Network switch employing a proxy to facilitate power savings in a telephone network
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a network interface having a signature resistance;
a telephone circuit coupled with the network interface;
power save logic coupled with the telephone circuit and with the network interface; and
a non-volatile memory coupled with the power save logic;
wherein the power save logic is configured to switch the telephone circuit between an active state and a power save state;
wherein the power save logic is further configured to selectively send a signal to an associated network switch coupled with the network interface indicating the telephone circuit is switching to the power save state and to store registration information in the non-volatile memory;
wherein the power save logic is configured to selectively change the signature resistance of the network interface to indicate to the associated network switch coupled with the network interface that the apparatus is switching from the active state to the power save state; and
wherein the power save logic is configured to selectively directly maintain an active network connection with an associated call control service for the apparatus when the apparatus is in the power save state and in an absence of the associated network switch acting as a proxy for maintaining the active network connection on behalf of the power save logic.
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Abstract
In an example embodiment, an IP phone is connected to a network switch that has an established communications channel to a call control server. The network switch acts as a proxy for the phone exchanging registration information that in effect keeps the phone registered while the phone itself can go to sleep as defined by periods of the day, periods where the phone is unused, or presence, which can then wake-up quickly with assistance from the switch. If the switch is not able to act as proxy, the phone can switch from sleep mode to “wake” up mode at predetermined intervals, such as every 30 seconds, in order to respond to keep alive packets from the call control server.
19 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a network interface having a signature resistance; a telephone circuit coupled with the network interface; power save logic coupled with the telephone circuit and with the network interface; and a non-volatile memory coupled with the power save logic; wherein the power save logic is configured to switch the telephone circuit between an active state and a power save state; wherein the power save logic is further configured to selectively send a signal to an associated network switch coupled with the network interface indicating the telephone circuit is switching to the power save state and to store registration information in the non-volatile memory; wherein the power save logic is configured to selectively change the signature resistance of the network interface to indicate to the associated network switch coupled with the network interface that the apparatus is switching from the active state to the power save state; and wherein the power save logic is configured to selectively directly maintain an active network connection with an associated call control service for the apparatus when the apparatus is in the power save state and in an absence of the associated network switch acting as a proxy for maintaining the active network connection on behalf of the power save logic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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initiating, by a telephone coupled with an associated network, a transition from an active state to a power save state; sending a signal to an associated switch coupled with the telephone, the signal indicating the telephone is transitioning to the power save state; storing registration information in a non-volatile memory; changing a signature resistance at a network interface to indicate the transition to the power save state; entering the power save state; initiating an active keep-alive session between the associated switch and an associated call control center while the telephone is in the power save state; and selectively directly maintaining, by the telephone, the keep-alive session in an absence of the associated switch acting as a proxy for maintaining the active keep-alive session on behalf of the telephone. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification