System, method, and apparatus for providing interpretive communication on a network

• US 20020069067A1
• Filed: 10/25/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KP Innovations2 LLC
• Original Assignee: KP Innovations 2, LLC (Thundershield, LLC)
• Inventors: Piccionelli, Gregory A., Klinefelter, Robert Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 7,792,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/270.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprises a system, method, and apparatus that provides for the utilization of a relatively real-time or near real-time interpretation or translation that may be utilized preferably for a relatively short duration of time on a network. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides online, real-time, short-duration interpreting services in a network-based format. In preferred embodiments, the interpreting system comprises at least one provider computer, such as a server, wherein the provider computer is capable of communicating with user computers via a network. In one preferred embodiment, the provider computer provides a series of web pages that allow access to the interpreting system, including, but not limited to, a request for service page, wherein a user can access the system and input a request for interpreting services. Interpreting services are then provided to a user and a third party desiring to communicate with the user via the network.

Claims

1. A communication services system on a computer network having a provider computer and at least one user computer, wherein the user computer is accessed by a first user and a second user, comprising:

means for receiving and transmitting audio and visual information between the provider computer and the user computer; and

an interpreter accessible via the provider computer;

wherein the interpreter can receive a request from the first user for interpretation services between the first user and the second user.

2. A communication services system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication services system comprises a plurality of user computers, each user computer having means for receiving and transmitting audio and visual information between the provider computer and the user computer, wherein the user computers are in electronic communication with each other and with the provider computer.

3. A communication services system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for receiving and transmitting audio and visual information contained within a first user computer and a second user computer are contained within a single housing having a first side and a second side, wherein the means for receiving and transmitting the audio and visual information for the first user computer resides on the first side of the housing and the means for receiving and transmitting the audio and visual information for the second user computer resides on the second side of the housing.

4. A communication services system on a computer network having a provider computer and a user computer, the system comprising:

at least one communication service provider, wherein the communication service provider has predefined provision of service criteria;

means for operating the provider computer to receive a request for communication services from a user via the user computer, the request for communication services including user-defined request criteria;

means for operating the provider computer to compare user-defined request criteria with the predefined provision of service criteria; and

means for providing the communication service provider to the user.

5. A communication services system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the user-defined criteria includes a criteria that the communication services provider is within a specified geographic area.

6. A communication services system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the communication service provider possesses a wireless communication device and is capable of providing communication services while translocating from one location to another.

7. A method for providing communication services on a computer network having a provider computer and a user computer, the communication services having a plurality of communication service providers, wherein each communication service provider has predefined provision of service criteria, the method comprising:

receiving a request for communication services on the provider computer from a user via the user computer, the request for communication services including user-selected request for service criteria;

comparing, on the provider computer, user-selected request for service criteria with the predefined provision of service criterion of the plurality of communication service providers to determine a degree of match;

choosing a communication service provider from the degree of match; and

providing, from the provider computer, the chosen communication service provider with the user, wherein the communication service provider provides communication services to the user.