Privacy mode system and method for home network telephone

Abstract

A system and method are provided for controlling communications privacy in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: using a gateway to send and receive calls on at least one external telephone line; supplying privacy and public mode bridging options; and, selectively excluding bridges between external telephone lines and a plurality of Home Network endpoints. In response to the privacy mode being selected, the gateway bridges a call between a first external telephone line and a first endpoint, and prevents bridges between the first external telephone line and other endpoints in the system. Alternately, when the public mode is selected, the gateway bridges a call between the first external telephone line and the first endpoint; and permits bridges between the first external telephone line and other endpoints in the system. That is, while the call is bridged to the first endpoint, a bridge is added between the first telephone line and the second endpoint. The privacy and public mode bridging options are selected with respect to nodes. A node can be an external telephone line or an endpoint. That is, a privacy or public mode of operation can be selected for a first external telephone line, whether calls are received or originated through the Home Network telephone system. Likewise, a privacy or public mode of operation can be selected for a particular endpoint, regardless of whether the endpoint receives or originates the call.