TTD Gateway Protocol Conversion for Instant Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Instant messaging on Personal Computers and cellular telephones is expensive and inconvenient due to the cost of hardware and the difficulty of typing on phone keypads, necessitating alternative solutions for communication, especially for individuals with communication disabilities.

Innovation Solution

A Text Terminal for the Deaf (TTD) device gateway that converts between TTD tones and text, enabling participation in instant messaging and chat sessions by establishing connections with instant messaging services and acting as an intermediary between different communication protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Personal Computers are used for instant messaging, then communication functionality is provided, but hardware cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstant messaging capabilityVSAvoidoperating system and application software complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary between TTD devices and the instant messaging network. The gateway handles protocol conversion, session management, and message routing, allowing TTD devices to participate in IM conversations without requiring complex local software or processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables use of inexpensive TTD devices instead of expensive PCs for instant messaging. The TTD devices are simple, low-cost terminals that rely on the gateway server for complex functions, making IM accessible to users with communication disabilities without requiring expensive hardware investments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If Personal Digital Assistants or cellular telephones are used for instant messaging, then portability is improved, but hardware cost and usage cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidhardware cost and wireless usage fees

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway server acts as an intermediary that enables TTD devices to access instant messaging services over existing telephone infrastructure. This eliminates the need for expensive wireless data plans or specialized mobile hardware, as TTD devices can use standard voice call capabilities to communicate with the gateway and other IM users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If cellular telephone keypad is used for typing, then device simplicity is maintained, but typing convenience and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidtyping convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The TTD devices are equipped with specialized keyboards and display screens designed for efficient text input and reading. The devices handle their own text input and display functions locally, while the gateway handles network communication and protocol conversion, allowing users to type and read messages conveniently without relying on cellular telephone keypads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7580977B1System for using text terminal for the deaf (TTD) devices for internet instant messaging and chat sessions

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A gateway receives a call from a Text Terminal for the Deaf (TTD) device associated with an instant messaging or chat session. The gateway establishes the instant messaging or chat session on behalf of the TTD device and then converts between the TTD tones used by the TTD device and text used in the instant messaging or chat session.