Patent ID: 7739395

Claim:
A signaling method for use in setting up internet protocol network calls, said method comprising the steps of: receiving at an application server in an internet protocol network call information whereby said application server is inserted into a signaling path for said call, the application server for providing call feature processing; providing call feature processing including determining a primary and alternate routing number for said call; determining, at said application server, whether said application server is required in the signaling path to complete call setup for said call; and if said application server is not required in the signaling path to complete said call setup, said application server removing itself from the signaling path; wherein said step of providing said call feature processing further comprises the step of sending an SIP INVITE message to a call control element in order to invoke service of another network server, said SIP INVITE message containing a URL of a script identified by the application server; and wherein said step of said application server removing itself from the call signaling path further comprises the steps of sending to said call control element a) an SIP redirect message or SIP REFER message, and b) an SIP cancel to cancel said INVITE message.