Patent ID: 7333507

Claim:
A multi-modal network system for interpersonal communications comprising: a portal system for transmitting and receiving communications between various communications modes; a first communications channel providing connectivity between a first user and said portal system, said first communications channel being selected from the group of communications modes consisting of Public Switched Telephone Network, CATV with telephony, wireless telecommunications network, satellite communications network, PCS, GSM, Internet, World Wide Web, SONET, H320 video-conferencing (ISDN), and H323 video-conferencing (IP); a second communications channel providing connectivity between a second user and said portal system whereby said first user communications with said second user through said portal system, said second communications channel being selected from the group of communications modes consisting of Public Switched Telephone Network, CATV with telephony, wireless telecommunications network, satellite communications network, PCS, GSM, Internet, World Wide Web, SONET, H320 video-conferencing (ISDN), and H323 video-conferencing (IP); said first communications channel being selected independently from selection of said second communications channel; a data handling subsystem for identifying a first communication means being utilized over said first communications channel and a second communication means being utilized over said second communications channel; said first and second communications means being selectable from a group of communications means consisting of voice, facsimile, data, ASCII text, TTY-baudot, video or ASCII soft brail, said first communication means being selected independently from selection of said second communications means; said first communications means being selectable to accommodate personal communications preferences of the first user, said second communications means being selectable to accommodate personal communications preferences of the second user.