Multi modal communications system

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 multi-modal communications system for facilitating multiple translations comprising:

• a portal system providing high level system control and routing;
• a first communications mode providing connectivity between a first user and said portal system;
• a second communications mode providing connectivity between a second user and said portal system whereby said first user communications with said second user through said portal system;
• said first and second communications modes being independently selectable 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, and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN);
• said portal system serving as a switching network and translator between said first and second communication modes;
• said first communications mode being associated with a communications means selected from the group of communications means consisting of voice only, voice and video, video, text, or ASCII soft brail;
• said second communications mode being associated with a communications means selected from the group of communications means consisting of voice only, voice and video, video, text, or ASCII soft brail;
• a mode translator operationally interacting with said portal system, said mode translator facilitating translation between said first communication mode and said second communication mode;
• said first user using a first language to communicate with said portal system;
• said second user using a second language to communicate with said portal system;
• a language translator operationally interacting with said portal system to translate between first language and message data, said language translator operationally interacting with said portal system to translate between said second language and message data.