Abstract: A call between a caller using a telephone device for the deaf (TDD), and requiring one or more types of expertise from a calling assistant, and another person, including a TDD user, is connected by automatically prompting the TDD caller for calling information, automatically identifying the expertise needed, including the language being used, selecting a communication assistant (CA) capable of speaking in the language and other expertise, routing the call to the selected CA, and connecting the call.

Abstract: A telephone network is modified so that callers making telephone calls can engage in a game of chance to win a prize without having had to specially dial the game processor, i.e., the telephone numbers of the telephone calls are independent of the game processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the game processor is part of the switch that processes calls through a telecommunications network. Upon conclusion of the game, the caller is supplied with an indication as to whether or not he is a winner and will receive a prize. The determination that a caller is a winner need be made only if the call was successfully completed, that is, routed to a destination at which the call is answered.

Abstract: A call between a caller using a telephone device for the deaf (TDD) using a one of a number of languages and another including a TDD user is connected by automatically prompting the TDD caller for calling information, automatically identifying the language being used, parsing the received calling information in the appropriate language to determine a forward number, selecting a communication assistant (CA) capable of speaking in the language routing the call to the selected CA, and connecting the call. One embodiment involves storing the forward number before routing the call so the selected CA can press a single button to connect the call. According to an embodiment of the invention, the calling information is passed directly to a number of language specific parsers and the successful parser determines the language being used.

Abstract: In a telecommunications relay system employing automated text-to-speech for conversion of a text message entered by a sound impaired person, the delay between the completion of the automated text-to-speech conversion and the assignment of a live shared attendant for transcribing and transmitting that which the unimpaired person says is eliminated by completing the text-to-speech conversion for each text message and its associated end-of-message code word without the introduction of any delay and, immediately thereafter, accepting and storing the unimpaired person's speech into a voice buffer at least until a live attendant is assigned to the relay session. When an attendant is eventually assigned to the call, the attendant retrieves the speech stored in the buffer.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device comprising a photoelastic screen having light reflecting edges and a unique light emitting/receiving module placed at two of the four corners of the screen advantageously determines the location at which a force is applied to the screen. Circularly and linearly polarized light focused into the photoelastic screen by the modules reflects off the edges of the screen and is returned to the modules where it is absorbed by a circular polarizer. The polarization of light passing through a point at which the screen is touched is changed thereby allowing these rays or signals to pass through each module's absorber. The location as well as the magnitude and direction of the force imparted to the screen by the touch is then determined from the changes in the signals that pass through the absorber.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device is arranged with substantially parallel surfaces which are at least partially transparent to light. A flexible membrane is supported above the top surface of the screen and when the overlay is flexed into contact with the screen, light which had passed through the screen, is trapped between the screen surfaces by total internal reflection. The edges of the screen are fitted with light detectors for gathering the trapped light. Using this arrangement positional determination of one or more screen touches is possible.

Abstract: The disclosed real time dictation arrangement time-shares several transcribers among various users requiring dictation service. The dictation from a user is partitioned into time sequential dictation segments. A controller unit distributes the segments of dictation from each of several users to several transcribers. Voice storage is provided so that users do not have to wait to speak and so that transcribers can pause or repeat the speech being worked on. The controller unit collects the transcribed dictation from the transcribers, and delivers the text to the proper user. A video terminal enables each user to see the transcribed dictation almost as fast as it is spoken, and enables the user to control by means of a cursor where transcribed text is to be inserted.