Multimedia terminal device having integrated telephone system and user interface method

Abstract

Customer premise equipment provides a communication gateway with a network of a service provider and includes a multimedia terminal device for installation on the customer's premises typically at an out-of-the-way location. The multimedia terminal device includes a modem having an embedded media terminal adaptor and an integrated telephone base station, for instance, to provide both Internet connectivity and Voice-over-Internet-Protocol telephone service to the customer premises. A portable cordless telephone handset communicates via wireless communication signals with the telephone base station thereby providing telephone service to the premises. The handset is also capable of transmitting commands to the telephone base station for purposes of providing a user interface for the components of the multimedia terminal device. For example, as a result of a sent command, status or other information can be forwarded to the handset, the modem can be instructed to reboot, a test can be initiated on the multimedia terminal device, or a set up operation can be accomplished. The display screen of the handset can be used to provide the customer with the requested information or results.