television sets featuring the following functions - telephone functions including conference phone, on-screen caller identification, call identification auto call back, answering machine, facsimile, auto dial, on-screen directory, simultaneous voice and data transmission, television functions including television listings, reviews and information, videocassette recorder control, channel blocking, program blocking, on-screen messages, pay per view movies, computer functions including allowing access to a global computer network and electronic mail, transactional functions including home banking, impulse auto dial, interactive advertising, catalog shopping, database access to yellow pages, classifieds, catalogs, directories, and card reader and infrared transmission functions including conditional access, home security, smart house, and home entertainment center; and television set top units which adapt televisions to feature the following functions - telephone functions including conference phone, on-screen caller identification, call identification auto call back, answering machine, facsimile, auto dial, on-screen directory, simultaneous voice and data transmission, television functions including television listings, reviews and information, videocassette recorder control, channel blocking, program blocking, on-screen messages, pay per view movies, computer functions including allowing access to a global computer network and electronic mail, transactional functions including home banking, impulse auto dial, interactive advertising, catalog shopping, database access to yellow pages, classifieds, catalogs, directories, and card reader and infrared transmission functions including conditional access, home security, smart house, and home entertainment center