Wireless communication device with audio/text interface

• US 8,649,780 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Oh, DaeSik, Selznick, Dennis Allan, Burpee, Brent Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Doan, Kiet
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, DUNG LE
• Application Number:
  US12/013,053
• Time in Patent Office: 2,223 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 379/52, 455/414.4, 455/414.1, 455/466, 455/566
• US Class Current: 455/414.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/66 user interface aspects for indicating selection options for a communication line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems

Abstract

A wireless communication device is configured to visually prompt a user to initiate a text session, and to receive a text session request from the user including a called number. In response to the text session request, the device initiates the text session by placing a first call to a service node using a service node number, and transfers the called number to the service node over the first call. The service node then extends the text session by placing a second call to the called number. Once the text session is established, the device sends a first text message to the service node over the first call, and receives a second text message from the service node over the first call. The device then visually displays the second text message to the user.

Claims

1. A method for operating a wireless communication device, comprising:

visually prompting a user to initiate a text session and receiving a text session request from the user including a called number;

in response to the text session request, initiating the text session by placing a first call to a service node using a service node number, and transferring the called number to the service node over the first call, wherein the service node extends the text session by placing a second call to the called number;

sending a first text message to the service node over the first call;

receiving a second text message from the service node over the first call; and

visually displaying the second text message to the user;

wherein the service node is configured to;

receive the first text message from the wireless communication device over the first call,

translate the first text message to a first audio message,

transmit the first audio message to the called number over the second call,

receive a second audio message from the called number over the second call,

translate the second audio message to the second text message, and

transmit the second text message to the wireless communication device over the first call.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

authenticating the user; and

transmitting the authentication to the service node.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein authenticating the user includes receiving an account number from the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD).

5. A method for operating a wireless communication device, comprising:

receiving a first call from a calling communication device, visually prompting a user to request a text session, and receiving a text session request from the user;

in response to the text session request from the user, initiating the text session by placing a second call to a service node using a service node number, wherein the service node extends the text session by placing a third call to the wireless communication device;

receiving a first audio message from the calling communication device over the first call;

transmitting the first audio message to the service node over the second call;

receiving a first text message from the service node over the third call;

visually displaying the first text message to the user;

receiving a second text message from the user;

transmitting a second text message to the service node over the third call;

receiving a second audio message from the service node over the second call; and

transmitting the second audio message to the calling communication device over the first call.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the service node is configured to:

receive a first audio message from the wireless communication device over the second call;

translate the first audio message to a first text message;

transmit the first text message to the wireless communication device over the third call;

receive a second text message from the wireless communication device over the third call;

translate the second text message to a second audio message; and

transmit the second audio message to the wireless communication device over the second call.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

authenticating the user; and

transmitting the authentication to the service node.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein authenticating the user includes receiving an account number from the user.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the wireless communication device is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD).

10. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a communication interface, configured to wirelessly couple the wireless communication device to a communication network including a service node;

a user interface, including a display; and

a processor coupled to the communication interface and the user interface;

wherein the display is configured to visually prompt a user to request a text session;

wherein the user interface is configured to receive a request for a text session and a called number from the user, and output the request for a text session and the called number to the processor; and

wherein the processor is configured to;

connect to a service node through the communication interface in a first call;

signal the service node that a text session is requested;

transmit the called number to the service node through the communication interface over the first call; and

complete a text session to the called number through the service node, including;

sending a first text message to the service node over the first call;

receiving a second text message from the service node over the first call; and

visually displaying the second text message to the user;

wherein the service node is configured to;

receive the first text message from the wireless communication device over the first call;

translate the first text message to a first audio message;

transmit the first audio message to the called number in a second call;

receive a second audio message from the called number over the second call;

translate the second audio message to the second text message; and

transmit the second text message to the wireless communication device over the first call.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to authenticate the user, and transmit the authentication to the service node through the communication interface.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein authenticating the user includes receiving an account number from the user.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication device is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD).

14. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a communication interface, configured to wirelessly couple the wireless communication device to a communication network including a service node;

a user interface, including a display; and

a processor coupled to the communication interface and the user interface; and

wherein the communication interface is also configured to receive a first call from a calling communication device;

wherein the display is configured to notify a user that a first call is waiting, and visually prompt a user to request a text session;

wherein the user interface is configured to receive a request for a text session from the user, and output the request for a text session to the processor; and

wherein the processor is configured to;

select a service node within the communication network;

connect to the service node through the communication interface in a second call;

signal the service node that a text session is requested; and

complete a text session through the service node, including;

receiving a first audio message from the calling communication device over the first call;

transmitting the first audio message to the service node over the second call;

receiving a first text message from the service node over a third call;

visually displaying the first text message to the user;

receiving a second text message from the user;

transmitting a second text message to the service node over the third call;

receiving a second audio message from the service node over the second call; and

transmitting the second audio message to the calling communication device over the first call.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the service node is configured to:

receive a first audio message from the wireless communication device over the second call;

translate the first audio message to a first text message;

transmit the first text message to the wireless communication device over the third call;

receive a second text message from the wireless communication device over the third call;

translate the second text message to a second audio message; and

transmit the second audio message to the wireless communication device over the second call.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to authenticate the user, and transmit the authentication to the service node through the communication interface.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein authenticating the user includes receiving an account number from the user.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD).

19. A communication system, comprising:

a communication network; and

a service node within the communication network;

wherein the service node is configured to;

receive a text session request including a called number from a wireless communication device in a first call;

extend the text session by placing a second call to the called number;

receive a first text message from the wireless communication device over the first call;

translate the first text message to a first audio message;

transmit the first audio message to the called number over the second call;

receive a second audio message from the called number over the second call;

translate the second audio message to a second text message; and

transmit the second text message to the wireless communication device over the first call; and

wherein the service node is also configured to;

receive a text session request from the wireless communication device in a third call;

extend the text session by placing a fourth call to the wireless communication device;

receive a first audio message from the wireless communication device over the third call;

translate the first audio message to a first text message;

transmit the first text message to the wireless communication device over the fourth call;

receive a second text message from the wireless communication device over the fourth call;

translate the second text message to a second audio message; and

transmit the second audio message to the wireless communication device over the third call.

20. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the service node is also configured to authenticate a user of the wireless communication device.

21. The communication system of claim 20, wherein authenticating the user includes receiving an account number from the user.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the wireless communication device is a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD).