Patent ID: 6909452

Claim:
A video phone system comprising: a base video unit having a video display screen, a microphone, and a speaker; at least two remote video units that selectively provide audio and video signals to said base video unit; a multiplexer associated with said base video unit, said multiplexer unit capable of being controlled by a caller for selecting a selected one of said audio and video signals from said at least two remote units or said base video unit, such that upon a selection input from said caller, said selected one of said audio and video signals is automatically routed through said base video unit to said caller without the need for human intervention; and a first circuit for allowing the base video unit and the selected one of said remote video units to electronically communicate with a standard external telephone line, said first circuit adapted for routing said selected one of said audio and video signals out through said standard external telephone line, further wherein the base video unit and the remote video unit both include a communication means for allowing the base video unit and the remote video unit to electronically communicate with one another.