ROBIN TIDWELL - PHOENIX AZ, US CARRIE RUDMAN - BOULDER CO, US TROY C. BEECROFT - WESTMINSTER CO, US DONNA BESON - PHOENIX AZ, US JUSTINE VIGIL-TAPIA - LOUISVILLE CO, US PENNIE MAGEE - BOULDER CO, US DOUGLAS J. ERTZ - BOULDER CO, US MICHELLE A. VINCOW - BOULDER CO, US
International Classification:
H04N007/14 H04B001/00 H04M011/00
US Classification:
379/110010, 379/093170, 348/014160
Abstract:
A telephony system and method provide for the establishment of telephonic communications through use of a television and a set top box. The set top box is connected both to the television and a telephone network. Incorporated into a set top box is a microphone and a command signal input device. A viewer of the television may, through use of a user interface device such as a hand-held remote control or a keyboard, enter command signals which when processed within the set top box provide for the display of a number of interactive display graphics. Through interaction with these display graphics, the viewer may go off hook and dial phone numbers in order to establish a telephonic connection. Through use of a microphone and speakers incorporated into the television, a speaker phone is provided which allows for two-way audio conversations.
Glenna Williamson, Patsy Etheridge, Kay Sherrer, Doris Ewalt, Linda Higle, Dewayne Hodge, Hal Nesbitt, James Coats, Joe Kirkpatrick, Arminta Lester, Terri Williams