Abstract: A telephone device is customized with an indicator for presenting call connection status information to hearing impaired or deaf users. The telephone device detects call status events, such as ringing and busy signals, and presents the call status via the display. The telephone device also receives codes indicating particular call status events. A telephone device may generate a code, which indicates that the user is hearing impaired. Thus, devices receiving this code may perform particular functions in response to such a code. Public switches and public branch exchanges may also be modified to generate and deliver call status codes or messages. The present invention may also deliver call status information through another medium, such as a computer network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows a user of a message transmission device such as a digital phone or a pager to create a user defined list of words, symbols, macros or graphics, and further allows the user to use each entry as a macro, in order to select words or string text from a predefined dictionary and place the expanded content of the macro in a message on a display when composing a text message. When a message is composed, a linked list of words, symbols, macros or graphics from an existing dictionary comprises the message. Additionally, text or voice recordings may be inserted into the message. Also, when the user receives an inbound message, the contents of the message can be used to update the dictionary by selecting (e.g. for example, highlighting or other selection mechanisms) each word or several words in the message, followed by storing the highlighted word or text and selecting the complete message and storing its contents as a macro.