Abstract: A telephone set includes an input unit having a call button for originating and answering calls, and an end button for terminating calls. The telephone set also includes a control unit, a display unit, voice signal communication circuits, and sound circuits for generating sound effects when the control unit is in a special mode. In one embodiment, the call button is ignored when the control unit is in the special mode, and the special mode is terminated when the end button is pressed. In another embodiment, the special mode is terminated when either the call button or end button is pressed. The special mode operates independent of the communication circuits.

Abstract: A telephone set automatically switches between displaying telephone communication information and displaying images on a display panel of the telephone set. The telephone communication information indicates whether the telephone set is within range of a base station. At the end of a call, or when power is first switched on, the display panel of the telephone set displays telephone communication information when the telephone set enters a standby mode to wait for a call to arrive. After the telephone set remains in the standby mode for a predetermined period of time (e.g., five minutes) without receiving a call or input from an input unit (e.g., keypad) on the telephone set, images unrelated to telephone communication are displayed on the display panel of the telephone set for the user's amusement. The telephone communication information is then presented by an indicator circuit of the telephone set instead of the display panel.