VOICE BRIDGE FOR RELAY CENTER

A relay center has a first telephone line (12) and a second telephone line (14). Data signals may be carried on the first telephone line (12) and received into a modem (20). A terminal or computer (22) then receives the data signals and converts the signals into readable characters viewable on a display (26). An operator then reads messages formed by the characters and voices them into a telephone (28) connected to the second telephone (14). The operator may also receive spoken words through the telephone (28) and transcribe via a keyboard (24) for transmission of data signals by the modem (20) and carried on the first telephone line (12). Upon a command received through the first telephone line (12) or made by the operator, a voice bridge (10) may be established which establishes a direct vocal link from either the first telephone line (10) to the second telephone line (12) or from the second telephone line (12) to the first telephone line (14 ). A second command disconnects the telephone (28) from the second telephone line (14) to prevent the operator from hearing the audio sounds carried by the voice bridge (10).