Self-configuring network telephone system and method
First Claim
1. A method for automatically configuring a network phone system having a first network phone and a second network phone coupled to a network, comprising:
- receiving a directory message over the network from the second network phone, the directory message including a telephone directory that includes at least one assigned extension network phone number;
finding a non-conflicting extension network phone number from the received telephone directory;
adopting the found non-conflicting extension network phone number for the first network phone; and
broadcasting the adopted non-conflicting extension network phone number over the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-configuring telephone device interconnected by a network to other network telephone devices. The network telephone device is especially adapted to connect to other similar devices on a network, such as a local area network, without the need for a central controller or secondary wiring. A network telephone sends a broadcast over the network with a predetermined number. If there is no other telephone on the network, the network telephone assigns the predetermined number to itself and notifies the network. If there is another telephone on the network, the phone receives a message so indicating and a directory of numbers from which to choose a non-conflicting telephone number. When a non-conflicting number is found, the telephone adopts the number and informs the network. Voice mail and calls between outside lines and a network phone are supported as well.
37 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for automatically configuring a network phone system having a first network phone and a second network phone coupled to a network, comprising:
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receiving a directory message over the network from the second network phone, the directory message including a telephone directory that includes at least one assigned extension network phone number; finding a non-conflicting extension network phone number from the received telephone directory; adopting the found non-conflicting extension network phone number for the first network phone; and broadcasting the adopted non-conflicting extension network phone number over the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13)
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10. A method for configuring a network phone system having an at least one network phone coupled to network, comprising:
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selecting a predetermined extension network phone number as the number for the at least one network phone; broadcasting the predetermined extension network phone number over the network; requesting a phone directory be sent from any other network phone coupled to the network; and if no response is received, adopting the selected predetermined extension network phone number as the number for the at least one network phone. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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14. A first network phone useful in association with a second network phone, the first network phone and the second network phone coupled to a network, comprising:
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memory circuitry configured to receive a directory message over the network from the second network phone, the directory message including a telephone directory that includes at least one assigned extension network phone number; memory circuitry configured to find a non-conflicting extension network phone number from the received telephone directory; memory circuitry configured to adopt the found non-conflicting extension network phone number for the first network phone; and memory circuitry configured to broadcast the adopted non-conflicting extension network phone number over the network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A network phone coupled to a network, the network phone comprising:
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memory circuitry configured to select a predetermined extension network phone number as the number for the network phone; memory circuitry configured to broadcast the predetermined extension network phone number over the network; memory circuitry configured to request a phone directory be sent from any other network phone coupled to the network; and if no response is received, memory circuitry configured to adopt the selected predetermined extension network phone number as the number for the network phone. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification