Systems and methods for passing through alternative network device features to plain old telephone system (POTS) devices

A method for passing through an alternative network device feature to a plain old telephone system (POTS) device, comprising:

• receiving alternative network device signaling data containing feature data associated with the alternative network device feature;
• parsing the signaling data for the feature data;
• passing through an interface the feature data associated with the alternate network device feature contained within alternative network signaling data generated by the alternative network device to the POTS device;
• wherein the interface comprises:
• a docking station configured to interface with the alternative network device, wherein the docking station is configured to receive the alternative network device signaling data from the alternative network device and convey the alternative network device signaling data from the alternative network device;
• and
• an interface controller, wherein the interface controller is configured to:
• receive the alternative network device signaling data from the docking station;
• parse the signaling data for the feature data;
• determine if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data;
• if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data, then pass the feature data through to the POTS device;
• and if the feature data is not capable of receiving the feature data contained within the POTS device, then translate the feature data into a protocol compatible with the POTS device and then pass the feature data through to the POTS device;
• determining if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data, wherein determining if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data comprises:
• receiving an audio-control signal at the interface, and
• transmitting an analog-audio signal between the POTS device and the alternative network device in response to the received audio-control signal, wherein the analog-audio signal is indicative of the alternative network device being in use;
• and
• if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data, then passing the feature data through to the POTS device.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, will cause the computer to perform a method for passing through an alternative network device feature to a plain old telephone system (POTS) device, the method comprising:

• receiving alternative network device signaling data containing feature data associated with the alternative network device feature;
• parsing the signaling data for the feature data;
• passing through an interface the feature data associated with the alternate network device feature contained within alternative network signaling data generated by the alternative network device to the POTS device;
• wherein the interface comprises:
• a docking station configured to interface with the alternative network device, wherein the docking station is configured to receive the alternative network device signaling data from the alternative network device and convey the alternative network device signaling data from the alternative network device;
• and
• an interface controller, wherein the interface controller is configured to:
• receive the alternative network device signaling data from the docking station;
• parse the signaling data for the feature data;
• determine if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data;
• if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data, then pass the feature data through to the POTS device;
• and if the feature data is not capable of receiving the feature data contained within the POTS device, then translate the feature data into a protocol compatible with the POTS device and then pass the feature data through to the POTS device;
• determining if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data, wherein determining if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data comprises:
• receiving an audio-control signal at the interface, and
• transmitting an analog-audio signal between the POTS device and the alternative network device in response to the received audio-control signal, wherein the analog-audio signal is indicative of the alternative network device being in use;
• and
• if the POTS device is capable of receiving the feature data contained within the signaling data, then passing the feature data through to the POTS device.