Nxi Communications, Inc.

Ronald J Nelson

Thomas J McLaughlin

James E Messinger

Jeff F Knighton

Alan S Call

The present invention is directed to a network communication system that provides textual communication and call transferring between nodes. The system further allows simultaneous notification of multiple nodes of an incoming call. The system includes a local computer that may also serve as a node in the system. A call may originate with the local computer or be generated by a remote device that is in communication with the local computer. The local computer generates a call indicator that is transmitted to one or more nodes simultaneously. Selection of the nodes may be based on user intervention or by predefined groupings. Each node receiving a call indicator is configured to generate a ring message in response. The ring message is displayed on an output device to alert a node user to the incoming call. In response to the ring message, a node user may choose to accept or decline the call. A node user's responses to the call indicator are transmitted to the local computer. Once the local computer receives an acceptance from a node, the local computer transmits call data representative of the call to the accepting node.

Network communication system

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.

A network communications system containing one or more nodes includes an ITU/TDD/VOICE modem in electrical communication with a local computer. A remote device connecting to the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem is able to converse in real time using textual characters with the local computer user. Once connected to the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem, the remote device is recognized by the network as an additional node. If the remote device wishes to textually communicate with a node on the network, the local computer formats the data into a network compatible format for transmission to the node. The local computer transmits the data to the node while communication between the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem and the remote device is maintained. Once the remote device is connected to the network, the network may treat the remote device as an additional node. Thus, the remote device may be privileged to some or all of the network services. Furthermore, the remote device may be allowed to utilize a network modem for connection to a second remote device.

A modem system includes an ITU/TDD/VOICE modem or other modem that is connected to a local computer and a telephone line. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem allows transmission and reception of ITU, TDD, and voice signals over the telephone line to and from a remote device (such as a remote TDD, ITU modem, or telephone). The modem system may include one or more of the following features. The modem system may be used in a network whereby an indicator on a display screen indicates sound energy received by the modem over the line. The modem system may allow speed jumps from one speed to another during a call. The modem system includes a display in which the screen is split into two vertical areas, to display text sent between remote computers. The text sent by one computer is displayed in the right vertical area, while the text of the other computer is displayed in the left area. The vertical placement of the texts are based on the relative time in which they were sent to the other person. The modem system may also provide a special provision for 300 BPS connections, voice recognition, typing during a file transfer, and prevention of file transfers and/or high speed transfers. A local modem may communicate control information to a remote modem to, for example, synchronize protocol settings.

ITU/TDD modem

A communication system includes an ITU/TDD/VOICE modem that is connected to a local computer and a telephone line. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem allows transmission and reception of ITU, TDD, and voice signals over the telephone line to and from a remote device. Examples of remote devices include a remote TDD or ITU modem (which connects to a remote computer), or a telephone. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem may operate in various modes including (1) a computer communications mode and (2) a stand alone mode. During computer communications mode, the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem is controlled by the local computer. During stand alone mode, the ITU/TDD/VOICE modem operates independently of the local computer. The stand alone mode may further include an answering machine mode and prestored outgoing message mode. The ITU/TDD/VOICE modem includes various other features including one or more of the following: a particular utilization of the transmit/receive LED's in TDD mode; the ability to reacquire a new ITU or TDD connection from TDD mode (i.e., reacquisition mode); techniques for minimizing answer tone duration; techniques for modem status query; techniques for silencing Baudot or ITU modulation during voice carry over or hearing carry over; uses for audio-in and audio-out connectors.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Ronald J Nelson