Patent ID: 7006604
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: G10L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a relay system using a call assistant to facilitate communication between a hearing user and an assisted user using a single telephone connection connecting to a personal interpreter located in the presence of both the hearing and assisted users, the hearing user speaking words in voice, the method comprising the steps of transmitting the voice of the hearing user when speaking over the single telephone connection to the ear of the call assistant; the call assistant speaking in voice the same words that the call assistant hears spoken by the hearing user into a microphone connected to a digital computer; the digital computer using voice recognition computer software trained to the voice of the call assistant to translate the words spoken by the call assistant into a digital text message stream containing the words spoken by the call assistant; transmitting both the digital text message stream and the voice of the hearing user over the single telephone connection back to the personal interpreter of the assisted user; displaying the digital text message stream by the personal interpreter within sight of the assisted person; and transmitting the voice of the hearing user to the personal interpreter which reproduces that voice for the assisted user.