Abstract: Technology is described for a non-mobile telephone system which in addition to processing voice signal data and performing telephone functions, can execute applications transferring data responsive to user input received through a graphical user interface of the telephone system. The non-mobile telephone includes a telephony processing system for performing telephone functions, and an applications processing system for executing applications. The two processing systems communicate using a communication protocol between them which is independent of a telecommunication protocol used for voice signal data processed by the telephony processing system.

Abstract: Technology for a non-mobile telephone system which in addition to processing voice signal data, can execute applications transferring data responsive to user input received through a graphical user interface of the telephone system. Examples of call features include a call back feature and a service ordering feature. The graphical user interface provides visual displays to assist a user in selecting call features. Non-voice signal data retrieved from another computer system can be transferred with a call from the non-mobile telephone system. The non-mobile telephone system can pair with the other computer system for security. An example of a sharing data is downloading a file stored on the other computer system or sharing the screen of the other computer system at a resource location accessible by a caller on the other end of a call with the non-mobile telephone system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for maintaining a continuous connection for the instantaneous transmission of audio/visual content between end points on a packet-based network. After a communication link is initially established between two end points connected to the network, the communication link is maintained on a continuous basis so that audio/visual content can be instantaneously transmitted from a source end point to a destination end point or end points when a user desires to communicate with the destination end point. The communication link is continuously maintained by various methods including across the packet-based network by transmitting signaling information between the end points that signifies that the communication link should be kept open and alive.