NETWORK TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREFOR

摘要

A self-configuring telephone device (2851) interconnected to other network telephone devices by a network, such as a local area network (2831), without the need for a central controller or secondary wiring. A network telephone (2851) sends a broadcast over the network with a predetermined number. If there is another telephone with the predetermined number, the phone (2851) receives a message so indicating and a directory of numbers from which to choose a non-conflicting telephone number. Voice mail (2827) and calls betwe en outside lines and a network phone are supported. A telephony interface provides connectivity between one or more netphones and an external telephon e network such as a PSTN telephone system (2844). The network interface provid es connectivity between one or more computers and an external computer network such as the Internet (2819). The local area network (2831) provides interconnectivity between the network(s), the computer(s), the telephony interface and the network interface.