Patent ID: 6535590
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: H04B,H04L,H04M,H04N

Abstract:
A telephony system comprising:a television which includes a screen for displaying images and at least one speaker for emitting audio information; a user interface which provides for the manipulation of images which appear on the screen; and a set-top box with a connection to a television and a telephonic network, said set top box includes: means for establishing a line of communication over the telephonic network in response to directional inputs received via the user interface wherein both voice and data connections are establishable; and an audio interface which provides for the two-way transmission of audio signals over the line of communication; processing means configured to perform the following functions: establishing a telephonic connection with an identified telephone number; establishing a connection over the internet and performing web browsing functions; and accessing identified email and voice mail accounts and generating audio and visual information relating thereto for presentation; a memory for storing phone numbers in a directory; a main page screen display which is presentable on the screen through which one or more of the functions may be initiated; and a plurality of additional interactive displays presentable on the screen which are accessible through the main page screen display through which the phone numbers and associated alphanumeric information stored in memory are selectable with the user interface to establish a voice or data connection over the telephonic network.