Patent ID: 6754224
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
A method for multicast telephony call signaling over a packet network comprising:initiating a call setup request over the packet network from an originating user endpoint, the call setup request including a multicast address that causes the call setup request to be sent from the originating user endpoint through the packet network directly to a plurality of subscribing user endpoints belonging to a multicast group corresponding to the multicast address; receiving multicast alert messages back from at least some of the subscribing user endpoints that use the same multicast address used in the call setup, the alert messages indicating if telephony devices are connected to the subscribing user endpoints; and establishing one or more call connections over the packet network between the originating user endpoint and one or more of the plurality of subscribing user endpoints having received alert messages; and using the alert signal to identify types of communication devices associated with the subscribing user endpoints.