Communication system to localize devices and methods thereof
Generally described, the present disclosure relates to communications, and more specifically, to localizing devices with a communication system to establish phone services. According to one illustrative embodiment, where the communication system is within a hotel, a traveler can download a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) client onto their mobile device. The VoIP client default configuration can then establish a connection between the mobile device and the communication system. Typically, the VoIP client has to be pre-authorized before registering with the communication system. After registering, all subsequent phone service can then be provided to the mobile device by the VoIP client in association with the hotel phone. Upon check-out, the VoIP client can be removed or disabled and the configuration connection to the communication system can be discontinued.
1 . A computer-implemented method for localizing devices to a communication system, said method comprising:
installing a VoIP client;
querying said communication system for an assigned identifier;
obtaining a directory number that is configured against said assigned identifier;
registering with said communication system through said directory number;
providing communication services through said VoIP client after registration; and
disabling said VoIP client.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein querying said communication system, obtaining said directory number, registering said VoIP client and providing said communication services comprise using default configurations provided by said VoIP client.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein querying said communication system for said assigned identifier comprises providing a media access control address to a profile database on said communication system to obtain said assigned identifier.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein querying said communication system for said assigned identifier comprises providing a personal identification number to a profile database on said communication system to obtain said assigned identifier.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein providing said communication services comprises transmitting outgoing calls and receiving incoming calls through said communication system.
6 . A system comprising:
a branch exchange for routing communications to at least one device;
wherein said branch exchange provides a client application for operation on said at least one device, said client application on said at least one device associating a destination address of said at least one device to a directory number that is configured against an assigned identifier on said branch exchange to handle said communications.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said branch exchange authorizes said at least one device through a media access control address provided by said at least one device.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein said media access control address is associated with a preferred profile.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said branch exchange authorizes said at least one device through a personal identification number provided by said at least one device.
10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said branch exchange providing said client application for operation on said at least one device comprises redirecting said at least one device to a login page when said at least one device initially connects with said branch exchange.
11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said branch exchange providing said client application for operation on said at least one device comprises determining which client application to provide based on a media access control address provided by said at least one device.
12 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said client application for operation on said at least one device comprises configuration information used by said at least one device when connected with said branch exchange.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said configuration information comprises network access protocols, IP addresses and registration/security settings.
14 . The system of claim 6 , wherein retrieving said directory number comprises using a media access control address of said at least one device to query a traveler profile database for said directory number.
15 . The system of claim 6 , wherein retrieving said directory number comprises using a personal identification number to query a traveler profile database for said directory number.
16 . A communication system within a lodging facility comprising:
at least one processor; and
a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said memory storing program instructions that when executed by said processor, causes said processor to:
receive a request for access to a traveler's profile from at least one device;
provide a room number within said lodging facility associated with said traveler's profile to said at least one device in response to said request;
associate a destination address of said at least one device with a directory number of said room number;
route communications through said destination address through said directory number to said at least one device;
remove said destination address of said at least one device associated with said directory number of said room number.
17 . The communication system of claim 16 , wherein said memory storing program instructions when executed by said processor causes said processor to receive a request for access to said traveler's profile from at least one additional device and associate a destination address of said at least one additional device with another directory number of said room number.
18 . The communication system of claim 16 , wherein said room number is associated with multiple directory numbers with said multiple directory numbers programmed within a suite ring group for accommodating multiple devices.
19 . The communication system of claim 16 , wherein said room number is associated with a single directory number with said single directory number used to route calls to multiple devices.
20 . The communication system of claim 16 , wherein routing communications through said destination address to said at least one device comprises transferring calls made to said room number to said at least one device through said communication system and transferring calls made from said at least one device through said communication system.