System and method of operating terminal in at least two communication modes

A method for processing calls within a phone which includes a wired phone unit and an Internet phone unit, comprising:

• receiving a signal selecting a mode of operation of the phone;
• and
• automatically establishing a voice path between the Internet phone unit and the wired phone unit in said selected mode when a user enters an external connection request with a called party.

A phone, comprising:

• a first phone unit which operates in a first communications mode;
• a second phone unit which operates in a second communications mode;
• a control unit which establishes a voice path between the first phone unit and the second phone unit based on the user mode selection signal.

A call processing method, comprising:

• receiving a call in a first phone unit connected to a wired network;
• sending the call through a signal path that connects the first phone unit to a second phone unit, said second phone unit connected to the Internet.

A processing system for processing calls in a phone which includes a wired phone unit and an IP phone unit, comprising:

• a first processor which converts voice data into digital call data;
• and a second processor which establishes a voice signal path between the wired phone unit and the IP phone unit when a call is received by the wired phone unit, said first processor located along said voice signal path.