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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A telephone, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory having stored therein an operating system;   the telephone being adapted to connect to a data communication network, to advertise a service provided by the telephone to one or more devices communicatively connected to the data communication network, and to provide the service to a particular one of the one or more devices in response to receiving a request for the service therefrom, whereby the telephone operates as a peripheral to the particular one of the one or more devices to expand the capabilities thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone is adapted to advertise the service provided by the telephone in accordance with a Universal Plug and Play protocol. 
     
     
         3 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the service comprises providing telephone user interface and signaling information. 
     
     
         4 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the services comprises establishing a telephone call. 
     
     
         5 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the service comprises transferring a telephone call. 
     
     
         6 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the service comprises providing a teleconferencing function. 
     
     
         7 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the service comprises playing an audio file. 
     
     
         8 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the service comprises streaming audio information associated with a telephone call. 
     
     
         9 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the service comprises providing a notification of an incoming telephone call. 
     
     
         10 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone comprises a display and wherein the service comprises providing a video output service using the display. 
     
     
         11 . The telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the telephone comprises a speaker and wherein the service comprises providing an audio output service using the speaker. 
     
     
         12 . 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 a particular one of the one or more devices; and   providing the service to the particular one of the one or more devices in response to receiving the request, whereby the telephone operates as a peripheral to the particular one of the one or more devices to expand the capabilities thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein advertising the service provided by the telephone comprises advertising the service provided by the telephone in accordance with a Universal Plug and Play protocol. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the service comprises providing telephone user interface and signaling information. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the service comprises establishing a telephone call. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the service comprises transferring a telephone call. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the service comprises providing a teleconferencing function. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the service comprises playing an audio file. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the service comprises streaming audio information associated with a telephone call. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 one or more devices communicatively connected to a data communication network; and   a telephone communicatively connected to the data communication network, the telephone being adapted to advertise a service provided by the telephone to the one or more devices, and to provide the service to a particular one of the one or more devices in response to receiving a request for the service therefrom, whereby the telephone operates as a peripheral to the particular one of the one or more devices to expand the capabilities thereof.