Telephone communications system for the deaf

Apparatus for use in receiving messages transmitted by pushbutton tone signaling means having a plurality of alphabetic pushbutton and a plurality of non-alphabetic pushbuttons, the alphabetic pushbuttons each having a plurality of alphabetic character markings and the alphabetic and non-alphabetic pushbuttons each generating distinct tone signals in response to actuation of a selected pushbutton, comprising:

• decoding means coupled to receive the distinct tone signals for producing distinct electrical signals corresponding to actuation of the selected pushbutton;
• means coupled to receive the distinct electrical signals for producing an alphabetic character address signal in response to receiving a first signal corresponding to actuation of a non-alphabetic pushbutton followed by a second signal corresponding to actuation of an alphabetic pushbutton;
• and
• display means coupled to receive the alphabetic character address signal for producing a visual display of an alphabetic character corresponding to a character marking of the plurality of alphabetic character markings of the actuated alphabetic pushbutton, the character marking having a similar relative position within the plurality of alphabetic character markings of the actuated alphabetic pushbutton as compared to the relative position of the actuated non-alphabetic pushbutton with respect to positions of said plurality of non-alphabetic pushbuttons on the pushbutton tone signaling means.