Configure special keys on the Polycom IP6500 phone

In Polycom phones it is possible to configure a key for sending DTMF tone codes to activate particular functions (for example the door opener code of an intercom, entering your PIN code to access a particular service, etc.). In Polycom phones, particularly in the IP 6500 model (VVX 500), this is achieved exclusively through the use of Macros, called by the manufacturer enhanced feature key (EFK). For more information see here and here too.

The concept behind Polycom macros is identical to the one that can be used via software: the macro is a series of instructions that is invoked as a real function by pressing a key. The following examples assume that the Polycom IP6500 phone has a certified firmware release (5.4.3.1014 in the examples).

NOTE: web access to the phone is allowed via the https protocol.

Example 1: configure a soft key to open an input.

In this example it is assumed that the code for opening the door to be sent to the intercom is 11 *. (as happens for 2N intercoms)

After configuring the phone, with the user account running, export the “web” configuration from the Utility menu – Import / Export Configuration. Save the text file on the PC desktop and open it for editing.

Add the following lines between the others already present, as long as they are inside the <WEB … tag

feature.enhancedFeatureKeys.enabled="1" --> Enable EFK functionality: do not insert this line if it already exists
efk.efklist.1.mname="door opener" --> Name of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.1.status="1"   --> Activation of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.1.label="OpenPort" -> Label Visible on Software button
efk.efklist.1.action.string="11*"  --> Function instructions (macro) to be sent by key
softkey.1.action="! door opener" -> Name of the macro called up by the softkey
softkey.1.enable="1" --> Activation of the softkey
softkey.1.use.active="1" --> Display of the key when the phone is active (in call)
softkey.1.use.idle="0" --> Hidden display of the key when the phone is idle

Save the file and reload it from the same “Import / Export Configuration File” section. The phone will restart.

Use: when a call is active, the OpenPorta softkey will appear on the display based on the status and the keys already present on the phone: if this does not happen, the More … button will appear in its place: press it to make the button you are looking for appear. Pressing the key will send the programmed DTMF tones and you should also hear them on the handset.

Example 2: opening an entrance without activating the conversation with the intercom

In the previous example it is assumed that before pressing the function key, the call with the intercom is active. If, on the other hand, you want to open the entrance without anyone having an intercom (for example when you see a known person or a vehicle approaching the entrance) you must use this code: let’s assume that the intercom extension is 320 and the opening code is 00 *,

add the following lines between the others already present, as long as they are inside the <WEB … tag

feature.enhancedFeatureKeys.enabled="1" --> Enable EFK functionality: do not insert this line if it already exists
efk.efklist.2.mname="door opener" --> Name of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.2.status="1"   --> Activation of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.2.label="Door opener" -> Label Visible on Software key
efk.efklist.2.action.string="320$Tinvite$$Cpause2$00*$Tdtmf$$Cpause4$$Chu$"  --> Function instructions (macro) to be sent via key
softkey.2.action="! door opener" --> Name of the macro called up by the softkey
softkey.2.use.idle="1" --> Display of the key when the phone is idle
softkey.2.enable="1" --> Activate the softkey
softkey.2.use.active="0" --> Hidden display of the key when the phone is active (in call)

NOTE: the number indicated in the keywords (eg: efk.efklist.x, or softkey.x) indicates the soft key that is being programmed so the same number must be used to refer to the programming of a key. If there are other keys programmed, a different number must be used.

Example 3: set DND by service code

Let’s assume that the PIN of the VOIspeed user (see user profile) is 123456. The complete code to set your status in Do Not Disturb will therefore be: 9 + 1 + 123456 + 2

After configuring the phone, with the user account running, export the “web” configuration from the Utility menu – Import / Export Configuration. Save the text file on the PC desktop and open it for editing.

Add the following lines between the others already present, as long as they are inside the <WEB … tag

feature.enhancedFeatureKeys.enabled="1" --> Enable EFK functionality: do not insert this line if it already exists
efk.efklist.1.mname="DND" --> Name of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.1.status="1"   --> Activation of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.1.label="DND"  -->  Label Visible on Software button
efk.efklist.1.action.string="9$Tinvite$$Cpause2$1$Tdtmf$$Cpause1$123456$Tdtmf$$Cpause1$2$Tdtmf$"  --> Instructions of the function (macro) to be sent via key
softkey.1.action="!DND" --> Name of the macro called up by the softkey
softkey.1.use.idle="1" --> Display of the key when the phone is idle
softkey.1.enable="1" --> Activation of the softkey
softkey.1.use.active="0" --> Hidden display of the key when the phone is active (in call)

Similarly, to create a key to re-set the free state, a new key must be created which inserts the code 1, that is:

feature.enhancedFeatureKeys.enabled="1"  --> Enable EFK functionality: do not insert this line if it already exists
efk.efklist.2.mname="Free" --> Name of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.2.status="1"   --> Activation of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.2.label="Free"  --> Label Visible on Software button
efk.efklist.2.action.string="9$Tinvite$$Cpause2$1$Tdtmf$$Cpause1$123456$Tdtmf$$Cpause1$1$Tdtmf$"  --> Instructions of the function (macro) to be sent via key
softkey.2.action="!Free" --> Name of the macro called up by the softkey
softkey.2.use.idle="1" --> Display of the key when the phone is idle
softkey.2.enable="1" --> Activate the softkey
softkey.2.use.active="0" --> Hidden display of the key when the phone is active (in call)

Example 4: Take the call from a desired extension

In this example we will use the prompt function that allows the user to insert an input into the macro. With this function we want to create a button to capture a ringing call from the extension that we will indicate on the phone. The default code for explicit call capture is 991 + INTERNAL. Company extensions are assumed to all have 3 digits.

After configuring the phone, with the user account running, export the “web” configuration from the Utility menu – Import / Export Configuration. Save the text file on the PC desktop and open it for editing.

Add the following lines between the others already present, as long as they are inside the <WEB … tag

feature.enhancedFeatureKeys.enabled="1" --> Enable EFK functionality: do not insert this line if it already exists
efk.efkprompt.1.status="1"  --> Activate prompt mode 
efk.efkprompt.1.label="Extension to capture:"  --> Prompt shown by phone for user input
efk.efkprompt.1.type="numeric"  --> type of input (numeric in our case) 
efk.efkprompt.1.userfeedback="visible"  --> Indicates that the input will be visible as you type
efk.efklist.1.mname="Capture"  --> Name of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.1.status="1"   --> Activation of the function (macro)
efk.efklist.1.label="Capture"  --> Label Visible on Software Button
efk.efklist.1.action.string="911$P1N3$$Tinvite$"  -->  Instructions of the function (macro) to be sent via key (3 indicates the number of digits expected by the phone)
softkey.1.action="!Capture"  --> Name of the macro called up by the softkey
softkey.1.use.idle="1" --> Display of the key when the phone is idle
softkey.1.enable="1" --> Activation of the softkey
softkey.1.use.active="0"  --> Hidden display of the key when the phone is active (in call)