Patents Assigned to Shoretel, INC
  • Publication number: 20120093038
    Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.
    Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton S. Walker, Spencer C. Wang
  • Patent number: 8159935
    Abstract: A failover system includes a plurality of configuration controllers and a plurality of switches. The switches include a site proxy, a failover module and a routing table. A first site proxy of a first switch is designated as the active proxy and controls failover in the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. A second site proxy of a second switch is designated as the backup proxy and controls failover in the event the first switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. In the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes available, the active proxy interacts with the configuration controller and reassigns the extensions associated with the failed switch to a different switch of the plurality of switches. In the event a configuration controller fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, another configuration controller becomes active and establishes communication with the plurality of switches to maintain the operational status of the IP telephony system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Fritz
  • Patent number: 8145215
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to achieve improvements in scanning that can be implemented by a wireless device. A method to control scanning performed by a mobile unit includes detecting the presence or absence of audio for transmission from the mobile unit. A performance of a scan can be deferred depending on the detection of the presence or absence of audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Olson
  • Patent number: 8140079
    Abstract: A method to facilitate handover includes detecting that a mobile unit resides within at least one predetermined zone where a handover event from a first radio technology to a second radio technology may need to occur, the second radio technology being different from the first radio technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Olson
  • Publication number: 20120044931
    Abstract: A system for using one or more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media settings list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120044817
    Abstract: A system for managing network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a configuration storage module and a call manager. The configuration storage module includes a supported codecs storage, codec lists, administrator settings storage and reservation storage list. The call manager includes an extension module, trunk module, location service engine, settings manager, bandwidth manager and media stream manager. The call manager receives an offer message for a call having one or more media types. The call manager uses information included in the offer message, along with information stored in the configuration storage module, to negotiate a call settings list with one or more other sites for connecting the call, and thereby manage bandwidth for the call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8107462
    Abstract: A method of routing telephone calls is disclosed that includes receiving Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packets at an integrated access device (IAD) from a VoIP remote worker feature server. The IAD communicates with a first private branch exchange (PBX) located at a first location. The VoIP packets are related to a VoIP call intended for a telephone number assigned by a second PBX at a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Lowmaster
  • Patent number: 8107612
    Abstract: Session-based data, such as call detail accounting information, is tracked and distributed to a plurality of servers in a distributed telephony environment. One type of session is a telephone call between participants. Session-based data includes information about a session provided by the switches along the media path. Session-based data further includes information related to the session obtained from the application layer (e.g., user input metadata). A network proxy maintains a participant list to which the session data is distributed. The network proxy sends updates to the participants and determines the network status to implement fault tolerance of data distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Robesky
  • Publication number: 20110281580
    Abstract: A system and method for providing PBX functionality to a mobile phone includes a private branch exchange having a mobile phone proxy. A call control path is established between the mobile phone and a private branch exchange. The call control path is a direct trunk line, a mobile voice network, an IP data network, a mobile data network or a 4G network. The private branch exchange receives a request to perform the PBX function. The private branch exchange uses the call control path to perform the PBX function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.
    Inventors: Dale C. Tonogai, Edwin J. Basart
  • Patent number: 8059795
    Abstract: A distributed VoIP system includes a first switch coupled to a network and configured to provide voicemail features to a first group of one or more users. The system also includes a voicemail server coupled to the network. The voicemail server is configured to provide voicemail features to a second group of one or more users. The first switch is configured to store voicemail data associated with only the first group, and the voicemail server is configured to store voicemail data associated with both the first and second groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Van Gundy, Sunita Vontel, John Vuong
  • Patent number: 8054963
    Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton S Walker, Spencer C Wang
  • Publication number: 20110211496
    Abstract: A button box provides additional keys that can be used in conjunction with a telephone. In one embodiment, a button box is configured by associating it with a telephone and by programming its keys. When a key on the button box is activated, a key press event is sent from the button box to the associated phone. The phone treats the key press event as if a key on the phone itself had been activated and forwards the event to the voice switch appliance associated with the phone. (Alternatively, the key press event is sent from the button box directly to a voice switch appliance.) The button box's user interface is controlled by a voice switch appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Basart, Michael S.W. Tovino, Dale C. Tonogai, David B. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 7991150
    Abstract: A button box provides additional keys that can be used in conjunction with a telephone. In one embodiment, a button box is configured by associating it with a telephone and by programming its keys. When a key on the button box is activated, a key press event is sent from the button box to the associated phone. The phone treats the key press event as if a key on the phone itself had been activated and forwards the event to the voice switch appliance associated with the phone. (Alternatively, the key press event is sent from the button box directly to a voice switch appliance.) The button box's user interface is controlled by a voice switch appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Basart, Michael S. W. Tovino, Dale C. Tonogai, David B. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 7990953
    Abstract: A distributed VoIP system includes a network and a first switch at a first site coupled to the network. The first switch is configured to provide telephony services to a first communication device. The system also includes a second switch at a second site coupled to the network. The second switch is configured to provide telephony services to a second communication device. The system also includes a spare switch coupled to the network. The spare switch is configured to provide telephony services to the first communication device if the first communication device is unable to register with the first switch, and the spare switch is configured to provide telephony services to the second communication device if the second communication device is unable to register with the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy A. Cheng, Glen K. Okita, Robert R. Burns
  • Patent number: 7945036
    Abstract: A phone is provisioned automatically when a user couples the phone to a network, with minimal (or preferably zero) involvement on part of an administrator to activate the phone. In several embodiments of the invention, when the user couples the phone to a network, a computer associated with the network automatically checks to see if the phone was previously provisioned. If not previously provisioned, the computer automatically records the existence of the phone in a memory of a telephone exchange that is to thereafter provide service to the phone. At this stage a phone number is not yet associated with the phone. In some embodiments, the just-described acts, namely checking and recording of existence are performed without any involvement on part of the administrator. The telephone exchange provides basic service to the new phone as soon as it detects existence of the phone (in its memory).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale C. Tonogai, Allan J. Naim, Scott Van Gundy
  • Patent number: 7941762
    Abstract: One or more possibilities that are normally displayed in response to input from a user are augmented with real time information. Displaying real time information for one or more of the possibilities enables the user to take such information into account in deciding whether or not to continue with an action that the user was in the process of performing. For example, if a partial data entry provided by the user is indicative of an extension number to be dialed to place a phone call, and if a telephone call manager that receives the user's input displays call activity indicating that the user's intended callee is already on the phone, the user may decide to wait until the callee becomes available (as indicated by a change in callee's call activity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. W. Tovino, Olaf D. K. Brandt, Jeffrey W. Ridley, Glen K. Okita
  • Patent number: 7940906
    Abstract: A button box provides additional keys that can be used in conjunction with a telephone. In one embodiment, a button box is configured by associating it with a telephone and by programming its keys. When a key on the button box is activated, a key press event is sent from the button box to the associated phone. The phone treats the key press event as if a key on the phone itself had been activated and forwards the event to the voice switch appliance associated with the phone. (Alternatively, the key press event is sent from the button box directly to a voice switch appliance.) The button box's user interface is controlled by a voice switch appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ShoreTel Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Basart, Michael S. W. Tovino, Dale C. Tonogai, David B. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 7936745
    Abstract: Displaying an IP call status is disclosed. An IP call status notification is received from an IP telephony device. A display update is caused by transmitting a display notification to an IP telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike S. W. Tovino, Pramod Madabhushi, Dale Tonogai
  • Patent number: D662908
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: David Porter Dix, Carles Puche Moré, Howard Nuk, Lucas Edmund Saule, Dieter Werner Rencken
  • Patent number: D662909
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: David Porter Dix, Carles Puche Moré, Howard Nuk, Lucas Edmund Saule, Dieter Werner Rencken