Patent ID: 7116644

Claim:
A method for establishing a data link between users of set-top boxes and sharing data through the data link, comprising: establishing contact between the users of a plurality of set-top boxes through a first transmission media; initiating a data transfer between die plurality of set-top boxes using a second transmission media; exchanging identification information between the plurality of set-top boxes using a third transmission media; using the identification information to establish a data link between the plurality of set-top boxes using a fourth transmission media; exchanging a plurality of data packets between the plurality of set-top boxes over the data link; and maintaining current identification information between the plurality of set-top boxes to allow the data link to be continuously accessible by the plurality of set-top boxes, wherein at least one of the plurality of set-top boxes contains a transmit/receive device for the transmission and reception of the plurality of data packets and wherein establishing contact between the users of a plurality of set-top boxes through a first transmission media comprises establishing a communication link between a first transmit/receive device of a first set-top box and a second transmit-receive device of a second set-top box, further comprising: the first transmit/receive device switching into an analog circuit of the first telephony device and sending a synchronization sequence for receipt by the second transmit/receive device of the second telephony device; and the second telephony device detecting the synchronization sequence, muting a handset of the second telephony device, and coupling a plurality of telephone signals of the second telephony device to the second transmit/receive device of the second telephony device.