System and method for retrieving internet data files using a screen-display telephone terminal

• US 5,923,738 A
• Filed: 07/29/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Kredo, Thomas, Cardillo, IV, Raymond A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US08/901,763
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.05-93.09, 379/93.12-93.15, 379/93.17-93.31, 379/93.37, 379/110.01, 379/387, 379/900
• US Class Current: 379/93.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal

Abstract

A screen-display telephone terminal for interfacing with the Internet. A browser device located on an ADSI capable telephone platform server retrieves requested data files from an Internet site and formats the retrieved data file specifically for display on the screen-display telephone terminal. The browser also permits a link between ADSI specific applications by giving the screen-display telephone terminal imbedded softkey commands that may be used to retrieve other data files including ADSI applications.

Claims

1. A method for accessing the Internet from at least one ADSI screen-display telephone terminal and retrieving data files from an Internet site location, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at an ADSI telephone terminal, an Internet data file request, wherein the Internet data file request represents an Internet data file selected by a user;

transmitting the Internet data file request to an ADSI telephony platform server;

receiving, from the telephony platform server, the data file corresponding to the Internet data file requested, wherein said data file is formatted for display on the ADSI telephone terminal; and

displaying the received data file on the screen-display of the ADSI telephone terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the Internet data file request further includes the substeps of

presenting a selection of Internet site locations on the screen-display of the ADSI terminal, wherein said selection of Internet site locations correspond to a selection of data files that may be retrieved;

and

receiving the Internet data file request through at least one of a softkey selection device or a numeric keypad selection device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the Internet data file requested is formatted in a markup language, and wherein the step of receiving the data file further includes

receiving a data display block formatted for display on the ADSI terminal.

4. An ADSI screen-display telephone terminal for receiving and displaying a data file retrieved from an external server apparatus, the terminal comprising:

an integrated screen-display for presenting a user with a selection of data files and displaying the retrieved data file;

a data file selection device, connected to the screen-display, for transmitting a data file selection signal to a telephony platform server; and

a receiver apparatus, connected to the integrated screen-display, for receiving the retrieved data file in response to the data file selection signal.

5. The telephone terminal in claim 4, wherein the data file selection device further includes

means for receiving, from the user, a data file selection message through at least one of a soft key selection device or a numeric keypad selection device.

6. The telephone terminal in claim 4, wherein the external server apparatus is an ADSI server apparatus, and wherein the data file is an ADSI application.

7. The telephone terminal in claim 4, wherein external server apparatus is an Internet server apparatus, and wherein the data file is an Internet data file formatted in a markup language.

8. The telephone terminal in claim 4, further including

a key pad;

a handset receiver;

a memory device for storing a plurality of script application files and softkey placement commands received from the telephony platform server;

a means for receiving an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) message from the telephony platform server; and

a speaker, connected to the means for receiving, for transmitting the IVR message to the user.

9. The telephone terminal in claim 7, wherein the markup language is a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

10. The telephone terminal in claim 7, wherein the markup language is a Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML).