Telephony system

a system for providing telephonic communications comprising:

• a set-top box which connectable to a television such that image information from the set-top box may be displayed on the television screen and audio information broadcast, said set top box is connectable to a data network for transmitting and receiving information, said set top box comprising:
• a television interface which provides for the exchange data signals with the televisions;
• a central processing element which coordinates data signals within the set-top box;
• a memory which stores information relating to operation of the set top box;
• a data network interface in connection with central processing element which is employed to establish telephonic connection with the data network;
• and
• a user interface apparatus which receives user generated signals from the a system user and provides these user generated signals to the central processing unit.

A method for establishing a telephonic connection through use of a television, comprising the steps of:

• providing a user interface device which allows a system user to manipulate information which appears on a screen for the television;
• displaying a first image on the screen which includes at least one icon which is selectable through operation of the user interface and provides for the establishment of a telephonic connection;
• detecting selection of the at least one icon with the user interface, and in response connecting to the telephone network and dialing a predetermined telephone number;
• and
• upon establishing a line of communication using the predetermined telephone number, transmitting voice communications received from a system user over the line of communication, and broadcasting voice information received from the telephone network over a speaker apparatus incorporated into the television.