Patent ID: 7630488

Claim:
A method for generating dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones in a media gateway within a wireless communications network, said method comprising: receiving a DTMF signal in a media gateway controller, said DTMF signal comprising a Stop Tone request or a Start Tone request, wherein said media gateway controller is in communication with said media gateway and controls said media gateway; sending said DTMF signal from said media gateway controller to said media gateway; monitoring a status of a plurality of timers in said media gateway to implement a finite state machine, said plurality of timers comprising a minimum tone duration timer, an inter tone timer, and a maximum tone duration timer, said status of said timers being off, on, or expired; and using said finite state machine located within the media gateway to generate DTMF tones of different durations in the media gateway and to respond to at least one of said received DTMF signal, said status of said timers, or a prior queued request based on a DTMF signal.