[Asterisk-Users] Simulating the "lighted line in use" type of phone

[Christopher Lee]

Just a thought on this topic, if you're using Cisco 7940/7960 IP handsets it
should be possible to write a Perl script on the Asterisk box that updates
the XML directory to show the current status of extensions.

Then when the receptionist is on the phone, they could hit the services
button, scroll through the list of extensions; see what the persons status
is, and even transfer the call right through by pressing the Dial button
underneath the extension if they hit Transfer before the Services button.

I don't have enough experience with coding the XML directory extension on
the Cisco beyond a simple phone-directory, but Cisco do have a programming
guide available and there are some advanced features you could use. 

In fact even with a simple XML phone-directory, all you need do is have the
Perl script interrogate Asterisk for the extension status, and if the
extension is busy, simply append BUSY in capitals onto the end of the
persons name. 

Then when the extension frees, remove the BUSY message... this should work,
and since the phone does a HTTP request every time the user hits the
Services button, if it's a script that's executed on the server then they
should have an up to date view of who's busy/free.

Granted if someone who was busy hangs up before the receptionist can scroll
to their name, it will still show as busy, but apart from that it should do
the trick and could be the next best thing to a live LED busy lamp field.

This would remove the need for a PC running status software; although at the
end of the day a software solution could probably be a lot more user
friendly and flexible than what you can do through XML.

The Cisco IP phones may be a little pricier than some others on the market,
but as far as I'm concerned they currently are the bee's knees as far as IP
phones go. Awesome call quality and best speakerphone I've ever had, and
coupled with the XML/HTTP capabilities of the phone you can't go too wrong. 

Before you jump in the deep end with deploying IP telephony in an office
environment, get yourself set up with two (or just 1 if money is tight)
Cisco 7940/7960's w/SIP firmware talking with Asterisk and see what can be
done.

Besides, the Cisco 7940/7960's look far sexier than 20 year old dinosaur key
stations and you'll be the envy of everyone in the office :-) 

Cheers,
Chris Lee 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-admin at lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-
> admin at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Chris Clifton
> Sent: Wednesday, 25 February 2004 6:50 AM
> To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] Simulating the "lighted line in use" type of
> phone
> 
> That's fine for outbound lines, but what if I want to call the guy in the
> next office ? I have to call him and get redirected to his busy vm just to
> know that he's on the phone.
> 
> This is a huge issue with the recepetionist with the 'master console'. How
> does he/she know whether a user is busy or not ?
> 
> 20 year old phone systems offer this capability.
> 
> I see this as a serious shortfall of asterisk / currently available ip
> phones right now.
> 
> - Chris Clifton