KR20020039666A - An interactive television system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is provided that includes a handset to which a voice telephony link is installed, a display for displaying video signals, and a controller operative to communicate with the handset and the display, the controller being formed separately from the handset. In use, the handset is operated to send a response signal to the controller in response to a prompt on the display indicating the use of additional information from the service provider, the controller accepting the response signal and making a voice call between the handset and the service provider. It is operative to send control signals that automatically cause the link.

Description

Interactive television system {AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM}

For years, systems have been used that provide interactive and transactional electronic services to television viewers. Typically, such systems are set-top-boxes, such as web TVs, and laptop or keyboard browsers, for example, plugged into a television to communicate with remote service providers. It includes. Some of the interactive services provided may be utilized by using electronic program guides (EPGs) in combination with a receiving platform such as an installation box, video recorder, or television.

EPG systems, such as the brand name GuidePlus Gold, sold by Gemstar Development Corporation in the United States, download TV listings from the broadcaster and display the information interactively, depending on the viewer's needs. . The use of these systems greatly enhances the ability of television viewers to find and record interesting programs. In most cases, viewers interact with the EPG system by entering instructions into the handheld infrared remote control device. If the EPG system supports a range of conversational information and transaction services, there is a need to provide data providers returning from the viewers to service providers via a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

In order to provide data return to service providers via the PSTN, a connection between the EPG and the telephone socket is required. Because TVs and telephones are rarely co-located in the same room, viewers often face the inconvenience of installing telephone extension cables or relocating the television. However, as prices go down, more and more consumers are buying digital cordless phones, including body parts and portable telephones. The main body is connected to the PSTN through a socket in the home of the telephone user and digitally wirelessly connected to the portable telephone. The use of such cordless telephones alleviates the problems associated with the location of the television.

Interactive systems using cordless phones and televisions are already known. For example, WO 96/13933 discloses a device which combines the functions of a remote control device used in facilities such as cordless telephones and televisions or video recorders. WO 97/31480 describes a system in which a two-way communication link is provided between a television and a service provider via a radiotelephone body. However, these systems need to be enhanced to provide an effective yet concise connection where users can interactively select and use features provided by service providers.

In addition, digital cordless telephones provide a clearer tone and range than the other party, but by operating the digital cordless telephones, users must remember a plurality of key sequences. Services such as third party calls, conference calls, display of transaction information, etc. are difficult to implement.

The present invention relates to an interactive television system, and also to a call management system using display screens in televisions and telephones.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first interactive telephone / television system.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second interactive telephone / television system.

3 is a circuit diagram of a control module of the system of FIG.

4 is a front view of the telephone handset.

5 is a key layout diagram of the handset of FIG. 4.

6 is an embodiment of electronic program guides (EPGs).

7 is an embodiment of an EPG with phone book functionality.

8 is one embodiment of a television screen with a caption displaying the name and number of a broadcast program and an incoming call.

9 is an embodiment of an EPG with advanced telephone functionality.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television system that enhances the functionality of the above known systems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interactive call management system which overcomes the disadvantages associated with a telephone, in particular a cordless telephone.

Various embodiments of the invention are defined by the independent claims. Some preferred features are defined by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a handset having an audio telephonic link, a display for displaying a video signal formed separately from the handset, a communication link between the handset and the display, and a display service An interactive call management system is provided that includes means for indicating provision of information from a provider. Here, the handset includes means for requesting a voice telephony link automatically established between the handset and the service providers and mutually requesting the provided information.

The means for displaying the provision of information from the service provider on the display may be an advertisement, cue, or icon that may be part of the EPG display or displayed simultaneously with the live broadcast. The advertisement may be displayed as a panel on a portion of the EPG display. By selecting and pressing the appropriate soft action key, such as "yes" on the handset, the user can signal a logical interest in such an advertising panel. Typically, the advertising panel is downloaded to the EPG data. The updated panel or icon can be downloaded separately from the EPG.

Advertisements and / or cues and / or icons are preloaded in memory and displayed at specific times or downloaded to the user in a live broadcast.

Preferably, a telephone number is automatically downloaded to the advertising panel when the controller sends a control signal to the handset.

The use of the telephone advertising panel is advantageous because the telephone advertising panel allows the user to automatically set up a direct voice call to a predetermined number. Once the telephony panel is selected, the user may be given the option to make a voice call to the number specified by the advertiser.

The display may be the screen of a television, computer or any other device.

Means for indicating the communication link between the handset and the display and the provision of information from the service provider may be provided as a separate device or in a control module provided in devices such as a television, any other television accessory or a PC. The control module may include a cradle that is connected to a power source to receive the handset or is adapted to receive the handset.

The telephone link can be established from the control module to the remote handset via the command channel, causing the associated number to be dialed in.

Preferably, the handset is a wireless handset. Preferably, the handset has the function of a cordless telephone. Preferably, the handset is operated to control the functionality of the display and / or any other device connected thereto.

The telephone link may be set up as a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The handset can be in communication, preferably wirelessly, with a body connected to the PSTN.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a handset having an audio telephonic link, a display for displaying a video signal formed separately from the handset, a communication link between the handset and the display, and a telephone in the display An interactive call management system comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying service and / or caller related information. Here, the handset includes means for mutually entering a request for information on the screen.

The display may be the screen of a television, computer or any other device. Preferably, the handset is configured to control a television or other device.

The information display means can be formed to display a personal phone book. Memory may be provided for storing a list of telephone numbers. The list is sorted by the user to provide a list of individuals or customers. A cursor or marker is provided that can be moved around the display using the handset. A specific number is selected from the list for dialing by marking with a cursor or marker and pressing the appropriate key or button on the handset for automatic dialing of the number. The book contains a list of service providers advertised on the display.

Means are provided for receiving and translating incoming calls in order to provide on the display the names and numbers of callers typically controlled using a calling line identification (CLI) feature. Optionally, a voice message can be received and played back. The caller's number is annotated in the name and preferably added to the list displayed on the display. The name on the list is highlighted, dialing the appropriate number if that name is selected from the TV screen.

Means for executing the electronic program guide and / or another GUI may be provided.

Means for indicating the communication link between the handset and the display and the provision of information from the service provider may be provided as a separate device or via a control module provided to devices such as a television, any other television accessory or a PC.

Preferably, the handset is wireless. Preferably, the handset has the function of a cordless telephone. Preferably, the handset is operated to control the functionality of the display and / or any other device connected thereto.

The telephone link may be set up as a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The handset can be in communication, preferably wirelessly, with a body connected to the PSTN.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a telephone handset comprising an input for exchanging control signals and data from an external device, and means for connecting the external device to a telephone network. This telephone handset, which acts as a data circuit, has the advantage of allowing two-way communication between the external device and the telephone network. Preferably, the handset is wireless. The telephone handset functions as a remote control for a television, television accessory or any other remotely controllable device such as a video recorder or installation box. The external device is a portable computer and the handset can act as a portable modem.

1 includes a control module 10 connected to a television 12 by a SCART cable 14 and capable of communicating with the television 12 by a wireless communication link 15 such as the SCART cable 14 and an IR link. A television system is shown. In addition, video recorder 16 and remote handset 18 may be in communication with control module 10 via a wireless link.

The body portion 20 of the wireless telephone, which is alternately connected to the wireless telephone handset 22 by a wireless link, is connected to the remote handset 18 via a wireless communication link such as an IR or RF link. The communication between the remote handset 18 and the control module 10 enables the provision of interactive services in both directions, such as the communication between the handset 18 and the body 20.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 1 except that the control module 10 is provided inside the television set 12 and not as a separate device. However, the control module 10 may be provided in another external device such as a VCR 16 or a set-top-box. In any case, the control module 10 acts as the central controller of the overall system and the interaction between the control module 1 and the remote handset 18 is the same.

The control module 10 of FIG. 1 is connected to an external device such as a TV 12 and an input video device such as a VCR 16 or a pay TV decoder via a SCART IN socket 24, as shown in FIG. . The image and sound are output from the control module 10 to the television 12 via the SCART OUT socket 26. The broadcast data is received via the RF IN socket 28. In order for module 10 to control television 12, video recorder 16 or other devices, an IR transceiver 30 is provided for sending and receiving commands from remote handset 18. All commands and data from remote handset 18 are received in an infrared data link protocol such as IrDa.

A central processor 34 that stores and operates software for executing graphical user interface (GUI) facilities, such as EPG and call management facilities for display on a user's telephone and television screen. It is included in the control module 10. Programmable tuner 36, coupled to a central processor 34, is operatively operated to receive information for EPGs that are broadcast regularly, at a vertical blanking interval (VBI). In order to guarantee the update of information in the EPG displayed to the user, the updated EPG data is once received and passed to the central processor 34. The image or image in the guide circuit 38 is connected to the programmable tuner 36. When the EPG is in use, the programmable tuner 36 may optionally be tuned to the channel on which the television 12 is tuned when the EPG is brought out to the screen. The signal from the programmable tuner 36 passes through the picture in the picture / guide circuit 38 and from the EPG on-screen-display generator (OSD) 38B through the video switch 38A. It is combined with the EPG graphics signal of. In this case, the user can simultaneously view the EPG and the previously viewed program. Alternatively, programmable tuner 36 and circuit 38 may be used to display a reduced size screen of another program currently being broadcast on a portion of the normal size screen of the program currently being broadcast.

In addition to the control of the television 12, the control module 10 also controls the video recorder 16. In order to perform unattended recording, a program delivery control (PDC) or VPS or WST decoder is connected to the central processor 34. This allows the system to monitor when a program is just beginning to be broadcast, to prepare a video recorder 16 to switch on when the program starts.

A universal remote control emulation process is used to convert command signals from the remote handset 18 into signals recognizable by each of the various facilities via the IR diode 30 and the IR transceiver 32. Computer software for control is included in the central processor 34 and associated nonvolatile storage. In this way, only one remote control 18 is needed. This simplifies the use of the system by the user.

In order to support the immediate substitution of all television 12, video recorder 16 and set top box control commands received from the handset 18 and to allow detection of PDC and VPS labels, the control module 10 is operated 24 hours a day. Powered.

In order to provide interactive interaction, the control unit 10 and the handset 18 are operated to communicate with the body unit 20. This is the basis of a typical cordless phone that operates to make telephone connections over the PSTN. Handset 18 is an interface for a user between control module 10 and body 20.

The remote handset 18 functions as a cordless phone in that telephone calls received at the main unit 20 are transferred to the handset 18 via a wireless connection. However, the remote handset 18 further includes an IR transmitter to allow bidirectional communication with the control module 10. In summary, handset 18 includes:

a. Telephone microphones and earpieces;

b. Alphanumeric LCD display;

c. battery;

d. Bidirectional IrDA transceivers;

e. Error correction data transmission with a control module at speeds up to 38 kbit / s;

f. A DECT 1.9 GHz data and telephone transceiver for data and voice communications with the body of the cordless telephone;

g. Key Pad (44)

The keypad 44 is similar to a cordless telephone keypad, but the buttons 45 are tabulated to facilitate control of the television 12 including EPG, teletext and video recorder 16. 4 and 5 show one embodiment of the arrangement of the keypad 44 with three buttons arranged in five rows.

A toggled MODE button 46 that controls the different devices is provided in the top row. Mode 1 sets handset 18 to operate as if it were a standard cordless phone. Mode 2 allows the user to interface with the control module 10 to activate the EPG facility. Mode 3 allows the television 12 to switch between video and teletext mode of operation. Mode 4 allows the video processor 16 to be controlled from a pop-up virtual keypad displayed on the television screen by the central processor 34. In order for the remote handset 18 to control other external devices, various other modes may be provided.

Press the Mode button and the device name appears on the handset display. When the name of the desired device appears, the user can select the device, for example by clicking on the "OK" button. Once the desired mode is selected, control of the equipment connected to the control module 10, such as the television 12 or video recorder 16, is done by a central processor and via a virtual keypad displayed on the television screen. A cursor or marker is provided on the virtual keypad that can be moved to the desired position on the virtual keypad using the CursorUp, CursorDown, CursorLeft, and CursorRight buttons on the remote handset keypad 44. Once the cursor is placed at the required position, the highlighted function is selected by pressing the button marked "OK".

When the functions or features selected by the viewer are interactive and require signals to be exchanged between the control unit 10 and the PSTN, logical commands are communicated between the control unit 10 and the remote handset 18 across the IR link 15. Are interchanged in. In the remote handset 18, the same commands are converted into or decoded from DTMF or analog modem signals for exchange across the PSTN by the body 20. In the case of digital telephone networks, the connection process (DMTF) can be replaced as appropriate. (However, in the case of the European wireless DECT standard, the wireless connection between the main unit and the handset 18 is only the voice and low, with the lowest capability that the main unit 20 must support in the DECT gap (Generic Access Profile). Only data of bandwidth is supported.), So the modulation / demodulation process is maintained.

The ability to communicate with an external device via an IR link means that the handset 18 can be used to provide a link between a telephone network, such as a PSTN, or other facilities provided to have a compatibility interface with a communications network. For example, the handset can act as a portable modem interface between a portable computer having an IR port and a telephone network. In this case, the handset 18 is operated to receive a control signal from the portable computer, generate an appropriate signal, and send it to the main body 20 connected to the PSTN to establish a link between the portable computer and the PSTN via the handset 18. Set it. Of course, in some cases, the handset may include an analog modem for converting the signal received from the portable computer into a format suitable for receiving by the main body 20.

In addition to sending a signal to the body 20, the control module 10 also operates to receive and translate the signal sent therefrom. The main body 20 is useful, for example, because it can provide an incoming telephone number to the control module 10. When a Calling Line Identification (CLI) facility is connected in advance of the ringing element of an outgoing call (for example, as specified by specifications SIN227 and SIN242 by BT in the UK, or by ESTI, ETC 300 659-1). And if the body 20 receives support such as a Calling Line Identification (CLI) that decodes the PSTN callline ID signal (as defined by ETS 300-778-1). The call line ID is transmitted by the body 20 to the control module 10 and / or the remote handset 18 which can display this information. Optionally, the voice message can be received and played back (with the lowered television sound) through either the speaker of television 12 or the handpiece of the remote handset. Each of these points will be explained in more detail later.

As described above, the control module 10 is adapted to execute the EPG 50, which is one embodiment shown in FIG. 6. EPG 50 includes a grid on which time 52 is indicated along the horizontal axis and a channel 54 on the vertical axis. The program name 56 is provided to the cell 58 located inside the grid so that the viewer can see at a glance which channel the program is broadcast on.

On the left side of the EPG of FIG. 6 is shown a "telephone advertising panel" which is operated such that the user is automatically connected directly to a predetermined number downloaded to the advertising panel. When the user presses the arrow cursor key 45 on the remote handset 18 to select the telephone panel 60, the user can place a voice call to the number detailed by the advertiser (but not necessarily displayed). Soft action keys are displayed at the top of the EPG to give a selection opportunity. Users can inform the advertising panel of a logical interest response by selecting and pressing a corresponding soft action key (eg, “OK” or color button) on the remote handset 18. In response to the viewer's choice, the telephone is connected by sending a command signal from the control module 10 to the remote handset 18 towards the IR link to which the associated telephone number is dialed. The signal is then sent wherever the PSTN or telephone network is used via the body 20 connected to the user's handset 18. The user can communicate verbally with the service provider using the remote handset 18. The above processes are determined by software scripts such as Java that are retained in the data of the downloaded advertising panel 60 and executed by the microcontroller 34.

In order to distribute the load to the customer call center, the call answering advertisement panel 60 may be controlled to appear randomly during the time window period downloaded to the advertisement panel. Instead of an advertising panel, icons or cues may be displayed to users as either an EPG or a live broadcast. As before, the selection of the icon or queue automatically dials between the user's handset 18 and the service provider.

In addition to providing a television accessory function and a user interface for an advertising panel, the EPG executed by processor 34 provides a call management system that allows a user to easily access and use television services, typically including: do:

A caller marking facility in which the current caller's number and name are displayed on the screen, for example by matching the caller's number to a number associated with the name stored in memory;

A call regression facility that displays the number and name of the last caller;

A call waiting facility where a serviceable / not available flag is displayed on the screen when the call is put on hold or when someone attempts to call the user;

A call divert facility, wherein the call is converted to enter a contact management function;

· Three way call

The EPG can also be adapted to display phone book information, such as a yellow page, or a list of personal phone numbers that can be adapted by the user.

To use the call management system, the EPG has a phone option 60 that can be selected. 7 is one embodiment of a page within the EPG's call management system. Here, the telephone option 60 is highlighted by the arrow 62. In addition, the selection telephone book 64 is further selected. Thereby, a personal list 66 of user telephone connections 68 is displayed. The list 66 displayed by the user includes the name, not the telephone number. However, the appropriate telephone number associated with each entry of the list is stored in memory. Within this list 66 is provided a cursor or marker that can be moved around the display using the remote handset 18. For example, in Fig. 7, a cursor is placed to emphasize the name "Gunda Niemann".

When the list 66 is displayed on the television screen, that particular number is selected for turning the dial by marking the particular number with a cursor or marker and pressing the corresponding button on the handset 18. This mechanism sends a command signal to the control module 10 which alternately generates a control signal causing the automatic dialing of the number. In this way, telephones can be connected without having to insert a desired telephone number using the EPG call management system.

As above, control commands for the call management system are input using a remote handset 18 which acts as a data connection interface between the control module 10 and the body 20 of the wireless telephone.

In addition to providing a phone book facility, the call management system is operable to receive, store, play and display details of incoming calls. When an incoming call is recognized, a signal indicating it is sent from the remote handset 18 to the controller 10. Using the received signal, processor 34 can identify the caller's number from the received information. In such a case, the processor checks the internal memory to determine if an incoming call is included in the user's personal list 66. If the sender's name is included in the personal list 66, the sender's name is verified and its name and number are displayed on the screen of the user's television simultaneously with the currently shown television program as shown in FIG. If the caller name is not identified in the personal list 66, only that number itself is shown on the screen.

The control unit 10 is further adapted to allow the user to press a button by hand to capture the incoming phone number. In this case, the telephone number is stored in the memory. This number is annotated to the name and added to the user's personal list 66 for display on the screen if desired. To annotate the number, the handset is configured to recognize the predetermined key pressed as the text enters. For example, by repeatedly pressing repeatedly for the desired character and in some cases (for example, if you quickly put "6" in the permutation of "6mMnNoO", press "m" by pressing "6" three times and press "M". Alphabetic characters may be input. Also, to enter the caller's phone number, the sender's address and other related matters can be annotated in the list.

If text is displayed indicating there is an incoming call, two icons 70 and 72 are also displayed to indicate the button of the handset that must be pressed in order to respond to the call 70 or to record the message 72. If the user chooses to answer the call, the handset is connected in phone mode so that the user can talk to the caller. When the user selects to store the message, the sender is connected to the message storage facility and the message is recorded. The voice message along with the call ID (caller's phone number) is received and stored in a nonvolatile memory in one of the control module 10, the remote handset 18, the television 12 or the main body 20.

In order for the user to access the recorded message through the television screen, the EPG is configured to include a message option 74 as shown in FIG. Once the message option 74 is selected, the EPG software of the processor 34 generates a list of scrollable bars 76 for the user displaying the received phone message. Each bar 76 has a term indicating the message duration and corresponds to the received message. As before, if the caller's phone number matches a name already stored using the user's personal phone book, the displayed message is labeled with the caller's name. Otherwise, the caller's telephone number may be displayed and annotated with names and related information for storage and inclusion in the telephone directory.

To navigate the message list, the user can move the cursor to the desired message bar and highlight the bar by pressing the arrow cursor keys 45 on the remote handset 18. When the name is highlighted in this way, the relevant information of the message 78 (e.g., time / date of the message, sender number) is displayed in the stop information box. In addition, an age gauge is displayed showing the total message time used and the time remaining. Various mechanisms can be initiated, such as deletion or call-back, by pressing the appropriate action key displayed in the EPG shown in FIG.

The selection of the review option causes the controller 10 to send a signal that causes the handset 18 to dial in to the appropriate number.

Although most of the EPG information is broadcast at a specific time, users may want to be immediately updated on certain types of information before the next schedule is broadcast. When such information is used, they are highlighted in various backgrounds. Updates are made by pressing the update key to initiate a data connection through the remote handset between the control module and the remote server.

The control module 10 may include a hypertext web browser and e-mail client software. In this way, this mail can be sent from the TV via the main body. In addition to supporting text, graphics, and linking with other objects, the control module may support telephone hypertext links. Clicking on a web page or a telephone link in this mail causes the control module 10 to dial the remote handset 18 to the telephone number. In the same way as in the call answering advertisement panel, the click on the link starts execution by the microcontroller 34 of the downloaded software script that contains a reference to the dialed phone number.

In this particular system, the command signal is sent from the control unit 10 to a handset 80 in which a telephone number is dialed and an appropriate signal is sent to the body unit 20. However, the controller 10 may include, for example, a DTMF dialer that generates a signal and sends the signal directly to the main body 20.

The system described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a video recorder and a television connected with a control module, although the control module is, for example, a satellite or cable decoder, a DVD player and a video time shift and display device. and display devices).

The present invention described above is not limited by the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, but by the appended claims. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various forms of substitution, modification, and alteration are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention described in the claims.

As noted above, the integration with the radiotelephone handset of the television and video recorder remote control function to form an integrated remote handset allows the user to interact interactively with the EPG and improve the overall system functionality. In addition, the integration of the telephone handset into the remote control interior and the provision of the EPG as an interface for the user provide a call management system that can be easily operated.

Claims (46)

A handset in which an audio telephonic link is installed; A display for displaying a video signal; And 10. A system comprising a controller operative to communicate with the handset, the display and configured separately from the handset. The handset is operative to send a response signal to the controller in response to a prompt on the display indicating the use of additional information from the service provider, the controller receiving the response signal and communicating between the handset and the service provider. And transmit control signals that automatically cause a voice telephony link. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the prompt is preferably an ad, cue, or icon that is part of an EPG display or displayed simultaneously with a live broadcast. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the advertisement is displayed as a panel on a portion of the EPG display. 4. The user according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user signals a logical interest in the prompt by selecting and pressing an appropriate soft action key, preferably "yes" or "no" of the handset. And the response signal is generated. 5. The system of claim 3 or 4, wherein the advertising panel is downloaded to the EPG data. 6. The system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the updated panel or icon is downloaded separately from the EPG. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the advertisement and / or the cue and / or the icon is preloaded in a memory and the advertisement and / or the cue and / or the icon ( software is provided such that an icon) is displayed at a specific time or is downloaded to the user in a live broadcast. 8. A system as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein a telephone number which is automatically connected when the controller sends the control signal to the handset is downloaded to the advertising panel. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is a screen of a television, a computer, or any other device. 10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the controller is a separate device or a control module provided to devices such as a television, any other television accessory or a PC. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control module is a cradle configured to receive a handset or to be connected to a power source such that the handset is recharged. 12. The system of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the handset is a wireless handset. 13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handset is operative to control the functionality of the display and / or any other device connected thereto. 14. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said telephone link is set up as a public switched telephone network (PSTN). 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the handset can communicate, preferably wirelessly, with a body part connected to the PSTN. 16. The system of claim 14 or 15, wherein the handset has the function of a cordless telephone. A handset in which an audio telephonic link is installed; A display for displaying a video signal formed separately from the handset; A communication link between the handset and the display; And An interactive call management system comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying telephone service and / or caller related information on the display, wherein: And the handset has a data entry key or button for mutually entering a request for information on a screen. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the display is a screen of a television, a computer or any other device. 19. The system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the handset is configured to control a television or other device. 20. The system of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the GUI is configured to display phone book information, such as yellow page information. 21. The system of any one of claims 17-20, wherein a memory is provided for storing a list of telephone numbers or names associated therewith. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the list is sorted by a user to provide a personal or customer list. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein a cursor or marker is provided that can be moved around the display using the handset. 24. The system of claim 22 or 23, wherein a specific number is selected from the list for dialing by marking with the cursor or marker and pressing an appropriate key or button on the handset for automatic dialing to the number. 25. The system of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the number portion includes a list of service providers advertised on the display. 26. The method of any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein an incoming call is placed to provide on the display the name and number of callers typically captured using a calling line identification (CLI) feature. And means for receiving and translating. 26. The system of any one of claims 17-25, comprising a recorder for recording a voice message and playing the message if desired. 27. The system of any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the caller's number is annotated in a name and preferably added to the list displayed on the display. 30. The system of claim 29, comprising a cursor or marker for highlighting a name on the list to dial an appropriate number if the name is selected from a TV screen. 31. The system of any one of claims 17-30, wherein the GUI is an electronic program guide. 32. The system of any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein the communication link between the handset and the display is provided through a controller separate from the handset. 32. The system of any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the handset is wireless. 33. The system of any one of claims 17 to 32, wherein the handset is operative to control the functionality of the display and / or any other device connected thereto. 34. The system of any one of claims 17 to 33, wherein the telephone link can be established with a public switched telephone network (PSTN). 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the handset can communicate, preferably wirelessly, with a body part connected to the PSTN. 36. The system of any one of claims 18 to 35, wherein the handset has the function of a cordless telephone. The handset receiving a response signal from the handset at the controller in response to a prompt on a display indicating use of additional information from the service provider; And Transmitting a control signal from the controller to automatically cause a voice telephony link between the handset and the service provider. Instructions for the controller to translate the response signal sent from the telephone handset in response to a prompt on the display indicating the use of additional information from the service provider; And Instructions for causing a control signal to be transmitted from the controller to automatically cause a voice telephony link between the handset and the service provider. An input for exchanging data with a control signal from an external device; And Telephone handset comprising means for connecting the external device to a telephone network. 40. The telephone handset of claim 39, wherein said handset is wireless. 41. The telephone handset of claim 40, which functions as a remote control for a television, television accessory or any other remotely controllable device such as a video recorder or set top box. 42. A telephone handset according to any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein said external device is a portable computer and said handset preferably operates as a modem, such as a portable modem. 43. The telephone handset of claim 42, wherein the handset is recharged, preferably received in a recharge cradle. 44. A telephone handset according to any one of claims 39 to 43, wherein the telephone link can be established with a public switched telephone network (PSTN). 45. A telephone handset according to any one of claims 39 to 44, operative to communicate with a body part connected to the PSTN. 46. A telephone handset according to any one of claims 39 to 45, having the function of a cordless telephone.