P2P IP Telephone Proxy Interface for Distributed Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Internet Protocol (IP) telephone systems, configuration data is distributed across multiple devices, making it difficult for users to access and update without a central controller, as each device may hold different types of data, and existing systems lack efficient methods for data dissemination and user interface access.
Innovation Solution
A telephone terminal with circuitry for IP network communication and a server that displays a network-accessible user interface, relays configuration data requests between devices, establishes sessions with client and target terminals, and verifies session cookies to facilitate data access and updates, enabling users to configure multiple terminals through a web browser interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is distributed across multiple devices in a P2P IP telephone system, then system flexibility and adaptability are improved, but data access and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a proxy telephone terminal as an intermediary device that mediates between the user interface and the distributed configuration data across multiple terminals. The proxy terminal receives user requests, retrieves relevant configuration data from appropriate sources, and presents it through a unified interface, thereby resolving the complexity of accessing distributed data while preserving system flexibility
2Reliability
If a central controller is eliminated in favor of distributed configuration, then system reliability and fault tolerance are improved, but user interface accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy terminal serves as a mediator that provides centralized user interface functionality without requiring a central controller for system operation. It consolidates configuration management tasks and presents a unified interface to users, maintaining ease of operation while the underlying system remains distributed and reliable
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy terminal performs multiple functions including serving as a regular telephone terminal, acting as a configuration server, and functioning as a client to other terminals. This multi-functionality allows it to provide centralized interface capabilities while maintaining the distributed architecture's reliability benefits
3Reliability
If configuration data is stored on individual devices, then data security and device independence are improved, but data dissemination efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy terminal acts as an intermediary that efficiently retrieves and disseminates configuration data from multiple distributed sources. It consolidates data from various terminals and presents it through a single interface, improving data dissemination efficiency while devices maintain their independent data storage and security
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide a Peer-to-Peer (P2P, Internet Protocol (IP) telephone system. The telephone system includes a plurality of terminals coupled together via an IP network. The terminals cooperate with one another to provide telephony features without a dedicated central controller such as a PBX and/or a KSU controller. The terminals may further receive requests for configuration data residing on other terminals, relay the requests to such other terminals to obtain the request configuration, and return the requested configuration data to the requesting device.