Pseudo-rich hybrid phone/browser

• US 20080040754A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Lai, Frederick Chee-Kiong
• Application Number:
  US11/476,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20080040754A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML

Abstract

A markup language specification is set forth for providing pseudo-rich media during phone calls, and to implement two endpoints that support this specification. Each implemented endpoint functions as a half-phone and half-browser, where the phone call consists partly of the traditional full-duplex audio stream between callers, supplemented by pseudo-rich media being transmitted from one party to the other. The pseudo-rich media includes, but is not limited to, text, pictures and hyperlinks.

Claims

1. A device for providing simultaneous audio and visual content, comprising:

at least one software component for receiving audio content over a full-duplex audio link and pseudo-rich media content relating to said audio content and which conforms to a markup language specification, and which includes at least one of text, image and hyperlink;

a speaker for reproducing said audio content; and

a display for reproducing said pseudo-rich media content.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one software component comprises separate browser and phone applications, separate data and phone signaling/audio protocols, separate transport protocol stacks and a packet data stack.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one software component comprises separate video and phone applications, separate video and phone signaling/audio protocols, separate transport protocol stacks and a packet data stack.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one software component comprises an integrated video and audio application, an integrated video and audio protocol, a transport protocol stack and a packet data stack.

5. A method of providing simultaneous audio and visual content for a portable electronic device, comprising:

transmitting audio content and pseudo-rich media content relating to said audio content, wherein said pseudo-rich media content conforms to a markup language specification and includes at least one of text, pictures and hyperlinks;

reproducing said audio content from a speaker of said portable electronic device; and

reproducing said pseudo-rich media content on a screen of said portable electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting messages responsive to said audio content and pseudo-rich media content, thereby initiating generation of further audio content and pseudo-rich media content responsive to said messages.

7. A communication system, comprising:

a server for generating simultaneous audio and pseudo-rich media content relating to said audio content, wherein said pseudo-rich media content conforms to a markup language specification and includes at least one of text, pictures and hyperlinks; and

a device for receiving and reproducing said simultaneous audio and pseudo-rich media content, and for transmitting messages to said server responsive to said audio content and pseudo-rich media content, whereupon said server generates further audio content and pseudo-rich media content responsive to said messages.

8. The communication system of claim 7 wherein said server transmits said audio content to said device over a full-duplex audio link and said pseudo-rich media content over a data link.

9. The communication system of claim 7, wherein said device includes separate browser and phone applications, separate data and phone signaling/audio protocols, separate transport protocol stacks, a packet data stack and a physical layer.

10. The communication system of claim 8 wherein said device includes separate video and phone applications, separate video and phone signaling/audio protocols, separate transport protocol stacks, a packet data stack and a physical layer.

11. The communication system of claim 7 wherein said device includes an integrated video and audio application, an integrated video and audio protocol, a transport protocol stack, a packet data stack and a physical layer.

12. The communication system of claim 7 wherein said server implements an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

13. The communication system of claim 12, wherein said Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a voice recognition capability for recognizing and responding to user voiced commands.