Patent ID: 6958992

Claim:
A method for an IP phone switch to register an IP phone over an network, the IP phone having an unique address code within the network, comprising the steps of (a) associating a personal identification number with a directory number at the IP phone switch; (b) establishing communications between the IP phone and the IP phone switch; (c) receiving the address code of the IP phone and the personal identification number from the IP phone; (d) authenticating the personal identification number; (e) associating the directory number with the address code for routing and switching call traffic to and from the IP phone, (f) wherein step (c) is repeated in the event that the personal identification number fails authentication in step (d); and (g) determining if step (d) has been repeated in excess a predetermined number of consecutive times due to the personal identification number failing authentication and response sending a lock set command to the IP phone.