Abstract:
A system and method are described that allow for both call control data and voice data to be transferred between a mobile radiotelephone and a set-top box or residential gateway. When a mobile radiotelephone is placed into a docking station or near the set-top box or residential gateway, both devices recognize the other&#39;s presence. Subsequently, when a user is watching programming such as a broadcast movie, a VOD movie, a television show stored on a DVR or a movie stored on a DVD, the programming can be paused and the user is alerted when an incoming call is received on the mobile radiotelephone. The user can talk to the calling party using the set-top box or residential gateway and later return to the programming.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a set-top box, and more specifically, to a method and system for operating a set-top box or residential gateway in conjunction with a mobile radiotelephone. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various systems and devices have been developed to enhance and provide users with entertainment or informational content. One such device is the television set-top box or residential gateway used in many households. Set-top boxes and residential gateways deliver content in various formats such as audio, video, both audio and video, text and data. This content is accessible to a user through an output device, such as a television, which is coupled to the set-top box. 
         [0003]    Other systems and devices have been developed to enhance and provide users with the ability to communicate with one another. Mobile radiotelephones are examples of devices used in communications. A person can use a mobile radiotelephone to transmit voice, data, text messages or even audio/video clips. A mobile radiotelephone is able to transmit and receive data wirelessly. 
         [0004]    The concurrent use of a set-top box or residential gateway and the mobile radiotelephone can be inconvenient. For example, when a user receives a phone call on a mobile radiotelephone while watching a broadcast channel on a television through a set-top box or residential gateway, the user has to locate the mobile radiotelephone in the home in order to receive the call. Concurrently, the user also has to lower the volume of the television or move away from it in order to hear the other person over the phone. Finally, if the user desires to focus all of his attention on the phone call, the user will have to either pause the rendering of the recorded content or begin recording the received broadcast content. Thus, a user must operate both his mobile radiotelephone and his remote control associated with the set-top box or residential gateway concurrently in order to a) receive or make a call and b) not miss any of the entertainment or informational content being output by the set-top box or residential gateway. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a system that includes a mobile radiotelephone and a set-top box or residential gateway. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a partial block diagram of a set-top box or residential gateway. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a partial block diagram of a mobile radiotelephone. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a partial block diagram of a detector in a set-top box or residential gateway or mobile radiotelephone. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows a flow chart of a method for answering a call by using the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows a flow chart of a method for initiating a call using the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0011]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a system  100  that includes a set-top box or residential gateway  102  and a mobile radiotelephone  104 . Examples of the set-top box or residential gateway  102  include, but are not limited to, an Internet Protocol (IP) set-top box and a digital set-top box. Examples of the mobile radiotelephone  104  include, but are not limited to, a CDMA mobile phone, a GSM mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a third generation (3G) phone, a cordless phone and a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone. 
         [0013]    Coupled to set-top box or residential gateway  102  is a home theater/stereo  106 , a television  108  and a PC  110 . These devices receive output signals from set-top box or residential gateway  102  and render the content for the user to consume. It should be noted that other types of devices can also be coupled to set-top box or residential gateway  102  to render content. 
         [0014]    In system  100 , mobile radiotelephone  104  is coupled to set-top box or residential gateway  102  via a docking station  112  integrated into set-top box or residential gateway  102 . Docking station  112  provides a wired connection between mobile radiotelephone  104  and set-top box or residential gateway  102 . The user physically sits mobile radiotelephone  104  into docking station  112 . In addition to providing a communication pathway, docking station  112  may also charge the battery in mobile radiotelephone  104  when connected. It should be noted that in other systems docking station  112  may not be integrated into set-top box or residential gateway  102  but may instead be a stand-alone unit that is plugged into set-top box or residential gateway  102 . The wired connection(s) that couple mobile radiotelephone  104  and set-top box or residential gateway  102  could be any of a number of types of connections that include Base Power Lines (BPL), coaxial cable, USB port or Ethernet. 
         [0015]    In another implementation, mobile radiotelephone  104  is coupled to set-top box or residential gateway  102  via a wireless connection. In such an implementation, docking station  112  is not needed. Examples of wireless communication media that may be used in system  100  include Bluetooth™, infrared (IR), 802.11x, 802.16x, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). 
         [0016]    Set-top box or residential gateway  102  may also include a network interface  114 . Interface  114  is coupled to an external network such as a cable, satellite or terrestrial broadcast network. Thus when a user wants to consume data, audio or video content that resides outside of the home, the user can receive it via network interface  114 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a set-top box or residential gateway  102 . Set-top box or residential gateway  102  includes a cable, satellite or terrestrial broadcast interface  205  (shown as  114  in  FIG. 1 ). An interface is a circuit and/or software that either receives signals, transmits signals or both. If an interface is wireless, it will typically include an antenna, one or more amplifiers and it may include one or more filters and a modulator and/or demodulator. A typical wired interface will include one-half of a plug and receptacle combination, amplifiers and it may also include one or more filters and a modulator and/or a demodulator. 
         [0018]    Content such as audio, video or data is received by interface  205  and forwarded to processor  210 . Processor  210  receives the signals from interface  205  and performs operations such as tuning, decrypting, decoding etc. The processed signals are output from processor  210  and forwarded to multiplexer  215  and video mixer  220 . Depending on the state of the multiplexer  215  and video mixer  220 , the output signals from processor  210  are forwarded to audio output interface  225  and video output interface  230 , respectively. Audio output interface  225  forwards the received signals to a stereo, a speaker(s) or a set of headphones (not shown). Video output interface  230  forwards the received signals to a display such as a television or PC monitor (not shown). Processor  210  also receives signals from hard disc drive  235 . Hard disc drive  235  is a magnetic disc that stores content such as television shows and movies received on interface  205 . Once stored, the movies or shows can then be read off of hard disc drive  235  and output via audio output interface  225  and video output interface  230 . Processor  210  can also receive signals from optical disc drive  270  in a similar fashion as was described with respect to the hard disc drive  235 . Examples of optical disc drives include CD ROM and DVD drives. 
         [0019]    Set-top box or residential gateway  102  also includes a mobile radiotelephone interface  240 . Mobile radiotelephone interface  240  wirelessly couples to mobile radiotelephone  104  in  FIG. 1 . Mobile radiotelephone interface  240  receives signals from an external, wireless network and forwards them to processor  245 . Like processor  210 , processor  245  processes the received signals and performs such operations as tuning, decrypting, decoding, etc. The output of processor  245  is forwarded to multiplexer  215  and video multiplexer  220  and then onto audio output interface  225  and video output interface  230  as previously described. 
         [0020]    Controller  250  issues control signals and receives input from some or all of the other elements shown in  FIG. 2  (connecting lines have been omitted for the sake of clarity). Also included is memory  255  coupled to processor  210 , processor  245  and controller  250 . Memory  255  is typically a semiconductor memory such as RAM or ROM. Memory  255  stores computer programs and instructions that can be executed by the controller  250  and other parts shown in  FIG. 2 . Memory  255  also stores data that may be part of a graphical user interface (GUI), address or contact information that includes telephone numbers, pictures of people or places or sound clips that are rendered on a television or played through a set of speakers. 
         [0021]    A user inputs signals into set-top box or residential gateway  102  using a remote control (not shown) via a remote control interface  260 . The signals received by interface  260  are forwarded to controller  250 . Detector  265  detects the presence of mobile radiotelephone  104  as will be described later. Finally, set-top box or residential gateway  102  may include a microphone  275  in one implementation. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of a mobile radiotelephone  104 . Mobile radiotelephone  104  includes a radio interface  305 . Interface  305  receives voice, video, data or call control data from the network and forwards them to processor  310 . Examples of the networks that interface  305  can communicate with include GSM and CDMA. Call control data is data or an instruction that is not voice, video or audio data intended for human consumption, but is instead data or an instruction that is needed by the system and network to establish, maintain, manipulate and terminate calls. Examples of call control data include a telephone number, a hang-up or disconnect request and a request to enter a phone number. 
         [0023]    Interface  305  forwards the signals it receives to processor  310 . Processor  310  processes those signals and performs such operations as tuning, decoding, decrypting and decompressing the received signals. Processor  310  outputs signals to demultiplexers  315  and  320 . Demuxes  315  and  320  forward signals to speaker  325  and screen  330  or set-top interface  335  depending on their respective states. 
         [0024]    Set-top interface  335  also receives voice signals from set-top box or residential gateway  102  and forwards them to multiplexer  345 . Mux  345  also receives voice signals from microphone  340 . Similarly, interface  335  receives data such as alphanumeric or call control data from set-top box or residential gateway  102  and forwards it to mux  355 . Mux  355  also receives alphanumeric and/or call control data from keypad  350 . Interface  335  also receives video data from set-top box or residential gateway  102  and forwards it to mux  365 . Mux  365  also receives video data from camera  360 . Muxes  345 ,  355  and  365  all output data to processor  310 . 
         [0025]    Controller  370  is coupled to some, if not all, of the blocks shown in  FIG. 3  (connecting lines are omitted for the sake of clarity). Controller  370  issues control signals to and receives input signals from the various other blocks shown in  FIG. 3 . As an example, controller  370  controls the states of demuxes  315  and  320  and muxes  345 ,  355  and  365 . Controller  370  is any type of processor that instructs other subsystems in mobile radiotelephone  104  to operate in a particular manner. 
         [0026]    Mobile radiotelephone  104  also includes a detector  375  for detecting the presence of a set-top box or residential gateway  102  and memory  380  that stores program instructions and/or contact information. Memory  380  may also store pictures, video files or audio files. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of detector  265  or  375 . Detector  265  or  275  includes memory  405  coupled to a logic block  410 . Logic block  410  is coupled to transceiver or interface  415 . Logic block  410  outputs signals to controller  250 . 
         [0028]    In a wired implementation memory  405  may be omitted and interface  415  may be a pin on a port that couples to docking station  112 . Once interface  415  receives the signal from the docking station  112 , it forwards it to logic block  410 . Logic block  410  determines if the received signal is valid and if so, issues a data signal to controller  250  or  370  informing it of that fact. As an example, logic block  410  could perform a simple comparison of the received signal against a stored signal (stored in memory  405 ) to determine the validity of the received signal. However, in another implementation, detector  265  or  375  could be omitted entirely and the signal sent from docking station  112  could be input directly into controller  250  or  370  for checking. 
         [0029]    A wireless implementation of detector  265  or  375  will also include an antenna (not shown). A wireless detector  265  or  370  will operate such that logic  410  periodically retrieves a signature signal from memory  405  and forwards it to transceiver  415 . A signature signal is one that distinguishes one device, such as a mobile radiotelephone, from other similar devices. In one implementation, a signature signal is unique to every mobile radiotelephone and set-top box or residential gateway  102 . One example of a signature signal includes an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number used in mobile radiotelephones. 
         [0030]    Transceiver  415  outputs the signature signal. If the receiving device receives the signature signal, it will transmit an acknowledgment signal that is then received by transceiver  415  and forwarded to logic block  410 . Logic block  410  then retrieves another data value from memory  405  to compare against the received acknowledgement signal. If the received signal is proven to be a valid acknowledgment signal, logic block  410  will output a signal to controller  250  or  370  informing it of this fact. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that a wireless implementation of a detector should have limits. That is, in one implementation, when mobile radiotelephone  104  is within approximately 10 meters of set-top box or residential gateway  104 , the signature and acknowledgement signals will be read by the respective devices. However, as this distance increases, the signals drop in strength so that signature and acknowledgment signals are not detectable by the devices. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a flowchart for a process for passing call data between mobile radiotelephone  104  and set-top box or residential gateway  102 . Call data includes both voice data and call control data as well as pictures, video clips and messages sent that are intended to be consumed by a user. The process begins at step  505  where mobile radiotelephone  104  and set-top box or residential gateway  102  detects each other. In one implementation, this step is initiated when the user places mobile radiotelephone  104  into docking station  112 . When mobile radiotelephone  104  makes contact with docking station  112 , a signal is sent from docking station  112  into both the set-top box or residential gateway  102  and mobile radiotelephone  104  via interface  415 . Logic block  410  receives this signal and compares it to another signal stored in memory  405 . If the signals match, logic block  410  outputs a control signal to controllers  250  and  370 , respectively. In response, controllers  250  and  370  change the state of set-top box or residential gateway  102  and mobile radiotelephone  104 , respectively, to allow them to exchange data via interfaces  260  and  335 . As an example, demux  315  is set so that audio signals output from processor  310 , which will typically be the calling party&#39;s voice or a ringing indicator, will be forwarded to interface  335  instead of speaker  325 . This not only saves power in the mobile radiotelephone  104  by not having to drive speaker  325 , it also forwards the signal to the set-top box or residential gateway  102  for output via a television or set of speakers. 
         [0033]    In another implementation of docking station  112 , the user first places mobile radiotelephone  104  into docking station  112  and then presses a button that causes the respective signals to be sent as previously described. 
         [0034]    In yet another implementation, detectors  265  and  355  may be wireless devices. One or both devices emit a signature signal periodically indicating its presence. If only one device emits a signature signal, the other receives it via transceiver  415 . This signature signal is compared to a stored value in memory  405  by logic block  410 . If logic block  410  determines there is a match, it issues a signal to controller  250  or  370 . Controller  250  or  370  then changes the state of set-top box or residential gateway  102  or mobile radiotelephone  104 , respectively. Logic block  410  then retrieves an acknowledgment signal from memory  405  and forwards it to transceiver  415 . Transceiver  415  then transmits the acknowledgment signal. When the other device receives that acknowledgment signal, it then knows it is in the presence of the first device. If both devices emit a signature signal, then both devices will respond with their respective acknowledgment signals. Examples of the wireless communication medium that may be used by transceivers  415  include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth™, infrared (IR), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), 802.11x, 802.16× and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). 
         [0035]    The final sub-step of the detecting step is both controllers  250  and  375  are initialized so that set-top box or residential gateway  102  and mobile radiotelephone  104  to pass call data between each other, if the user chooses, as will described later. As an example, demuxes  315  and  320  are set to output signals from processor  310  to interface  335 . Muxes  345 ,  355  and  365  are set to output signals received from interface  335  to processor  310  instead of signals generated by microphone  340 , keypad  350  and camera  360 . Set-top box or residential gateway  102  is initialized to prompt the user on whether or not he wants to interrupt the program he is watching or music he is listening to receive a phone call. 
         [0036]    At step  510 , the user turns on set-top box or residential gateway  102 . As part of the booting-up process, set-top box or residential gateway  102  recognizes the presence of mobile radiotelephone  104 . Controller  205  issues a GUI or simple text box stored in memory  255 . The GUI or text box is output via processor  210 , video mixer  220  and interface  230 . The GUI asks the user if he wishes to have the programming interrupted to receive incoming calls from mobile radiotelephone  104 . 
         [0037]    At step  515 , the user enters his choice. If at step  515  the user does not want to receive incoming calls, he presses a button on the remote control. This signal is received by interface  260  and forwarded to controller  250 . Controller  250  sets the states of multiplexer  215  and video mixer  220  so that they only output the programming content, be it broadcast (via interface  205 ), off of the hard disc drive  235  or off of optical disc drive  270 . Controller  250  may also disable interface  240  and processor  245 . The result is any signals received from mobile radiotelephone  104  via interface  240  are thereby blocked. In an alternative implementation, controller  250  may also issue a command or set of commands to mobile radiotelephone  104  via interfaces  335  and  240  that instruct controller  370  to stop forwarding signals via demuxes  315  and  320  to set-top box or residential gateway  102 . The process then ends. 
         [0038]    If at step  515  the user decides to receive incoming calls, he responds by pushing the appropriate button on his remote. The signal is received by interface  260  and forwarded to controller  250 . Controller  250  instructs processor  245  to forward to it any call control data received via interface  240 . 
         [0039]    At step  525  set-top box or residential gateway  102  renders content. This is typically done by the user using a remote control to send a signal to remote control interface  260  to select the source of content. Controller  250  then issues a command to enable either interface  205 , hard disc drive  235  or optical disc drive  270  to begin forwarding content signals to processor  210 . Processor  210  receives the content signals and performs operations such as decompression, decoding and decrypting to produce audio and video signals. These audio and video signals are sent through multiplexer  215  and video mixer  220  to audio output interface  225  and video output interface  230 . A speaker and/or television then renders the content. 
         [0040]    At step  530 , mobile radiotelephone  104  receives an incoming call via radio interface  305 . More specifically, mobile radiotelephone  104  receives call control data that at least indicates the fact there is an incoming call and may also include caller ID data. Interface  305  forwards the call control data to processor  310 . Processor  310  performs operations such as decoding, decompressing, decrypting etc. on the call control data. Processor  310  forwards the call control data to set-top interface  335  based on controller  370  having learned of the presence of set-top box or residential gateway  102  at step  505  and having sent instructions to demultiplexer  320  telling it to forward all call control data to set-top interface  335  from processor  310 . Interface  335  then forwards the received call control data to controller  250  via interface  240 . 
         [0041]    At step  535 , controller  250  determines the source of the content being rendered. Specifically, controller  250  determines if the content being rendered is coming from interface  205 . If it is, controller  250  instructs processor  210  to forward the content received on interface  205  to hard disc drive  235  for recording at step  540  (assuming the user has the proper rights to copy the broadcast content). This feature, sometimes called a “live-pause” feature, allows the user to pause the broadcast and record it. That way, when the user is done with the phone call, he can return to the content at the point in which it was paused by watching the remainder of the broadcast content off of hard disc drive  235 . 
         [0042]    If at step  535 , controller  250  determines the source of content is already recorded, either on hard disc drive  235  or optical disc drive  270 , it pauses the rendering process at step  545 . It should be noted that steps  535 ,  540  and  545  are optional. That is, a user may still receive video content while taking the phone call through set-top box or residential gateway  102 . However, the audio output associated with the video content from processor  210  will be muted and replaced with calling party&#39;s voice via multiplexer  215 . 
         [0043]    The process continues at step  550  where controller  250  mutes the audio from the content (if the rendering process is not paused) and outputs either an audio signal indicating an incoming call (like a ringing phone) over interface  225  or a video signal informing the user of the incoming call over interface  230  such as a text message of “Incoming Call.” Both the audio and video signals may be stored in memory  255 . If the incoming call indicating signal is at least partially video, video mixer  220  overlays that indication over the displayed video (either moving or still frame) being output by processor  245 . The text message could also output the calling party&#39;s phone number retrieved from the call control data. In addition, the video overlay output could also include the name or picture of the calling party from a memory such as memory  380  or  255 . The name or picture is retrieved from memory  380  or  255  by using the calling party&#39;s phone number to search an address book that correlates the particular name or picture with that phone number. 
         [0044]    At step  555 , the user decides on whether to answer the call or not. If he does not, he presses a button on the remote control. Remote control interface  260  receives this signal and forwards it to controller  250 . Controller  250  then instructs the processor  210  to go back to rendering the content at step  525 . 
         [0045]    If at step  555  the user does want to answer the call, he pushes a different button on the remote control. Remote control interface  260  receives that signal and forwards it to controller  250 . Controller  250  then enables microphone  275  so the user may speak into it at step  560 . The voice data is processed by processor  245  and forwarded to mobile radiotelephone  104  via interfaces  240  and  335 . In one implementation, processor  245  digitizes, encodes and/or compresses the voice signal. 
         [0046]    The user&#39;s voice signal is then forwarded to processor  310  from interface  325  via multiplexer  345  where it is modified for the network that supports mobile radiotelephone  104 . As an example, the voice signal is formatted for CDMA or GSM transmission. After that, the voice signal is output to the network via interface  305 . 
         [0047]    Also in step  560 , the calling party&#39;s voice signals are received by interface  305 . Processor  310  tunes, decompresses, decodes, etc. these signals and forwards them to demultiplexer  315 . Demux  315  forwards the calling party&#39;s voice signals to interface  335  and not to speaker  325 . Interface  335  forwards the calling party&#39;s voice signals to processor  245  via interface  240 . Processor  245  may process that signal (if necessary) before forwarding it to multiplexer  215  and interface  225 . The calling party&#39;s voice is then played-out over speakers or a home stereo attached to interface  225 . It should be noted that if the calling party transmits video, either still or moving, it is routed through interface  305 , processor  310 , demux  320  and interface  335 . Set-top box or residential gateway  102  receives the video signals at interface  240  and forwards them to processor  245 . Processor  245  performs certain functions on the signals and outputs the video signals to video mixer  220 . Video mixer  220  will either overlay the calling party&#39;s video over a portion of the program video or replace the entire program frame with the calling party&#39;s frame. This is then output to interface  230  where it is forwarded to a television or monitor. 
         [0048]    The user and the caller will exchange voice and/video messages until they are done with the call. The user then ends the call at step  565  by pushing another button on the remote control that causes controller  250  to resume rendering content at step  525 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart for a process  600  where a user makes a call while consuming content via set-top box or residential gateway  102 . The process begins at step  605  where set-top box or residential gateway  102  and mobile radiotelephone  104  detect each other as previously explained. The process continues at step  510  where content is rendered as previously explained. 
         [0050]    At step  615 , the user initiates a call by pushing a button on the remote control. The remote control generates call control data forwards it to interface  260 . Controller  250  receives this signal and determines the source of the content at step  620 . The call control data instructs the controller  250  to receive user input such as a telephone number as will be described later. Controller  250  then instructs processor  210  to either record the program in a “live-pause” fashion (step  625 ) or pause the playback if the content is stored (step  630 ). Steps  620 ,  625  and  630  are optional. At step  635  the user decides on whether to enter the phone number directly or use an address book or contact list. If the user decides to enter the phone number directly, he does so by using the remote control at step  640 . The numbers can be displayed to the user on a connected television via interface  230 . In one implementation, data representing digits is stored in memory  255 . As controller  250  receives the numbers pressed on the remote control via interface  260 , corresponding video data is retrieved from memory  255  via processor  245  and sent to video mixer  220 . Video mixer  220  overlays the digits over the presently displayed video signal (either still or moving) and outputs them to a monitor or television via interface  230 . 
         [0051]    If at step  635  the user decides to use an address book, he pushes a button on the remote control. Controller  250  issues a request for a GUI from memory  255  and the contents (e.g., names, phone numbers, addresses, etc) of the address book from either memory  255  or memory  380 . Processor  245 , video mixer  220  and interface  230  display the address book. At step  650 , the user scrolls through the address book and selects the desired number to call. 
         [0052]    Once the phone number has been entered, it is forwarded to mobile radiotelephone  104  via interface  240  at step  655 . The number is then received and forwarded via interface  335 , through multiplexer  355  and into processor  310 . Processor  310  converts the numbers into call control signals to be sent to the network to establish the call. 
         [0053]    After the call is established at step  655 , the user and the person called exchange voice data at step  660  as previously described. After they are done talking, the user hangs-up at step  665  by pushing a button on the remote. The process then continues by resuming the rendering of content at step  610 . 
         [0054]    The wireless connection between mobile radiotelephone  104  and set-top box or residential gateway  102  may present problems if a guest comes over to watch a program with the user of the system shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . That is, the guest&#39;s mobile radiotelephone may be detected by set-top box or residential gateway  102  and thereby interrupt the rendering of content if the guest receives a call. This problem can be corrected by having a GUI menu that the user uses to enter unique identifier information about each phone that may interface with set-top box or residential gateway  102 . One example of such a number is the IMEI number previously mentioned. Thus, part of the signature and acknowledgement signals transmitted in steps  505  and  605  may include this number so that set-top box or residential gateway  102  knows to interrupt providing content for incoming calls received on registered mobile radiotelephones. 
         [0055]    Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims. One modification that could be made is to integrate several components into one. For example, in  FIG. 2 , processor  210 , processor  245  and controller  250  could be one processor that multi-tasks to carry-out the various functions previously described. A further implementation would also integrate the circuits and/or functionality of multiplexer  215  and video mixer  220  into this one processor. Similarly, the components of detector  265  shown in  FIG. 4  could be integrated into memory  255 , controller  250  and interface  240  or memory  380 , controller  370  and interface  335 . In addition, while direct connections, multiplexers and demultiplexers are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a shared bus structure with corresponding timing controls could be implemented. 
         [0056]    In addition, while certain functions have been described with respect to either set-top box or residential gateway  102  and mobile radiotelephone  104 , it should be understood that the other device may be able to perform those operations. For example, interface  240  could output an analog voice signal. In such an implementation, processor  310  would have to digitize, encode and compress the signal before transmission. 
         [0057]    Still another variation would allow for voice activated commands and dialing. In this implementation, interface  335  forwards the digitized voice signals to processor  310  via multiplexer  345 . The digitized voice signal is received from the combination of microphone  275 , processor  245  and interface  240 . 
         [0058]    In yet another implementation, other telephony services may be supported. For example, at steps  560  and  660 , the user may implement a call-waiting function. That is, the user may put a first party on hold, receive and answer a second call from a second party and then return to the first party after hanging-up on the second party. 
         [0059]    It should also be noted that the steps shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may be performed in a different order. In addition, some steps may be omitted and others added to either  FIG. 5  or  6  by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0060]    The processes shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform that process. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description of  FIGS. 5 and 6  and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized wireline or wireless transmission signals.