Communication system including a client controlled gateway for concurrent voice/data messaging with a data server

摘要

A communication system includes a client controlled gateway enabling concurrent voice/data transmission in a distributed information network and a communication network between the client and a service representative of a host system provider. A computer and a modem couple the client to the gateway in the communication network over a single communication path. The computer includes a browser for searching the distributed network. The browser includes "plug-in" programs which interact with the data server in supporting voice calls between the client and the host system. The gateway functions as a shared voice data (SVD) server to couple the client to the data server after authentication of the client's identification (ID) and password. The gateway transfers data between the client and the data server over the distributed network in accordance with screens presented to the client by the host system. Concurrently, voice service is provided between a representative of the host system and the client over the communication network using "action buttons" appearing in selected screens presented to the client by the host system provider over the distributed network. One "action button" enables the client to initiate voice transmissions over the communication network concurrently while data is being transmitted over the distributed network. Another "action button" enables the host provider to initiate voice transmission over the communication network concurrently while data is being transmitted over the distributed network.