Patent ID: 8228918

Claim:
A method for establishing communication in a packet-oriented communications network between a calling terminal and a called terminal, the network comprising a plurality of connection controllers for connecting the calling terminal to the called terminal, the connection controllers comprising a first connection controller and a second connection controller, the method comprising: the calling terminal initiating a sending of a signaling message from the first connection controller to the called terminal to establish a first payload connection between the called terminal and the first connection controller such that data is transmittable between the calling terminal and the called terminal via a communication path defined by at least the first and second connection controllers; the first connection controller sending the signaling message to the called terminal, the signaling message comprising a parameter identifying an address of the calling terminal; the called terminal receiving the signaling message from the first connection controller; before generating a call-accepted signal, the called terminal establishing a direct payload connection between the called terminal and the calling terminal, the direct payload connection not including any connection controller within a path of communication defined by the direct payload connection; establishing a direct signaling connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal prior to sending the call-accepted signal, the direct signaling connection associated with the direct payload connection; transmitting maintenance packets between the called terminal and the calling terminal to maintain the direct payload connection prior to a transmission of data packets between the calling terminal and the called terminal; and transmitting the data packets via the direct payload connection between the called terminal and the calling terminal, the transmitting of the data packets between the calling terminal and the called terminal placing the direct payload connection in an active state.