Patent Publication Number: US-2007116190-A1

Title: System and method of providing access to web-based voice mail for TTY enabled devices

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      The present disclosure relates to voice mail systems.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Making voice mail accessible to text telephone/telecommunication device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) users is a challenge. One approach to solving this problem has included taking a typical telephone user interface, which plays spoken language prompts and accepts dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) tones, and reconfiguring that telephone user interface to play TTY prompts and accept TTY responses. As such, a TTY user can retrieve messages that are left using TTY tones.  
      Recently, web-based voice mail systems have been developed. These systems can allow a user to log into a voice mailbox over the Internet using a web browser. Messages are stored as audio files and the audio files can be downloaded by the user and played with software on the user computer, e.g., Windows Media Player, RealAudio, or Winamp. Alternatively, the audio files can be played using a plug-in or applet that is loaded as part of a web page presented at the user&#39;s browser.  
      Unfortunately, these systems do not accommodate deaf persons that use TTY devices. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram that is representative of a communication system; and  
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing voice mail;  FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method of retrieving voice mail;  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating an alternative method of providing voice mail; and  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram that is representative of a general computing system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A method of providing voice mail is disclosed and includes recording a text telephone (TTY) voice mail message. Further, the method includes receiving a request for a voice mail message from a web browser and transmitting the TTY voice mail message to the web browser.  
      In a particular embodiment, the method includes translating the TTY voice mail message to a text message and transmitting the text message to the web browser. In another particular embodiment, the method includes recording an audio voice mail message and translating the audio voice mail message to a second TTY voice mail message. Moreover, in a particular embodiment, the method can include transmitting the second TTY voice mail message to the web browser.  
      In yet another particular embodiment, the method includes recording an audio voice mail message, translating the audio voice mail message to a text message, and transmitting the text message to the web browser. Further, in another particular embodiment, the method can include transmitting the audio voice mail message with the text message.  
      In another embodiment, a method of receiving voice mail is disclosed and includes receiving a TTY voice mail message at a user computer having a web browser and translating the TTY voice mail message to a text message.  
      In yet another embodiment, a computer system is disclosed and includes a processor, a computer readable medium that is accessible to the processor, and a web browser that is embedded within the computer readable medium. In this embodiment, the web browser includes instructions to receive a TTY voice mail message and instructions to translate the TTY voice mail message to a text message.  
      In still another embodiment, a voice mail system is disclosed and includes a voice mail server. The voice mail server includes a processor, a computer readable medium that is accessible to the processor, a text telephone (TTY) translation application that is embedded within the computer readable medium. The TTY translation application can include instructions to receive a TTY voice mail message and instructions to transmit the TTY voice mail message to a remote computer.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a communication system is shown and is generally designated  100 . As depicted, the system  100  includes a voice mail server  102  that is coupled to a plain old telephone service (POTS) telephone  104  and a mobile telephone  106  via a telephone network  108 . In a particular embodiment, the telephone network  108  is a public switched telephone network or a cellular telephone network. As indicated in  FIG. 1 , a text telephone (TTY) device  110  can also be coupled to the voice mail server  102  via the telephone network  108 . In a particular embodiment, the TTY device  110  can be connected to the POTS telephone  104 . In an alternative embodiment, the TTY device  110  may be called a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). In a particular embodiment, the TTY device  110  can communicate with other TTY devices using discrete tones that represent the letters of the alphabet.  
       FIG. 1  also shows that a first user computer  112  and a second user computer  114  can communicate with the voice mail server  102  via a network, e.g., the Internet  116 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the voice mail server  102  includes a processor  118  and a memory  120  that is accessible to the processor  118 . Further, a voice mail application  122  can be embedded within the memory  120  of the voice mail server  102 . Also, a TTY translation application  124 , a speech recognition application  126 , and a text-to-speech (TTS) translation application  127  can be embedded within the voice mail server  102 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first user computer  112  includes a processor  128  and a memory  130  that is accessible to the processor  128 . A web browser application  132 , a TTY translation application  134 , a speech recognition application  136 , and a TTS translation application  137  can be embedded within the memory  130  of the first user computer  112 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the second user computer  114  includes a processor  138  and a memory  140  that is accessible to the processor  138 . A web browser application  142 , a TTY translation application  144 , a speech recognition application  146 , and a TTS translation application  147  can be embedded within the memory  140  of the second user computer  114 .  
       FIG. 1  further illustrates a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone  148  that is coupled to the Internet  116  and the telephone network  108  via a VolP network  150 . In a particular embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the VolP telephone  148  can include a processor  152  and a memory  154  that is accessible to the processor  152 . Moreover, a TTY translation application  156 , a speech recognition application  158 , and a TTS translation application can be embedded within the memory  154  of the VolP telephone  148 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a method of providing voice mail is shown and commences at block  200 . In a particular embodiment, one or more of the method steps depicted in  FIG. 2  can be executed by one or more of the applications  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  127  ( FIG. 1 ) stored within the memory  120  ( FIG. 1 ) of the voice mail server  102  ( FIG. 1 ).  
      Beginning at block  200 , a voice mail server receives a voice mail message, e.g., via a telephone call or directly from a voice mailbox. At decision step  202 , the voice mail server determines whether the call is a TTY call. If so, the method proceeds to block  204  and the voice mail server records a TTY voice mail message. The method then proceeds to block  206 .  
      Returning to decision step  202 , when the call is not a TTY call, the method continues to block  208  and the voice mail server records an audio voice mail message. Thereafter, the method moves to block  206 .  
      At block  206 , the voice mail server receives a request for voice mail from a voice mail user via a remote device, e.g., a computer, a TTY device, or a telephone. Proceeding to decision step  210 , the voice mail server determines whether the request is from a TTY device. If so, the method proceeds to decision step  212  and the voice mail server determines whether a TTY voice mail message is available. When a TTY voice mail message is available, the method moves to block  214  and the voice mail server transmits a TTY voice mail message to the TTY device. The method then ends at state  216 .  
      At decision step  212 , when a TTY voice mail message is not available, the method continues to block  218  and the voice mail server translates the audio voice mail message to a TTY voice mail message. Thereafter, the voice mail server transmits the TTY voice mail message to the TTY device at block  214  and the method ends at state  216 . In a particular embodiment, the voice mail server can translate the audio voice mail message to a TTY voice mail message using speech recognition software. In an alternative embodiment, the audio voice mail message can be translated into a text message and the text message can be translated into a TTY message.  
      Returning to decision step  210 , if the request is not from a TTY device, the method proceeds to decision step  218 . At decision step  218 , the voice mail server determines whether text is required. If text is not required, the method moves to block  220  and the voice mail server transmits an audio voice mail message to the requesting device. The method then ends at state  216 . Conversely, when text is required, the method continues to decision step  222  and the voice mail server determines whether a TTY voice mail message or an audio voice mail message is available.  
      When a TTY voice mail message is available, the method moves to block  224  and the voice mail server translates the TTY voice mail message to a text message. Next, at block  226 , the voice mail server transmits the text message to the requesting device. The method then ends at state  216 . At decision step  222 , when an audio voice mail message is available, the method moves to block  228  and the voice mail server  228  translates the audio voice mail message to a text message. In a particular embodiment, the translation of audio to text can be performed using a speech recognition application. Moving to block  226 , the voice mail server transmits the text message to the requesting device and the method then ends at state  216 .  
      In a particular embodiment, the voice mail server can transmit the audio voice mail message along with the text message. In a particular embodiment, the audio voice mail message and the text message can be transmitted to the requesting device via the Internet. Alternatively, the text message can be transmitted via a short messaging system (SMS). Additionally, the voice mail server can transmit an audio message, a text message, and a TTY message in a single message and the receiving device can determine which message to present to a user.  
      In a particular embodiment, the voice mail server can translate audio voice mail messages or TTY voice mail messages after receiving a request from a user. Alternatively, the voice mail server can translate audio voice mail messages or TTY voice mail messages on a per user basis.  
       FIG. 3  depicts a method of retrieving voice mail, e.g., via a web browser at a computer. In a particular embodiment, one or more of the method steps illustrated in  FIG. 3  can be performed by the applications  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  137 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  147  ( FIG. 1 ) stored within the memory  130 ,  140  ( FIG. 1 ) of each computer  112 ,  114  ( FIG. 1 ). Further, one or more of the method steps can be performed by the applications  156 ,  158 ,  160  ( FIG. 1 ) stored within the memory  154  ( FIG. 1 ) of the VolP telephone  148  ( FIG. 1 ).  
      Commencing at block  300 , a user requests voice mail, e.g., at a web browser interface. At block  302 , a voice mail message is received at the web browser from a web based voice mail server. Thereafter, at decision step  304 , the computer determines whether the voice mail message should be displayed as text. In a particular embodiment, a web browser at the computer can include a setting that a user can select in order to have voice mail messages displayed as text at the web browser.  
      At decision step  304 , when the voice mail message is not designated to be displayed as text, the method continues to block  306  and the computer transmits the audio voice mail message. In a particular embodiment, the computer plays the audio voice mail message and the audio voice mail message is transmitted to a user via one or more speakers coupled to the computer.  
      At decision step  304 , when the voice mail message is designated to be displayed as text, the method proceeds to decision step  310  and the computer determines whether a TTY voice mail message or an audio voice mail message has been received at the web browser of the computer. When a TTY voice mail message is received, the method proceeds to block  312  and the computer translates the TTY voice mail message to a text message. In a particular embodiment, the user computer, e.g., a TTY translation application at the user computer, translates the TTY voice mail message by receiving the TTY tones from the voice mail server and generating a text message that corresponds to the TTY tones. At block  314 , the computer displays the text message to the user, e.g., by displaying text on a computer screen. The method then ends at state  308 .  
      Returning to decision step  310 , when the voice mail message is an audio voice mail message, the method proceeds to block  316  and the computer, e.g., a speech to text application at the computer, translates the audio voice mail message to a text message. Moving to block  314 , the computer displays the text message. Thereafter, the method ends at state  308 .  
       FIG. 4  depicts an alternative method of providing voice mail. In a particular embodiment, one or more of the method steps illustrated in  FIG. 4  can be executed by one or more of the applications  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  127  ( FIG. 1 ) stored within the memory  120  ( FIG. 1 ) of the voice mail server  102  ( FIG. 1 ).  
      Commencing at block  400 , a TTY voice mail message is received, e.g., at a voice mail server. At block  402 , the voice mail server receives a request for a voice mail message. At decision step  404 , the voice mail server determines whether the request is for text or speech. When the request is for text, the method moves to block  406  and the voice mail server translates the TTY message to a text message. Next, at block  408 , the text voice mail message is transmitted to the requesting device. In a particular embodiment, the text voice mail message can be translated using short messaging services (SMS). The method then ends at state  410 .  
      Returning to decision step  404 , when the request is for speech, the method proceeds to block  412  and the voice mail server translates the TFY message to a text message. At block  414 , the voice mail server translates the text message to a speech message. In an illustrative embodiment, the voice mail server can translate the text message to a speech message using text-to-speech (TTS) logic. Moving to block  416 , the voice mail server transmits a speech voice mail message to the requesting device.  
      In a particular embodiment, the speech voice mail message can be transmitted using a voice channel, e.g., provided by a wireless telephone network, a POTS telephone network, or a VolP network. Then, the method ends at state  410 .  
      In a particular embodiment, the method steps described herein may be performed in the order described. However, in alternative methods, the method steps may be performed in one or more different orders.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system is shown and is designated  500 . The computer system  500  can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  500  to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system  500  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. In a particular embodiment, one or more of the components described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , e.g., the voice mail server  102 , the POTS telephone  104 , the mobile telephone  106 , the TTY device  1   10 , the first computer  1   12 , the second computer  1   14 , and the VolP telephone  148 , can include one or more of the elements described within the computer system  500 .  
      In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system  500  can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system  500  can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single computer system  500  is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the computer system  500  may include a processor  502 , e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system  500  can include a main memory  504  and a static memory  506  that can communicate with each other via a bus  508 . As shown, the computer system  500  may further include a video display unit  510 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system  500  may include an input device  512 , such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device  514 , such as a mouse. The computer system  500  can also include a disk drive unit  516 , a signal generation device  518 , such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device  520 .  
      In a particular embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the disk drive unit  516  may include a computer-readable medium  522  in which one or more sets of instructions  524 , e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions  524  may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions  524  may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory  504 , the static memory  506 , and/or within the processor  502  during execution by the computer system  500 . The main memory  504  and the processor  502  also may include computer-readable media.  
      In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.  
      In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein.  
      The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions  524  or receives and executes instructions  524  responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network  526  can communicate voice, video or data over the network  526 . Further, the instructions  524  may be transmitted or received over the network  526  via the network interface device  520 .  
      While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.  
      In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.  
      With the configuration of structure described above, the system and method of providing access to web-based voice mail for TTY enabled devices provides a way for deaf persons to receive voice mails at a computer. For example, a web browser at a computer can include a TTY translation module that can receive TTY voice mail messages and translate the TrY voice mail messages to text messages. Further, a voice mail server can include a TTY translation module that can translate TTY voice mail messages to text messages and transmit the text messages to one or more web browsers.  
      Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof.  
      The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.  
      One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.  
      The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.  
      The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.