A system and method which allows a cellular phone user to communicate with
a caller when the user is unable to speak aloud. The method comprises the
steps of establishing a wireless communication link between a wireless
terminal user and a second party and selectively activating at the
wireless terminal the transmission of at least one audible message for
receipt by the second party, wherein the audible message is responsive to
a message transmitted by the second party. The audible message may be
selected by the wireless terminal user from a plurality of audible
messages, such as a personalized message pre-recorded by the wireless
terminal user. According to other embodiments of the invention, the
wireless communication link may be initiated by either the second party or
by the wireless terminal user. Preferably, the activating step further
comprises activating a terminal function key, such as by pressing a key on
the wireless terminal's keypad or by selecting a menu item from a display
screen of the wireless terminal, corresponding to the transmitted message.
In one embodiment, the terminal is configured to have two such keys or
menu items positioned on the wireless terminal so as to be selected by the
wireless terminal user without removing the terminal from the user's ear.