Phone-independent key expansion module
First Claim
1. A button box device configured to enable a user to invoke a call control function, comprising:
- a key to which the call control function has been assigned;
a display; and
a key press event module configured to send a key press event to a switch via a telephone and via a packet-switched network, wherein the button box device does not comprise an audio input device.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A button box provides additional keys that can be used in conjunction with a telephone. In one embodiment, a button box is configured by associating it with a telephone and by programming its keys. When a key on the button box is activated, a key press event is sent from the button box to the associated phone. The phone treats the key press event as if a key on the phone itself had been activated and forwards the event to the voice switch appliance associated with the phone. (Alternatively, the key press event is sent from the button box directly to a voice switch appliance.) The button box'"'"'s user interface is controlled by a voice switch appliance.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A button box device configured to enable a user to invoke a call control function, comprising:
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a key to which the call control function has been assigned;
a display; and
a key press event module configured to send a key press event to a switch via a telephone and via a packet-switched network, wherein the button box device does not comprise an audio input device.
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2. A system configured to enable a user to invoke a call control function using a button box device, comprising:
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a switch configured to receive a key press event via a packet-switched network and to determine a call control function associated with the key press event;
a button box device configured to send the key press event to a telephone via the packet-switched network; and
a telephone configured to receive the key press event via the packet-switched network and to send the key press event to the switch.
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3. A system configured to enable a user to invoke a call control function using a button box device, comprising:
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a switch configured to receive a key press event via a packet-switched network and to determine a call control function associated with the key press event, wherein the key press event comprises a key identifier and a button box identifier, and wherein the button box identifier indicates one association of a plurality of associations between the key identifier and a call control function;
a button box device configured to send the key press event via the packet-switched network; and
a storage device containing the plurality of associations.
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4. A method for configuring a button box device, comprising:
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storing a first association between the button box device and a switch, the switch configured to control a user interface of the button box device;
storing a second association between the button box device and a telephone, the telephone configured to receive a key press event from the button box device; and
storing a third association between a key of the button box device and a call control function, the call control function being invoked when the key is activated.
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5. A method for enabling a user to invoke a call control function using a button box device, comprising:
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receiving a key press event from the button box device via a telephone;
determining a call control function associated with the key press event; and
executing the call control function.
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6. A method for enabling a user to invoke a call control function using a button box device, comprising:
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receiving a key press event from the button box device, wherein the key press event comprises a key identifier and a button box identifier;
determining a call control function associated with the key press event by identifying an association between the key identifier and the call control function; and
executing the call control function. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification