Method and System to Add Video Capability to any Voice over Internet Protocol (Vo/IP) Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Phone

Abstract

Systems and methods of configuring an add-on device to augment the capability of existing endpoint infrastructure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a video add-on device is configured to receive, augment or downgrade, and forward messages for an existing SIP audio-only phone. The video add-on device in this embodiment can receive messages from the existing SIP audio-only phone and augment the messages with information regarding the additional video capabilities being provided. The messages can then be forwarded to an infrastructure SIP Proxy/Registrar for further routing. From the perspective of the infrastructure SIP Proxy/Registrar and other network attached devices the outbound messages from the video add-on device appear as if they originated from the video add-on device, other devices will not be directly aware of the existing SIP audio phone providing its designed function. Utilizing devices similar to the disclosed video add-on device may allow incremental corporate network endpoint upgrades.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of supporting backward compatibility of networked endpoint devices comprising:
 receiving, at an add-on device, a message from a first endpoint device directed to a second endpoint device wherein the message indicates support of a first set of one or more capabilities and support of a second set of one or more capabilities;   modifying the message at the add-on device by removing information about the second set of capabilities, the second set of capabilities including an additional capability supported by the add-on device, the additional capability not supported by the second endpoint device;   altering attributes of the message to make the message appear to other devices that the message originated at the add-on device;   altering control attributes of the message to be consistent with the removing of information; and   transmitting the modified message from the add-on device to the second endpoint device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second endpoint device comprises an audio-only device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  where the audio-only device supports Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second endpoint device supports H.323 protocol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the additional capability includes support for data streams comprising video data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the second endpoint device comprises an audio-only phone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the additional capability includes support for data streams comprising electronic whiteboard capabilities. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first endpoint device is configured for identifying the add-on device as an outbound recipient of a data stream from the endpoint device. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at an add-on device, a message directed to a SIP endpoint wherein the message supports a first set of one or more capabilities and a second set of one or more capabilities;   modifying the message at the add-on device by removing information about the second set of capabilities, the second set of capabilities including an additional capability supported by the add-on device, the additional capability not supported by the SIP endpoint device;   altering attributes of the message to make the message appear to other devices that the message originated at the add-on device;   altering control attributes of the message in accordance with the removing of information; and   transmitting the modified message from the add-on device to the SIP endpoint device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the SIP endpoint device is an audio-only phone. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the additional capability includes support for data streams comprising video data. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the SIP endpoint device is an audio-only phone. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the additional capability includes support for data streams comprising electronic whiteboard capabilities. 
     
     
         14 . An add-on device comprising:
 a network interface communicatively coupled to a network; and   a programmable control device communicatively coupled to the network interface and programmed to:
 receive a message from an endpoint device wherein the message supports a first set of one or more capabilities, supports a second set of one or more capabilities, and identifies a specific destination; 
 modify the message to remove information about a second set of capabilities, the second set of capabilities including an additional capability supported by the add-on device, the additional capability not supported by a second endpoint device at the specific destination; 
 alter attributes of the message to make the message appear to other devices that the message originated at the add-on device; 
 alter control attributes of the message to be consistent with the removal of information; and 
 transmit the modified message from the add-on device to the second endpoint device. 
   
     
     
         15 . The add-on device of  claim 14  wherein the add-on device supports the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). 
     
     
         16 . The add-on device of  claim 14  wherein the add-on device supports the H.323 protocol. 
     
     
         17 . The add-on device of  claim 14  wherein the second set of capabilities comprises video data capabilities. 
     
     
         18 . The add-on device of  claim 14  wherein the second set of capabilities comprises electronic whiteboard capabilities. 
     
     
         19 . The add-on device of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a video device capable of augmenting the capabilities of one or more endpoint devices coupled to the network. 
 
     
     
         20 . The add-on device of  claim 19  wherein the video device comprises a video input device.