`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,556,564 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 29, 2003
`
`Primary Examiner Douglas Olms
`ASSistant Examiner Bob A. Phunkulh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Weingarten, Schurgin,
`Gagnebin & Lebovici LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Rogers
`
`(54) SCHEDULED INTERNET PROTOCOL
`TELEPHONE INSTRUMENT SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventor: Steven A. Rogers, Alton, NH (US)
`(73) Assignee: Cetacean Networks, Inc., Portsmouth,
`NH (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 66 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/780,685
`1-1.
`(22) Filed:
`(65)
`
`Feb. 8, 2001
`Prior Publication Data
`
`A LAN telephone which makes voice telephone calls over a
`local area network (LAN) data network. Acoustic voice
`Sounds are digitally encoded and transmitted as data, Over
`the LAN. The disclosed telephone simultaneously receives
`LAN data packets and decodes them, translating the data
`into acoustic audio voice Sounds. All communications with
`the network occur through the use of the LAN, including
`data for call control and for voice Signals. The disclosed
`LAN telephone uses a packet Scheduling technique to pre
`vent packet collision, delay or loSS. The Scheduling tech
`US 2001/0033565 A1 Oct. 25, 2001
`nique relies on time of transmission and arrival to Switch
`Related U.S. Application Data
`packets. Additionally, the disclosed LAN telephone is oper
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/181,099, filed on Feb. 8,
`able to receive power from a data Switch, using LAN wiring.
`2000.
`The instrument further includes a means for attaching
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................ H04L 1266
`peripheral devices through an electronic interface System, as
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 370,352. 370,443. 370,498
`well as an internal System for allowing the telephone to be
`379/88.17
`moved, from one connection to another, without changing
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 370,352,353,
`the telephone number. The instrument also provides a Sys
`370/354, 355, 356, 389, 419, 474, 476
`tem for automatically changing the internal control Software
`s 442, 443, 444, 49s; 709iss, 17
`of the instrument, or of any connected peripheral. A System
`for connecting an external “speaker-phone' system is also
`References Cited
`disclosed, which gives the instrument's user the ability to
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`place the Voice audio Source and pickup in a location that is
`SR A
`g Ely al. ............. E. convenient to the user and not necessarily co-located with
`57. A
`1000
`N., "... 256 the instrument itself.
`5,832.275 A 11/1998 Olds ................... ... 395/712
`6,185,184 B1
`2/2001 Mattaway et al. .......... 370/230
`21 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`(56)
`
`2Y----Y-2
`
`Ollet al. ..................
`
`- - - Schedule Interval 40 - - -
`-T
`
`Schedule Assignment
`
`Heartbeat
`Packet
`41
`
`Voice Packet(s
`)
`it
`Data "A1" 42
`
`W
`
`Voice Packet(s)
`A
`3
`Data "A2" 4
`
`Schedule Assignment for First Telephone "A"
`
`H
`eartbeat
`Packet
`41
`
`
`
`
`
`Voice Packet(s)
`Data B1 and A1
`46
`
`Voice Packet(s)
`Data B1 and A1
`47
`--- H
`Schedule Assignment for
`Two Telephones ("A", and "B") Active
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 29, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`LAN Cable
`
`Handse
`
`Left
`ACCeSSOfy
`Connector 4
`
`
`
`Telephone Handset
`10
`
`Wall Jack 11
`14
`
`E.
`("L.
`O
`18
`Telephone Handset
`13
`
`is 4"
`
`EEE
`O
`
`o
`Station Cable 14
`
`N Instrument Cable 18
`
`12
`
`Prior Art
`
`Status Display 3
`
`
`
`Operator
`Console 7
`
`LAN Telephone
`Base Unit 6
`
`Punch-down Block
`12
`
`-
`E
`
`WAN Link
`17
`
`-
`E
`-
`
`to
`
`PBX
`16
`
`Multipair Cable
`15
`
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`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`Telephone Handset 21
`
`O)
`O
`
`Telephone Power
`Supply 29
`HC
`
`Network Server(s) 26
`
`-
`
`29
`
`-C
`
`Telephone Handset 23
`
`t
`SSS
`O
`O
`
`Desktop Computer(s) 24
`
`Telephony Server 27
`
`
`
`s
`O
`
`Wide Area
`Telephone interface
`28
`
`Telephony Server Link 30
`
`odo
`O
`EDOOOO
`BBHBO
`ODOC
`
`g do to bot
`
`Telephone Handset 25
`
`29
`
`-
`
`OOE
`
`Local Area Network
`Switch 22
`
`FIG. 3
`Prior Art
`
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`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`- Schedule Interval 40 -
`H
`Schedule Assignment
`FIG. 4(a)
`
`41
`
`aCKe
`
`Voice Packet(s
`)
`Data "A1" 42
`
`Voice Packet(s)
`Data "A2" 4
`3
`
`on a
`Schedule Assignment for First Telephone "A"
`FIG. 4(b)
`
`Heartbeat
`
`Packet
`
`41
`
`)
`Voice Packet(s
`Data "B1" 44
`
`(S)
`Voice Packet(s
`Data "B2" 45 Y t
`
`Schedule Assignment for Second Telephone "B"
`FIG. 4(c)
`
`.
`
`Voice Packet(s)
`2 Data B1 and A1
`46
`
`Voice Packet(s)
`Data B1 and A1
`47
`O --
`Schedule Assignment for
`Two Telephones ("A", and "B") Active
`FIG. 4(d)
`
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`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`s
`Right Accessory
`Connector 52
`
`Handset
`Connector 70
`
`Left ACcessory
`Connector 53
`Handset
`Connector 72
`Signal Conditioning
`72
`
`Internal Speaker 69
`Internal Microphone 68
`LAN Connector
`67
`
`Dual-Voltage Power
`
`-
`
`- -r ur
`
`Conditioning 54 (AVAWAV)
`
`--
`
`- - - -
`
`POWer
`
`Circuit
`
`66
`
`A to D
`D to A
`Converters \
`73
`
`Microprocessor 74
`
`Seria "USB"
`Interface
`Circuits 55
`
`--
`
`- - - - -
`
`DC Power
`LANPhysical
`St/ Interface (PHY) 65
`
`Y
`
`
`
`Digital Signal
`PrOCeSSOr 75
`
`LAN Media
`Access Controller
`(MAC) 64
`
`Microprocessor
`BUS 76
`
`Text Display
`63
`
`Output Latches 62
`
`indicators 61
`
`Input
`Latches
`60
`RAM Memory 58
`Flash Memory 57
`ROM Memory 56
`Key Switches 59
`
`FIG. 5
`
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`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`Accessory
`POWer
`System
`86
`
`C. | DC
`Lyss
`Network / O y rter
`83
`
`Accessory
`48VDC 5VDC Power
`System
`in
`Out
`85
`
`Transmit 48VDC ... -
`Pair
`
`Data
`
`POWer
`
`us
`
`Receive 48VDC p. --
`Data
`POWer
`
`Pin 1, 2
`
`Pin 3.. 6
`
`48 VDC
`POWer 1. Pair 3
`
`+
`
`Pin 45
`
`re- In
`w
`\
`48 VDC 48 VDC . , t
`Pin 7,8
`Powe Parc H
`Power
`LAN Connector NSurge Arrestor
`80
`82
`
`LAN Telephone
`Curcuit Card
`81
`
`FIG. 6
`
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`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VCC +48
`
`Cuurent Sense
`ResistorS 98
`
`48 VDC Power
`Switch 99
`
`VoC
`+5 or 48 VDC 100
`
`VOC +5 VDC 91
`
`5 WDC POWer
`SWitch 97
`
`LV Comparator 93
`put Buffer 94
`Microproccessor Bus 9
`
`
`
`FIG. 7(a)
`
`Output Latch
`
`ACCessory
`USB "A"
`Power Gnd Connector
`103
`104
`
`
`
`
`
`Pin 1
`
`Pin 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`To Accessory Downstream
`Input Power Bus
`--5 Of 48 VDC - /Q Power Circuit
`Ho-o-
`118
`NC
`Current Limit
`Resistor 10
`5-3.3 DC-DC
`O
`NO Converter 114
`Power select
`Switch 113
`--Input
`Buffer 119
`
`116
`
`Accessory
`Power 17
`
`
`
`D + 107
`
`O
`
`48-5DC-DC
`Converter 112
`D
`48V
`Comparator 111
`
`Voltage Level
`Resistor 108 Power Gnd 109
`FIG. 7(b)
`
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`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`Right ACCeSSOry
`Connector 120
`
`Left ACCessory
`Connector 121
`
`Dual-Voltage Power
`Conditioning 122
`Output Latches
`128
`Microprocessor
`24
`
`Key Switch Matrix
`130
`
`indicators 13
`
`Serial "USB"
`Interface
`Circuits 123
`
`Output Latches
`132
`
`Text
`Display 133
`
`Input
`Latches
`129
`Data and Address BUS
`34
`
`RAM Memory 127
`Flash Memory 126
`ROM Memory 125
`
`FIG. 8
`
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`Sheet 8 of 14
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`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`
`
`Hard
`Reset 140
`
`
`
`initialization and Self Test 141
`
`Initial Display 142
`
`o Version
`
`Fail
`RAM, Power
`
`Power init Display
`143
`
`/
`Fail Display
`146
`
`DHCP Display
`148
`
`ocre
`
`-1
`
`
`
`
`
`Instrument IP Entry
`Display 151
`
`Enter instrument IP 150
`
`instrument PNumber=
`10,20122232
`
`
`
`Enter Server P 152
`
`Instrument IP Number
`10,201.222.37
`
`Server IP Entry
`Display 153
`
`FIG. 9(a)
`
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`Sheet 9 of 14
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`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`
`
`End
`Hard
`init 160
`
`
`
`POWer-On
`Start 161
`
`initialization and
`Self Test 162
`
`Init Display
`164
`
`initial Display 163
`
`vot -/
`
`de State
`165
`
`Y
`
`N
`
`ACCeSS DHCP
`IP 167
`
`Y/DHCP
`168
`
`N
`
`Delaw 169
`
`Send Logon
`
`L
`ogon
`
`Logon Failure LY
`172
`
`Logon Fail
`
`Response?
`174
`
`Y
`
`FIG. 9(b)
`
`Logon
`Display 171
`
`Logon Fail
`Display 175
`
`Ready Display
`177
`
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`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`Frost, Jack
`Screen record for:
`Instrument Serial Number 343-547-789-2001-34
`
`Switch:
`
`SWitch Slot:
`
`Lakeside 2
`
`SWitch Port:
`Physical Location:
`
`7/2439
`3-230-4
`
`InstrumentType:
`instrument Description:
`Extension Number.
`
`SES-2
`Single Executive Station
`6255
`
`User Record for LAN PhOne Auto-D
`
`FIG. 9(c)
`
`Location Record Switch: Lakeside 2
`
`Slot:
`
`User Record
`180
`
`3-230-4
`3-230-3
`3-231-3
`4-232-1
`5-233-1
`6-234-1
`
`Frost, Jack
`Conference Room, Small
`Morgon, Anna
`Clayton, Jean
`Brockton, George
`Unassigned
`
`LOCation
`ReCOrd 181
`
`Location Record for LAN Phone Auto-ID
`
`FIG. 9(d)
`
`
`
`
`
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`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`
`
`Receive Update
`Command 191
`
`Update
`
`Update Program
`Display 201
`
`Authenticate and Send
`Response 192
`
`Receive Update 193
`
`Send Update
`Fail Message 194
`
`Perform Error
`Check 195
`
`Store in Flash
`Memory 197
`
`Send Update AcK
`198
`
`Ready
`200
`
`FIG. I.0
`
`Update OKDisplay
`199
`|-
`
`OKVersion 12
`
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`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`SpeakerPhone
`ACCessory 210
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Microphone Array
`21
`
`
`
`"On-Off" indicator
`219
`On-Off Button
`218
`
`Speaker and
`Microphone 212
`Microphone Array
`- (Hidden) 214
`
`M
`
`Mute Button 213 Microphone Array
`- (Hidden) 214
`
`-
`-
`
`Mute indicator
`215
`
`Connector 216
`
`
`
`
`
`Accessory Cable
`217
`
`FIG. II
`
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`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`Upstream ACCessory
`Connector 220
`
`Front
`Microphone Array
`235
`
`Rear
`Mr. Array
`
`N
`
`Top Speaker 237
`/ Top Microphone 238
`
`- Signal Conditioning "
`234
`Dual-Voltage Power
`Conditioning 221
`
`V. V V V AV
`
`A to D
`D to A
`Accessory
`Power 222 Converters
`233
`Microprocessor 232
`
`Serial "USB"
`Interface
`Circuits 223
`
`w
`V
`- w
`Digital Signal
`ProceSSOf 231
`
`Microprocessor
`Address & Data
`BuS 238
`
`Input
`Latches
`228
`RAM Memory 226
`Flash Memory 225
`ROM Memory 224
`
`Mute, On-Off
`Switches 227
`
`Y Output Latches 62
`
`Mute, On-Off
`Switches 230
`
`Internal Block Diagram for Speakerphone Accessory
`FIG. I2
`
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`Sheet 14 of 14
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`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`Off Axis PerSOn
`240
`
`
`
`
`
`Front
`Microphone
`Array 241
`
`Speakerphone
`Accesory 246
`
`Rear
`Microphone
`Array 245
`
`Centered Person
`>";
`
`
`
`Microphone 242
`
`Speaker 243
`
`FIG. I.3
`
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`US 6,556,564 B2
`
`1
`SCHEDULED INTERNET PROTOCOL
`TELEPHONE INSTRUMENT SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application claims priority under 35 USC S119(e) to
`provisional application serial No. 60/181,099, entitled
`“LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) TELEPHONE
`INSTRUMENT SYSTEM”, and filed Feb. 8, 2000.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`N/A
`
`2
`phones 21, 23 and 25 can use the Same wiring and data
`Switches as are used to convey LAN data, thus resulting in
`increased flexibility and overall lower cost.
`A significant problem with the LAN-PBX approach illus
`trated in FIG. 3 is that telephony data has different delivery
`requirements than normal computer and Server data. Tele
`phony data must be delivered on-time (within a few
`milliseconds), and without delay, on a continuous basis.
`Normal computer data can usually Suffer delays of a few
`hundred milliseconds without difficulty. Delays of this mag
`nitude (a few hundred milliseconds) are common in com
`puter networks. They occur because computer data is trans
`mitted at a variable and unpredictable rate. As a result, there
`can be momentary blockages and congestion, even though
`the network has adequate bandwidth for the average data
`load.
`Existing LAN-PBX systems attempt to solve this problem
`by giving telephony data priority over computer data. In the
`event of data congestion, Such existing Systems pass tele
`phony data ahead of computer data. This priority System can
`work when only one telephone with data to transmit is
`present on a given circuit at a given time. However, when a
`circuit must carry multiple telephone connections, the con
`gestion problem can arise again. This happens because
`multiple packets with equivalent priority give no means for
`arbitration. Consider the Telephony Server Link 30 shown in
`FIG. 3. When multiple telephone calls are placed to the
`WAN interface 28 they must all pass through the link 30. In
`that event, multiple telephony data packets, all having
`equivalent priority, may simultaneously require shared tele
`phony Server link 30 resource. A priority mechanism cannot
`distinguish between them, and the packets cannot interfere
`with one another.
`Another problem with the LAN-PBX is that Ethernet
`cables and Switches make no provision for providing power.
`Generally, in an Ethernet-based system as shown in FIG. 3,
`power is provided by a separate telephone power Supply 29
`at each Station or instrument. As a result, it is difficult to
`operate the entire network in the event of a power outage.
`The user must provide backup power at each instrument,
`instead of centrally, as is possible with a typical PBX
`System.
`Additionally, both PBX and LAN-PBX systems have
`difficulty Supporting multiple types of instruments, in a
`flexible manner. Some instruments need many features,
`while others need only basic capabilities. There is no con
`venient way to extend or modify an instrument's behavior
`without complete replacement. That is, accessories to instru
`ments are rarely Supported.
`Typical existing PBX systems, such as the one illustrated
`in FIG. 2, Suffer from another problem. The telephone
`number of a particular handset is determined by the circuit
`jack to which it is attached. This is inconvenient, as users
`may need to move a handset from one jack to another, while
`maintaining the same telephone number. Under Such
`circumstances, the typical PBX user must reconfigure the
`Switch.
`Finally, existing LAN telephones are operated by inter
`nally stored control software. Such software must normally
`be installed Separately into each instrument. This procedure
`makes Software updates and corrections difficult, Since each
`instrument must be reloaded individually.
`For the reasons stated above, it would be desirable to have
`a LAN telephone instrument System which uses the same
`wiring System as is used to convey data transmission, and
`which operates without the delays that may occur in existing
`
`15
`
`35
`
`40
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to telephone
`instruments, and more Specifically to telephone instruments
`that are directly connected to a data LAN (Local Area
`Network).
`AS it is generally known, telephone Systems for busineSS
`use normally consist of a central Switch or Private Branch
`exchange (PBX), illustrated by PBX 16 shown in FIG. 2,
`which connects to telephones throughout the busineSS Via a
`25
`twisted pair wire 14 and 15. An example of such a system
`configuration is depicted in FIG. 2. In most cases the PBX
`16 will use a single twisted pair cable 14 to connect with the
`telephone instrument 13. During operation of the System
`shown in FIG. 2, the PBX 16 sends signals to and receives
`signals from the telephone instruments 10 and 13 via a
`frequency translated modem System.
`Existing PBX Systems typically use dedicated wiring,
`shown as multi-pair cables 15 in FIG. 2, connected to the
`PBX 16. The multi-pair cables 15 are connected to punch
`down blocks 12. The punch-down blocks 12 are normally
`placed in a closet on the floor of the office building, near the
`telephone instruments 10 and 13. The individual station
`cables 14 are also connected to the punch-down blockS 12.
`The station cables 14 lead to the wall jacks 11. The telephone
`instruments 10 and 13 are connected to the system via
`instrument cables 18 to the wall jack 11. The telephones 10
`and 13 are powered via a DC current that is carried by the
`Same pair as that used for Signaling. Telephone calls are
`made outside the premises via a Wide Area Network (WAN)
`link 17 connected to the PBX unit 16. The WAN link 17 is
`often a multi-channel circuit, Such as what are commonly
`referred to as “T1 or “PRI' linkS.
`The typical existing PBX system requires dedicated wir
`ing. It does not share wiring with the data LAN that is
`common in most businesses. Thus, two wiring networks are
`normally required within an office building, one for data and
`one for telephones.
`Recently, a technique for creating a “virtual PBX has
`been employed that is referred to as a “LAN-PBX.” In this
`technique, the telephone instrument uses a common Ethernet
`LAN cable, instead of a Single twisted pair cable, to com
`municate with the PBX. An illustrative LAN-PBX system is
`shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the PBX is actually a
`telephony server 27 with Switch control software that is
`connected to the LAN. The telephones 21, 23 and 25 are
`Ethernet LAN devices that also communicate over the LAN.
`Thus the telephony application, consisting of telephones 21,
`23, and 25, and a telephony server 27, attached to a WAN
`interface 28, can utilize the same Switch 22 as the computers
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`24 and network data servers 26. The advantage of the
`LAN-PBX architecture shown in FIG. 3 is that the tele
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`systems. It would further be desirable to have a LAN
`telephone instrument System which a) operates using power
`Supplied over Ethernet cables, b) provides for accessory
`attachments, c) can maintain a phone number even when
`moved to a new jack, and d) enables convenient download
`ing of Software.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Consistent with the present invention, a LAN telephone
`instrument is disclosed. The disclosed LAN telephone uses
`a Time-based Routing (TBR) technique to schedule packets
`of voice-telephony data. Through use of the Time-Based
`Routing technique, the problems of multiple LAN telephone
`instruments Sending contending or colliding packets is
`avoided. The disclosed LAN telephone operates in connec
`tion with a system for providing power to the LAN tele
`phone instrument through an attached LAN cable. This
`allows multiple LAN telephone instruments to be centrally
`powered.
`The disclosed LAN telephone further includes a technique
`for automatically providing a remote Switch with location of
`the LAN telephone instrument, thus enabling automatic
`direction of calls thereto. Additionally, a System for remote
`configuration of the control program of a LAN telephone
`instrument is also disclosed, which employs the LAN itself
`to provide the data connection over which the control
`program is downloaded.
`The present disclosure further includes a System for
`attachment of telephone instrument accessories, which may
`be used to extend the functional capability of the LAN
`telephone instrument. An illustrative accessory, an operator
`console, is described in detail.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
`The invention will be more fully understood by reference
`to the following detailed description of the invention in
`conjunction with the drawings, of which:
`FIG. 1 shows a physical depiction of the LAN telephone,
`with an operator console accessory unit, and an internal
`Speakerphone unit;
`FIG. 2 depicts a typical Private Branch Exchange (PBX);
`FIG. 3 depicts a typical LAN-PBX system;
`FIGS. 4a–4a show schedule assignment for two of the
`disclosed LAN phones Sharing the same circuit path;
`FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative internal block diagram for an
`embodiment of the disclosed LAN telephone;
`FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative Schematic diagram showing
`an external power System for an embodiment of the dis
`closed LAN telephone;
`FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show an illustrative schematic dia
`gram for an accessory power System and interface System;
`FIG. 8 shows an illustrative block diagram of an operator
`console accessory unit;
`FIGS. 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) show software flowcharts
`and entry fields of an automatic identification System for the
`disclosed LAN telephone;
`FIG. 10 shows a Software flowchart of the disclosed
`control program change System;
`FIG. 11 shows a physical depiction of the disclosed
`external Speakerphone accessory;
`FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of the disclosed speak
`erphone accessory; and
`FIG. 13 illustrates the beam-steering technique of the
`disclosed speakerphone accessory.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`All disclosures of provisional application Serial No.
`60/181,099, entitled “LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
`TELEPHONE INSTRUMENT SYSTEM”, and filed Feb. 8,
`2000, are hereby included by reference herein.
`FIG. 1 shows a physical representation of an embodiment
`of the disclosed LAN telephone. The embodiment of the
`LAN telephone shown in FIG. 1 includes a base unit 6
`containing electronics circuitry necessary to provide the
`functions associated with the base unit 6 as described herein.
`The base unit 6 Supports a handset 2, an internal Speaker 5
`for Speakerphone functions, and a status display 3 for
`displaying user Status information. The base unit 6 may be
`connected to a data Switch via a LAN cable 1, for example
`by way of a conventional data cable infrastructure, Such as
`that shown in FIG. 3. An accessory connector is provided on
`each side of the base unit 6, as illustrated by left accessory
`connector 4. Using the accessory connectors, it is possible to
`add a variety of accessory devices, including an operator
`console 7 as shown in FIG. 1, and/or an external Speaker
`phone.
`The internal circuitry of an illustrative embodiment of the
`base unit 6 is shown in FIG. 5. The embodiment of the
`disclosed LAN telephone shown in FIG. 5 is implemented as
`a microprocessor based System. Specifically, a microproces
`Sor 74 is shown attached to a parallel microprocessor bus 76,
`which provides an interface to various components via its
`address and data lines. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the
`microprocessor 74 may, for example, be a Reduced Instruc
`tion Set Computer (RISC) processor, using a 16 bit wide
`data bus. The bus 76 is also connected to a Read Only
`Memory (ROM) 56, Flash Memory 57, and a Read And
`write Memory (RAM) 58. The bus 76 further connects to
`USB interface circuits 55, as well as input latches 60 and
`output latches 62. The bus 76 additionally connects to a
`LAN Media Access Controller 64, a text display 63 and a
`Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 75.
`The organization of the hardware shown in FIG. 5 advan
`tageously permits features of the disclosed LAN telephone
`to be implemented using control Software. For example, the
`microprocessor 74 may use three types of memory to Store
`Such control software: ROM 56, Flash 57 and RAM 58. The
`ROM 56 may be used to store the microprocessor's basic
`initialization program. When the LAN telephone is powered
`on, usually by attachment to the powered LAN cable 1, the
`microprocessor 74 first executes a portion of its control code
`that is stored in the ROM 56. The control code program
`stored in the ROM 56 causes the microprocessor 74 to
`initialize all hardware peripherals of the LAN telephone,
`such as the MAC 64 and the output latches 62. The control
`code program stored in the ROM 56 further performs a
`self-test of the LAN telephone. The self test includes check
`ing the microprocessor itself, testing the RAM 58 and
`performing a checksum verification of the contents of ROM
`56 and the Flash memory 57. The ROM 56 also contains
`program code operable to load the Flash memory from the
`MAC 64.
`One of the indicators 61, for example a light emitting
`diode (LED), is placed on the bottom of the LAN telephone,
`near the LAN connector. This LED indicator is attached to
`a flip-flop register that automatically resets itself on each
`power up, thus causing the LED indicator to turn on. AS the
`microprocessor 74 finishes its Self-test, it toggles the “Set
`line on the flip-flop register by activating a one bit port on
`the output latches 62. This action causes the LED indicator
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`to turn off. In this way, the LAN telephone's main electron
`ics module can indicate if it is functioning properly. The
`control code instructions stored in the ROM 56 may, in
`addition, also display an “OK” message in the text display
`63. However, in the event that the text display 63
`malfunctions, the LED indicator will still operate.
`When the microprocessor 74 finishes executing the con
`trol program code stored in the ROM 56, it then executes
`control program code stored in the flash memory 57. The
`main body of the LAN telephone control program function
`ality is stored in the flash memory 57. Flash memory 57 is
`advantageously capable of having its contents updated or
`replaced. Through use of this capability of the flash memory
`57, the LAN telephone can be loaded with new program
`code providing additional or modified functionality.
`Similarly, a fault or bug in the control program can be
`repaired, by Storing a new program into the flash memory
`57. If no program code is loaded in the flash memory 57, or
`if the program in the flash memory 57 does not yield a proper
`error check, then the microprocessor will enter an idle State.
`In this idle State, the microprocessor awaits a new control
`program to be downloaded into the LAN phone, for example
`from a LAN Switch.
`The RAM memory 58 is used for the storage of program
`variables and state information. The RAM 58 may have part
`or all of its memory protected via a “battery backup”. In this
`way variable values can be maintained acroSS a power
`failure.
`During operation, the disclosed LAN telephone may
`communicate with other LAN telephones via the LAN to
`which it is attached. The LAN telephone uses the LAN MAC
`64 to Send and receive packets of data in Ethernet format.
`The LAN MAC 64 is connected to the LAN cable using a
`PHYsical interface (PHY) 65. The PHY 65 provides level
`and impedance translation, as well as other Signal condi
`tioning needed to Send packets over a twisted pair wire. The
`PHY 65 is connected to the LAN Connector 67. The LAN
`Connector 67 may, for example, be a conventional “RJ'
`style connector (e.g. RJ-45). The PHY 65 uses two twisted
`40
`pair wires within the cable bundle attached to the LAN
`Connector 67, one for transmit data and one for receive data.
`In an illustrative embodiment, the disclosed LAN tele
`phone obtains its operating power from the LAN cable 1
`shown in FIG. 1, through the LAN Connector 67. This
`embodiment makes use of another, normally unused wire
`pair in the cable bundle to receive power, for example from
`a LAN Switch. The received power is conditioned and
`voltage translated via the power circuit 66. This power
`circuit 66 is further described herein with reference to FIGS.
`6 and 7.
`The LAN telephone base unit 6, as shown in FIG. 1,
`includes a number of user buttons, shown for purposes of
`illustration as key Switches 59 in FIG. 5. The key switches
`59 may be operated by a user, in order to dial calls, and/or
`to access various features of the LAN telephone. The states
`of the key switches 59 are determined by the microprocessor
`74 as it reads the contents of the input latches 60. The input
`latches 60 are connected to the key Switches 59. In this way,
`more key Switches can be accommodated, for a given
`number of input latch ports. The microprocessor 74 reads the
`key Switches 59 periodically, for example, at times deter
`mined by an internal interrupt. The microprocessor 74
`rejects spurious key transitions, only accepting those that are
`active for at least a minimum time.
`LED indicators on the disclosed LAN telephone may be
`used to display call Status. The microprocessor 74 may
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`control the State of Such indicators, as needed, via com
`mands to the output latches 62.
`The text display 63 in the embodiment of FIG. 5 may, for
`example, be a two-line Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The
`text display 63 may receive power from a circuit card within
`the LAN telephone. The microprocessor 74 writes messages
`to the text display 63 to provide assistance to the user.
`Accessories may be connected to the disclosed LAN
`telephone via a modified Universal Serial Bus (USB) inter
`face. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, this interface
`is provided via USB controllers 55, which are connected to
`the bus 76. The microprocessor 74 may send and receive
`messages and commands to accessories via this modified
`USB interface. The USB Controllers 55 are connected to the
`left 53 and right 52 accessory connectors via a power
`conditioning circuit 54.
`Connection to the handset 2 shown in FIG. 1 is made via
`the DSP 75 shown in FIG. 5. The DSP 75 is an integrated
`processor that is optimized for manipulating analog signals
`that are translated into digital form. The DSP 75 is connected
`to the bus 76. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the DSP 75
`includes an internal dual-port RAM, which is connected to
`a DSP core processor and to the bus 76. In this way, the DSP
`75 may be issued commands and its control program loaded
`by the microprocessor 74, out of the flash memory 57, over
`the bus 76. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the DSP 75
`also includes an internal ROM, which can contain a basic
`“Boot” program for the DSP. After initialization, the DSP 75
`provides a message, via its dual-port memory, to the micro
`processor 74, indicating that the DSP 75 is ready to accept
`its control program. The control program of the DSP 75 is
`loaded into DSP memory, by the microprocessor 74, prior to
`the LAN telephone entering a “Ready’ state. In the Ready
`State, the LAN telephone is ready to accept and place
`telephone calls.
`The DSP 75 is further shown connected to the analog
`inputs and outputs Via Analog to Digital (A to D) and Digital
`to Analog (D to A) converters 73. The converters 73 translate
`the analog, Voltage-based signal into a digital signal. In the
`embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the A to D and D to A
`converters 73 are combined into one package, providing
`two-way translation. The handset 2 (FIG. 1), and a headset
`(not shown), are connected to the base unit via the handset
`connector 71 and headset connector 70 shown in FIG. 5. The
`internal speaker 69 and internal microphone 68 shown in
`FIG. 5 are directly connected to the DSP 75 via a signal
`conditioning element 72. The Signal conditioning element
`72 also provides an interface to the handset connector 71 and
`the headset connectorS 70. The Signal conditioning element
`72 provides Signal limiting, gain or attenuation, filtering, and
`power, as needed.
`To initiate or receive telephone calls, the LAN telephone
`receives control messages from a Switch or telephone Server,
`via the LAN to which it is connected. These messages and
`asSociated responses are used to initiate telephony Sessions.
`For example, when a call is in progreSS, Speech audio is
`received by the microphone of the handset 2, and conveyed
`through Signal conditioning element 72 and converter 73 to
`the DSP 75. The speech audio is thus sampled and converted
`into a stream of digital numbers (“samples”) by the A-D
`functionality of the converters 73. Each such number rep
`resents the Voltage of the received microphone speech
`signal. The DSP 75 then places these samples in its internal
`RAM and Signals the microprocessor 74 when an appropri
`ate number of Samples are ready for processing. At this
`point, the microprocessor