Patent ID: 6836478
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for placing a call on hold comprising,a customer premises equipment of a first party sending a stream of internet protocol (IP) packets associated with the call into a service provider's IP telephony network over an IP telephony connection to a second party; the customer premises equipment receiving via the service provider's IP telephony network a first request to place the call on hold, said first request having been generated in response to said second party having placed the call on hold; the customer premises equipment temporarily stopping from sending the stream of IP packets into the service provider's IP telephony network responsive to receiving the request without said connection being disconnected, and without said connection being terminated, and without said connection being torn down; the customer premises equipment receiving via the service provider's IP telephony network a second request to remove the call from hold, said second request having been generated in response to said second party having removed the call from hold; and the customer premises equipment resuming sending the stream of IP packets into the service provider's IP telephony network during said call over said connection responsive to receiving the second request, thereby reducing an amount of network bandwidth utilized by the call while on hold.