Network communication system

• US 6,501,779 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NexTalk, NXi Communications, Inc. (NexTalk)
• Original Assignee: NXi Communications, Inc. (NexTalk)
• Inventors: Nelson, Ronald J., Knighton, Jeff F., Messinger, James E., McLaughlin, Thomas J., Call, Alan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/579,569
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 379/52, 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 370/352, 370/356, 709/212, 709/219, 345/348, 345/352, 345/329
• US Class Current: 372/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

A communication system allows a remote user to access a web site across a PSTN using a conventional text device such as a TTY device. The web site is configured with text, menu options, and communication transfer capabilities as may be found in an automated telephone service. The system includes a text gateway module in electrical communication with the text device. The text gateway module receives text data generated by the text device and directs the text data to a text/web translator. The web/text translator converts the text data into web data suitable for use by a web site and server. The web/text translator transmits the web data to a web gateway module that directs the web data to a specified web site. The web/text translator further receives from the web gateway module web data generated by the web site. The web/text translator converts the web data to text data which is readable by the text device. The text data is then transmitted to the text gateway module and then passed to the text device. The web/text translator converts text, graphical icons, menu options, and communication links within a web site into equivalent forms of text data. A remote deaf user may read and select different options that previously were available only in a automated telephone service.

Claims

1. A communication system to enable a remote user using a TTY text device to communicate across a PSTN with a web site hosted on a server, comprising:

a text gateway module in electrical communication with the TTY and configured to receive and convey text data generated by the TTY;

a web gateway module in electrical communication with the server and configured to receive and convey web data; and

a web/text translator in electrical communication with the text gateway module and the web gateway module and configured to convert text data into a web data suitable for communication with a web site on the server and further configured to convert web data into a text data suitable for communication with the TTY, and separate blocks of text data and insert command options between the blocks, the command options providing control of the viewing of the blocks of text data.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the web/text translator is further configured to convert graphical icons represented by web data to text menus represented by text data.

3. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the web/text translator is further configured to convert a link represented by web data to a transfer command option represented by text data.

4. The communication system of claim 3 further comprising a chat module in electrical communication with the web/text translator and configured to provide dual communication between a remote user and a local user,

wherein the web/text translator is further configured that upon receipt of a transfer command, the web/text translator directs communication from the remote user to the chat module.

5. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the chat module is further configured to prompt a local user for initiation of a communication session.

6. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the chat module is further configured to provide voice communication from the remote user and text data from the local user.

7. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the web/text translator is further configured to direct communication from the remote user to a message storage if the chat module is non-responsive.

8. A method for a remote user using a TTY text device to communicate across a PSTN with a web site hosted on a server, the method comprising:

receiving text data generated by the TTY and directed to the web site;

converting the text data into web data suitable for communication with the web site;

directing the web data to the web site;

receiving web data generated by the web site;

converting the web data into text data suitable for communication with the TTY;

separating text data into blocks;

generating command options that control viewing of the blocks;

inserting the command options between the blocks; and

directing the text data to the text device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising,

receiving graphical icons represented by web data;

converting the graphical icons to text menus represented by text data; and

directing the text menus to the text device.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising,

receiving a link represented by web data;

converting the link to a transfer command option represented by text data; and

directing the transfer command option to the text device.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising,

receiving a transfer command from the text device;

directing communication from the text device to a local user reflected in the transfer command; and

enabling a two way communication session between the remote user and the local user.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising prompting a local user for confirmation to initiate a two way communication session.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing voice communication from the remote user and text data communication from the local user.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising directing communication from the remote user to a message storage if the local user is non-responsive.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising,

receiving a phone number across the PSTN from a remote user;

identifying the phone number dialed;

linking the phone number to the web site; and

placing the remote user in communication with the web site.

16. A computer readable medium containing instructions for a method to enable a remote user using a TTY text device to communicate across a PSTN with a web site hosted on a server, the method comprising:

receiving text data generated by the TTY and directed to the web site;

converting the text data into web data suitable for communication with the web site;

directing the web data to the web site;

receiving web data generated by the web site;

converting the web data into text data suitable for communication with TTY;

separating text data into blocks;

generating command options that control viewing of the blocks;

inserting the command options between the blocks; and

directing the text data to the TTY.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises,

receiving graphical icons represented by web data;

converting the graphical icons to text menus represented by text data; and

directing the text menus to the text device.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises,

receiving a link represented by web data;

converting the link to a transfer command option represented by text data; and

directing the transfer command option to the text device.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein the method further comprises,

receiving a transfer command from the text device;

directing communication from the text device to a local user reflected in the transfer command; and

enabling a two way communication session between the remote user and the local user.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein the method further comprises prompting a local user for confirmation to initiate a two way communication session.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein the method further comprises providing voice communication from the remote user and text data communication from the local user.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein the method further comprises directing communication from the remote user to a message storage if the local user is non-responsive.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises,

receiving a phone number across the PSTN from a remote user;

identifying the phone number dialed;

linking the phone number to the web site; and

placing the remote user in communication with the web site.