Cisco Technology, Inc.

Mark R Nelson

Jeffery A Sanders

Richard B Platt

William C Forsythe

Clay W Luther

Alan W Treece

Paul S Hahn

Richard A Dunlap

K Paul Clark

Jeffrey A Sanders

Charles A Munro

A system includes a client which can communicate through a network and a database layer with any of several databases. The client communicates with the database layer using a public network communication protocol, in a manner independent of respective protocols specific to each of the databases. The database layer handles communication with each database according to the respective protocol of that database.

Method and apparatus for accessing a database through a network

A telephone is provided for delivering content to a client that is coupled to a communications network. The telephone includes a processor and a network interface operable to couple the telephone to the communications network. The telephone also includes a handset operable to provide oral communication by a user of the telephone using the network interface. Furthermore, the telephone includes a memory that is coupled to the processor and operable to store content for delivery to the client using the network interface. The content that is stored is associated with the operation of the telephone. In a particular embodiment, the client to which the content is delivered is a Web browser, and the content is at least one HyperText Markup Language document to be displayed in the Web browser.

Telephone-based hypertext transport protocol server

A system () includes a network () of the type used to interconnect computers, and includes a plurality of telephone units (-) which are coupled to the network. These telephone units have sufficient embedded intelligence so that they can carry out all of their intended functionality as telephones. The system thus does not include a physically separate master control computer which is coupled to the network to serve as a call manager server or key system unit that treats the telephones as slaves. Each telephone has a manually operable device such as thumbwheels (), which can be used to specify a unique number that forms part of the network address of the telephone and which also serves as the extension number for that telephone. One or more of the telephones can optionally be coupled to respective telephone lines (-) of a conventional public switching telephone network (). Also, several computers (-) may optionally be coupled to the network, and communicate with each other through the network.

Method and apparatus for network-based telephone communication without a separate call manager unit

A system ( ) includes a network ( ) of the type used to interconnect computers, and includes a plurality of telephone units ( ) which are coupled to the network. These telephone units have sufficient embedded intelligence so that they can carry out all of their intended functionality as telephones. The system thus does not include a physically separate master control computer which is coupled to the network to serve as a call manager server or key system unit that treats the telephones as slaves. Each telephone has a manually operable device such as thumbwheels ( ), which can be used to specify a unique number that forms part of the network address of the telephone and which also serves as the extension number for that telephone. One or more of the telephones can optionally be coupled to respective telephone lines ( ) of a conventional public switching telephone network ( ). Also, several computers ( ) may optionally be coupled to the network, and communicate with each other through the network.

A system ( ) includes a packet-switched network ( ). A plurality of telephones ( ) are each coupled to the network. A call manager server ( ) is also coupled to the network, in order to interact with the telephones to implement telephony functions. Each of the telephones has the capability to act as an independent network client, by using Internet-compatible protocols to communicate directly with a resource server, without the participation or even the awareness of the call manager server. The resource server may be a local server ( ) coupled directly to the network, or a remote server ( ) coupled to the network through some other network, such as the Internet ( ).

Method and apparatus for operating a telephone as an independent network client

A system is provided for securing voice mail messages. The system includes a packet network and a telephony device that is coupled to the packet network. The system also includes a voice mail system that is coupled to the packet network and that receives a voice mail message from a caller attempting to communicate with a user of the telephony device. The voice mail system encrypts the voice mail message using a public key associated with the telephony device and stores the encrypted voice mail message in an open file system coupled to the packet network.

System and method for securing voice mail messages

A system ( ) includes a client ( ) which can communicate through a network ( ) and a database layer ( ) with any of several databases ( ). The client communicates with the database layer using a public network communication protocol, in a manner independent of respective protocols specific to each of the databases. The database layer handles communication with each database according to the respective protocol of that database.

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Mark R Nelson