Patent ID: 7254227

Claim:
A method of communicating between an application and a caller who are connected by way of a voice circuit in a telecommunications network, wherein the application directly or indirectly delivers audio information to the caller by way of the voice circuit and receives audio information from the caller by way of the voice circuit, the method comprising: receiving an indication that the voice circuit has been placed on hold by the caller; taking at least one action by the application in response to said indication, without ending a call between the application and the caller; wherein said application is in a state of waiting for audio information from the caller pending a time-out, and wherein said action comprises extending said timeout; and wherein said caller communicates with said application by way of a telecommunications device that comprises a speaker, which renders audio information received by way of the voice circuit, a microphone which captures audio for transmission over the voice circuit, and a visual display, wherein said action comprises: suspending delivery of audio information to the caller; and delivering data renderable on said visual display which corresponds to the audio information whose delivery has been suspended.