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Abstract

In one exemplary embodiment, an audio/telephone communication system for verbally handicapped individuals is disclosed that comprises a programmed computer, and a matrix of touch-sensitive contacts carrying an overlay removably attached thereto and symbolically displaying for sensory perception and random selection by an operator each of a plurality of message commands associated with a preselected and prerecorded vocabulary of spoken messages, and in response to the operator selection the contact matrix generating data signals identifying the selected messages and control commands for application to the computer. An expansion memory is interconnected to the computer and has stored therein the preselected command data and digital message data representative of the message vocabulary. A digital to analog converter is provided that receives and responds to the digital message data retrieved by the computer from the memory for regenerating the selected audio messages and applying the regenerated messages to a speaker. An interface circuit establishes direct interconnection between the digital to analog converter and the speaker, and further establishes communication between the computer, the digital to analog converter and a telephone line for interconnecting the system to the telephone line in response to a plurality of computer generated signals.