Directory features in a distributed telephony system

摘要

A telephony system is presented that enables a phone to access a directory and use the directory in conjunction with other phone functions. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, a function module, a filter module, a presentation module, a phone interface module, and a storage interface module. A server sends a signal to a phone regarding the contents of a directory. A server also enables a user to navigate through the directory, filter the directory, and perform call functions on phone numbers associated with directory entries.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, from a phone, at a directory server comprising a processor and a memory, a request for a directory; generating and storing, at the directory server, a directory context associated with the phone, the directory context comprising (1) a part of the directory including one or more entries, (2) a first set of information associated with the one or more entries of the directory being displayed by the phone at the time of the request and (3) a call function associated with each of the one or more entries responsive to receiving the call function from the phone prior to the request for the directory; transmitting, from the directory server to the phone, a first display signal for displaying the directory context on the phone; receiving, from the phone, at the directory server, a navigation signal associated with navigation of the directory context; and transmitting, from the directory server to the phone, a second display signal responsive to the navigation signal, the second display signal associated with displaying on the phone a second set of information of the directory context that is independent and visually distinct from the first set of information.