Abstract: A system and method for enabling telephone network subscribers using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) to communicate with other network subscribers lacking such a device. The TDD user dials a number that connects them with an automatic relay switch (ARS). The ARS determines the intended recipient of the call and establishes a connection to them. The TDD user then transmits a message in TDD format to the ARS, which converts it into an ASCII text file that is in turn provided to a text-to-speech (TTS) engine that synthesizes a voice message from the text file. The voice message is then sent to the non-TDD-enabled subscriber. The ARS then preferably prompts the non-TDD-enabled subscriber to enter a response. The response may be made by voice communication or by using the telephone keypad to send dual-tone multi-frequency tones back to the ARS according to instructions that were provided to the called party for this purpose.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling telephone network subscribers using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) to communicate with other network subscribers lacking such a device. The TDD user dials a number that connects them with an automatic relay switch (ARS). The ARS determines the intended recipient of the call and establishes a connection to them. The TDD user then transmits a message in TDD format to the ARS, which converts it into an ASCII text file that is in turn provided to a text-to-speech (TTS) engine that synthesizes a voice message from the text file. The voice message is then sent to the non-TDD-enabled subscriber. The ARS then preferably prompts the non-TDD-enabled subscriber to enter a response. The response may be made by voice communication or by using the telephone keypad to send dual-tone multi-frequency tones back to the ARS according to instructions that were provided to the called party for this purpose.