Abstract:
The present invention is directed to implementing demonstration of telecommunications equipment. A telecommunications equipment demonstration apparatus configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention provides a fast and easy way of demonstrating end-use capabilities and functionalities of the telecommunications equipment to a prospective end-user. Advantageously, such a telecommunications equipment demonstration apparatus allows the telecommunications equipment to be set-up quickly and without complexity and allows the full range of end-use capabilities and functionalities (i.e., communication services) of the telecommunications equipment to be demonstrated in a manner that is simple and representative of real-world use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/989,777 filed May 7, 2014 entitled “COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR IMPLEMENTING DEMONSTRATION OF A PHONE SYSTEM”, which has a common applicant herewith and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The disclosures made herein relate generally to telecommunications systems and equipment and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for implementing demonstration of telecommunications equipment such as, for example, a telephone (i.e., phone) system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are a variety of factors that can make sales and marketing of telecommunications equipment challenging. These challenges often arise from modern telecommunications equipment such as phone systems, network interface devices and the like having specific set-up requirements as well as a broad range of end-use capabilities and functionalities (i.e., end use features). In some instances, these set-up requirements and end-use features can be a detriment to enabling a particular piece or line of telecommunications equipment to be demonstrated to a prospective customer in a manner that is beneficial to a sales or marketing objective. Therefore, in a demonstration environment, a sales or marketing representative needs to be able to set-up the telecommunications equipment quickly and without complexity and, once set-up, the full range of end-use capabilities and functionalities of the telecommunications equipment needs to be able to be demonstrated in a manner that is simple and representative of real-world use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to implementing demonstration of telecommunications equipment. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a telecommunications equipment demonstration apparatus (e.g., in the form of a kit) that provides a fast and easy way of demonstrating end-use capabilities and functionalities of the telecommunications equipment to a prospective end-user. Advantageously, a telecommunications equipment demonstration apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention allows the telecommunications equipment to be set-up quickly and without complexity and allows the full range of end-use capabilities and functionalities (i.e., communication services) of the telecommunications equipment to be demonstrated in a manner that is simple and representative of real-world use. A phone system such as a Virtual Tone brand phone system with Polycom brand of phones is an example of such telecommunications equipment. Additionally, a telecommunications equipment demonstration apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention can provides full system capabilities with and without Internet service. When attached to the Internet, such a telecommunications equipment demonstration apparatus can make and receive live calls in both inbound and outbound directions. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a phone system demonstration station, comprises a demonstration unit support platform, at least one phone demonstration unit, and demonstration enabling circuitry. The demonstration unit support platform has a top surface and a bottom surface. The at least one phone demonstration unit is engaged with the top surface of the demonstration unit support platform. The demonstration enabling circuitry is secured to the top surface of the demonstration unit support platform, the bottom surface of the demonstration unit support platform, or a combination thereof. The demonstration enabling circuitry is operably coupled to the at least one phone demonstration unit. The demonstration enabling circuitry is configured for providing demonstration enabling functionality thereof to the at least one phone demonstration unit when the demonstration enabling circuitry is provided with electrical power and a communication network connection. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a telecommunication equipment demonstration apparatus comprises an equipment enclosure, a telecommunication equipment demonstration unit, and demonstration enabling circuitry. The equipment enclosure has a cavity therein. The telecommunication equipment demonstration unit is exposed within an opening of the equipment enclosure defined by the cavity thereof. The demonstration enabling circuitry is provided within an interior space of the equipment enclosure. The demonstration enabling circuitry is operably coupled to the telecommunication equipment demonstration unit and wherein the demonstration enabling circuitry implements functionality for enabling the demonstration enabling circuitry to provide demonstration enabling functionality thereof when the demonstration enabling circuitry is provided with electrical power and connection to an Internet connection. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of demonstrating telecommunication equipment comprising a plurality of operations. An operation of providing a phone system demonstration station is performed. The phone system demonstration station includes a demonstration unit support platform within a platform receiving cavity of the manually portable enclosure, a phone demonstration unit engaged with the demonstration unit support platform such that the phone demonstration unit is access through an opening of the manually portable enclosure defined by the platform receiving cavity thereof, and demonstration enabling circuitry within the platform receiving cavity of the manually portable enclosure at a location between the demonstration unit support platform and a closed end portion of the platform receiving cavity. The demonstration enabling circuitry is operably coupled to the phone system demonstration unit. An operation of providing the demonstration enabling circuitry with a network connection is performed for enabling the phone system demonstration unit to perform demonstration enabling functionality thereof using network connectively provided by the network connection. An operation of implementing native communication operations of the phone system demonstration unit utilizing the demonstration enabling functionality provided of the demonstration enabling circuitry is performed. 
         [0008]    These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative side view showing a phone system demonstration station configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative plan view of the phone system demonstration station shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing a demonstration apparatus configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a phone system demonstration station  100  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The phone system demonstration station  100  includes a demonstration unit support platform  102 , a plurality of phone system demonstration units  104  secured to a top surface  106  of the demonstration unit support platform  102 , and phone system operating components  108  secured to a bottom surface  110  of the demonstration unit support platform  102 . Alternatively, the phone system operating components  108  can be engaged with the top surface  106  or to both the top and bottom surfaces  106 ,  110  of the demonstration unit support platform  102 . The platform  102  can be made using any suitable materials/construction and can include a suitable support structure such as, for example, a plurality of legs  114 . 
         [0013]    It is disclosed herein that, in some embodiments, one or more of the phone system demonstration units  104  are secured to the demonstration unit support platform  102  in a manner such that they are selectively detachable from and attachable to the top surface  106  of the demonstration unit support platform  102 . For example, one or more of the phone system demonstration units  104  can be desktop units that are fixedly secured to the top surface  106  of the demonstration unit support platform  102  and one or more of the phone system demonstration units  104  can be handheld/mobile units that are selectively detachable from and attachable to the top surface  106  of the demonstration unit support platform  102 . 
         [0014]    Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone units such as those offered by Polycom are examples of the phone system demonstration units  104 . Furthermore, the phone system demonstration units  104  are one example of telecommunications equipment. It is disclosed herein that embodiments of the present invention can be configured to demonstrate telecommunications equipment other than that of a phone system. 
         [0015]    The phone system demonstration units  104  are operably connected to the phone system operating components  108 . The phone system operating components  108  include service interfaces  112  that are configured for being connected to services such as, for example, line power, a POTS (i.e., plain old telephone service (i.e., landline service)) line, the Internet (i.e., a public computer network system) and the like for enabling fully functional actual and/or simulated operation of the phone system demonstration units  104 . The phone system operating components  108  is configured for providing demonstration enabling functionality thereof to the phone system demonstration units  104  when the phone system operating components  108  are provided with electrical power and a communication connection. 
         [0016]    In the case of the phone system demonstration units  104  operating over a computer network (e.g., a VOIP phone system), an Internet connection is a suitable type of communication connection (i.e., a communication network connection) for enabling demonstration enabling functionality of the phone system operating components  108  to be implemented. It is disclosed herein that the communication connection can be provided in a wired and/or wireless manner. In view of the disclosures made herein, a skilled person will appreciate that the phone system operating components  108  is collectively an example of demonstration enabling circuitry configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0017]    It is disclosed herein that the demonstration enabling functionality enables the at least one phone demonstration unit to perform end-use communication services thereof. For a VOIP phone system or other suitably configured type of telecommunications equipment, examples of such end-use communication services include, but are not limited to, the functionalities listed in Table 1 below. In view of the disclosures made herein, a skilled person will contemplate other end-use communication services that can be implemented via demonstration enabling functionality and demonstration enabling circuitry suitably configured for providing such demonstration enabling functionality. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 End-Use Communication Services 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Type of  
                   
               
               
                   
                 Service 
                 Functionalities 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Call Queues 
                 Invisible Queues 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Remote Queue Members 
               
               
                   
                   
                 In Queue Music or Messaging 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Queue Experience 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Caller Experience 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Music on Hold Per 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Queue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Queue Announcements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Login Queue Members 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Permanent Queue Members 
               
               
                   
                 IVR 
                 Ringing Options 
               
               
                   
                   
                 IVR Courtesy 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Alter Caller ID 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Extension Dialing 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Record Digits 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Play Sound 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Say Digits/Letters 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Get Extension Type 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Say a Number 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Check User Password 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Go to Another IVR Menu 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Say Date/Time 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Play Sound From URL 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Record Sound 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Time Based Clause 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Send to External Number 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Merge Sounds 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Change Language 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Perform Math 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Set Distinctive Ring Hint 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Concatenate Variables 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Send Call Values to a URL 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dial Extension 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Set &amp; Get Global Variable 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Send an Email 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Store a Recorded Sound in Sound 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Manager 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Gate Keeper 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Get Extension Status 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Play Recorded Sound 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Upload Recorded Sound 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conditional Clause 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Send to Voicemail 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Send a Recorded Sound to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Voicemail 
               
               
                   
                 Third Party  
                 Mobile SIP Apps Click to Call 
               
               
                   
                 Integration 
                 Integration with Microsoft Office 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Firefox Integration 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ConnectWise Integration 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Salesforce 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Microsoft Dynamics CRM 
               
               
                   
                   
                 NetSuite 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Appointment Reminder Module 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Web Call Back Module 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dialer Module 
               
               
                   
                 Mobility 
                 Acknowledge Call 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Converged Phones 
               
               
                   
                   
                 InCall Menu 
               
               
                   
                   
                 One Mailbox, Many Phones 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Send to Voicemail Action 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ring All Action 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Same Caller ID, Different Phone 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Forward Calls 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Cascade Calls Action 
               
               
                   
                 Extension  
                 3 to 6 Digit Extensions 
               
               
                   
                 Management 
                 Extension Groups 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Permissions Per 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Extension 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Bulk Import for Extensions 
               
               
                   
                 PBX Tools 
                 Multiple Administrators Flexible 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Incoming Call Routes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Flexible Outgoing Call Routes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Connection Status View 
               
               
                   
                   
                 SNMP Monitoring 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Music on Hold in MP3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Automated Call Recording 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Server Info &amp; Disk Usage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Custom Company Directories 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Diskspace Quotas for Mailboxes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Custom Time Frames 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Music on Hold Announcements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Custom Sound Manager 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Outgoing Caller ID Control 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ordered Call Rules 
               
               
                   
                 Technology  
                 External VOIP Providers 
               
               
                   
                 Choices 
                 External Trunking 
               
               
                   
                   
                 IP or Analog Phones 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Video Calling 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Special Codec Support 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Failover Options Outgoing Calls 
               
               
                   
                 Notifications 
                 Fax Notifications 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Custom Voicemail Notifications 
               
               
                   
                   
                 IMAP Mailbox 
               
               
                   
                 Call Control 
                 Transfers 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Call Pickup 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Do Not Disturb 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hold 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Call Parking 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Intercom &amp; Paging 
               
               
                   
                 Networking 
                 Managed Tech Support Access 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Network Access Control 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Automatic IP Blocking 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Strong Passwords 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Easy Network Setup 
               
               
                   
                 Voicemail 
                 Custom Greetings 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Flexible Voicemail Access 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Voicemail Blast Groups 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Automatic Voicemail Setup 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Voicemail Control 
               
               
                   
                   
                 0 Out of Voicemail 
               
               
                   
                   
                 External Voicemail 
               
               
                   
                 Maintenance 
                 Automated Software Updates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Error Logs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Automated Backups 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Managed Hardware Upgrades 
               
               
                   
                 Reporting 
                 Queue Reports 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Call Logs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Scheduled Reports 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Queue Logs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Call Reports 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Queue Status 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Concurrent Calls Report 
               
               
                   
                 Conferencing 
                 Conference Via Handset 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Meet Me Conference Center 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Simple Conference Room 
               
               
                   
                 Globalization  
                 Manage Sounds Multiple 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Languages 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Flexible Language Support 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Language Sound Packs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Flexible Date Formats 
               
               
                   
                 Faxing 
                 Incoming Faxes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fax to Email 
               
               
                   
                   
                 One Number for Voice &amp; Fax 
               
               
                   
                 Operator  
                 Queue Visualization 
               
               
                   
                 Panel 
                 Realtime Extension Status 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Voicemail Management 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Call History 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Extension Feature Controls 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Multiple Extensions 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a demonstration apparatus  200  (i.e., a phone system demonstration kit) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The demonstration apparatus  200  includes a carrying case  202  (i.e., a equipment enclosure) and the phone system demonstration station  100 . The carrying case  202  includes a carrying case base  204  and a carrying case lid  206  moveably mounted on the carrying case base  204  for allowing the carrying case lid  206  to be moved to an orientation with respect to the carrying case base  204  for allowing access to a cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . Preferably, but not necessarily, the carrying case lid  206  is pivotably attached to the carrying case base  204  such as though one or more hinges. Alternatively, the carrying case lid  206  can be configured for being entirely detached from the carrying case base  204 . The phone system demonstration station  100  is located (e.g., fixedly or removably) within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . In this respect, the cavity  208  is a demonstration unit support platform receiving cavity. The phone system demonstration units  104  of the phone system demonstration station  100  are exposed within an opening  210  of the carrying case base  204 . The opening  210  is defined by an open end portion the cavity  208 . In this respect, particularly when the phone system demonstration station  100  is fixedly located within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 , the portion of the phone system operating components  108  that are attached to the bottom surface  110  of the demonstration unit support platform  102  are located within an interior space of the carrying case  202  (i.e., a space jointly defined by the demonstration unit support platform  102  and the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . 
         [0019]    The demonstration apparatus  200  includes a phone demonstration unit protection insert  220 . In one embodiment, the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  is a protective foam insert. The phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  is positioned within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204  above the phone system demonstration station  100 . Each one of the phone demonstration units  104  of the phone system demonstration station  100  is located within a respective phone demonstration unit receiving space  222  of the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220 . In this respect, the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  supports and protects the phone demonstration units  104  during transport of the demonstration apparatus  200 . 
         [0020]    Turing now to a method of use of the demonstration apparatus  200 , a set of steps for demonstrating a phone system is presented. After moving the carrying case lid  206  from its closed position ( FIG. 3 ) to its open position ( FIG. 4 ), the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  is removed from within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . After removing the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  from the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 , the phone system demonstration station  100  is removed from within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . In a first embodiment of the method (i.e., table top use with the phone system demonstration station  100  is removed from within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 ), electrical power and one or more suitable communication connections are provided to the phone system operating components  108  after removal of the phone system demonstration station  100  is removed from within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204  thereby allowing demonstration of the phone demonstration units  104  to be implemented. Electrical power can be provided via a power supply cable of the phone system operating components  108  being plugged into a power source and one or more suitable communication connection can be provided via an active Ethernet cable being plugged into a network connector of the phone system operating components  108  to provide network (e.g., Internet) connectivity. 
         [0021]    In a second embodiment of the method (i.e., the phone system demonstration station  100  used while in the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 ), the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  is placed back into the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204  after the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  is removed from the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . Thereafter, the phone system demonstration station  100  is placed back into the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204  on top of the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220 . In this respect, the phone demonstration unit protection insert  220  serves as a stand-off for the phone system demonstration station  100  to maintain it at an elevated position within the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204 . Electrical power and one or more suitable communication connection are provided to the phone system operating components  108  after the phone system demonstration station  100  is placed back into the cavity  208  of the carrying case base  204  thereby allowing demonstration of the phone demonstration units  104  to be implemented. Electrical power can be provided via a power supply cable of the phone system operating components  108  being plugged into a power source and one or more suitable communication connection can be provided via an active Ethernet cable being plugged into a network connector of the phone system operating components  108  to provide network (e.g., Internet) connectivity. 
         [0022]    Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.