Patent ID: 6920206

Claim:
A method for controlling telephonic communication in an arrangement where a telephone at a user's premises is coupled to a broadband interface module, that is connected to a remote PSTN interface arrangement through a cable that carries signals that correspond to (a) signals for apparatus that includes a monitor for display of video information, and (b) signals associated with said telephone, said method being carried out in said broadband interface module and comprising the steps of: receiving call progress signaling information pertaining to said telephone from said PSTN interface arrangement; analyzing said information to determine whether additional information is needed; if said step of analyzing determines that said additional information is needed, (a) sending a query message via said PSTN interface arrangement, and (b) receiving a data message from said PSTN interface arrangement that is responsive to said sending; creating a video message from said call progress signaling information and, if said step of determining determines that said additional information is needed, from said data message; and applying said video message to said monitor.