Patent ID: 8254372

Claim:
A communication apparatus, comprising: a first interface for exchanging data with a first neighboring entity; a second interface for exchanging data with a second neighboring entity; a memory for storing codec information regarding said communication apparatus; a control entity for detecting, after a call is established, a first message from the first neighboring entity via the first interface, the first message being indicative of codec information regarding an originating entity of the first message; the control entity being configured to, responsive to detection at the first message, perform an assessment of compatibility between the codec information regarding the originating entity of the first message and the codec information regarding said communication apparatus; the control entity being configured to, responsive to the assessment of compatibility being positive, self-identify the communication apparatus as a candidate for terminally supporting a subsequent codec-bypass negotiation with the originating entity of the first message, wherein terminally supporting the subsequent codec-bypass negotiation with the originating entity of the first message includes transcoding subsequent messages received from the originating entity of the first message according to the codec information regarding the originating entity of the first message and forwarding the transcoded messages to an intermediate entity configured to further forward the transcoded messages toward their destination; and the control entity being configured to, responsive to the assessment of compatibility being negative, self-identify the communication apparatus as a candidate for non-terminally supporting a subsequent codec-bypass negotiation with the originating entity of the first message.