Network-extensible and controllable telephone

Abstract

A system that includes a telephone adapted for connection to a data communications network. The telephone is capable of discovering other devices connected to the data communications network and using those devices to extend its own functionality. The telephone is also accessible and controllable by other devices on the data communications network.

1 . A system, comprising: 
 a data communication network;    a device communicatively connected to the data communication network; and    a telephone communicatively connected to the data communication network, wherein the telephone is adapted to discover the device, to invoke a first service provided by the device, and to use the first service to provide a second service to a user of the telephone.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to discover the device using a Universal Plug and Play protocol.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is further adapted to automatically assign a network address to the device.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke a directory service provided by the device, and to use the directory service to provide a telephone directory to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke an audio output service provided by the device, and to use the audio output service to provide a speakerphone function to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke an audio input service provided by the device, and to use the audio input service and an audio output service to provide a teleconferencing function to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke a video output service provided by the device, and to use the video output service to display video broadcasts to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke a video input service provided by the device, and to use the video input service, a video output service, an audio output service and an audio input service to provide a video teleconferencing function to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke a video output service provided by the device, and to use the video output service to render a display associated with the telephone on the first device.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke an audio output service provided by the device, and to use the audio output service to play a ring tone generated by the telephone on the device.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to invoke an authentication service provided by the device, and to use the authentication service to authenticate the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       12 . A method for operating a telephone communicatively connected to a data network, comprising: 
 discovering a device communicatively connected to the data communication network;    invoking a first service provided by the device; and    using the first service to provide a second service to a user of the telephone.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein discovering a device communicatively connected to the data communication network comprises using a Universal Plug and Play protocol.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 automatically assigning a network address to the device.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking a directory service and wherein using the first service comprises using the directory service to provide a telephone directory to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking an audio output service and wherein using the first service comprises using the audio output service to provide a speakerphone function to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking an audio input service and wherein using the first service comprises using the audio input service and an audio output service to provide a teleconferencing function to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking a video output service and wherein using the first service comprises using the video output service to display video broadcasts to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking a video input service, and wherein using the first service comprises using the video input service, a video output service, an audio input service, and an audio output service to provide a video teleconferencing function to the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking a video output service and wherein using the first service comprises using the video output service to render a display associated with the telephone on the first device.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking an audio output service and wherein using the first service comprises using the audio output service to play a ring tone generated by the telephone on the first device.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein invoking a first service comprises invoking an authentication service and wherein using the first service comprises using the authentication service to authenticate the user of the telephone.  
   
   
       23 . A system, comprising: 
 a data communication network;    one or more devices communicatively connected to the data communication network; and    a telephone communicatively connected to the data communication network, wherein the telephone is adapted to advertise a service provided by the telephone to the one or more devices communicatively connected to the data communication network, and to provide the service to one of the one or more devices in response to receiving a request for the service.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the telephone is adapted to advertise the service provided by the telephone in accordance with a Universal Plug and Play protocol.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises providing telephone user interface and signaling information.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises establishing a telephone call.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises transferring a telephone call.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises providing a teleconferencing function.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises playing an audio file.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises streaming audio information associated with a telephone call.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service comprises providing a notification of an incoming telephone call.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the telephone comprises a display, and wherein the service comprises providing a video output service using the display.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the telephone comprises a speaker, and wherein the service comprises providing an audio output service using the speaker.  
   
   
       34 . A method for operating a telephone communicatively connected to a data network, comprising: 
 advertising a service provided by the telephone to one or more devices communicatively connected to the data communication network;    receiving a request for the service from one of the one or more devices; and    providing the service to the one of the one or more devices in response to receiving the request.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein advertising a service provided by the telephone comprises advertising a service provided by the telephone in accordance with a Universal Plug and Play protocol.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises providing telephone user interface and signaling information.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises establishing a telephone call.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises transferring a telephone call.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises providing a teleconferencing function.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises playing an audio file.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises streaming audio information associated with a telephone call.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises providing a notification of an incoming telephone call.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises providing a video output service using a display portion of the telephone.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing the service comprises providing an audio output service using a speaker portion of the telephone.