US Patent 7386604 Signaling method for communication networks

A signaling method for use in a communication network, in particular a unified network, for supporting a communication along a communication path (12) via a plurality of in-path network infrastructure elements (6, 8, 10) of the network. A service element (26, 28) of the network which is located off the communication path triggers an in-path network infrastructure element (6) and the triggered in-path network infrastructure element initiates in-path signaling along the communication path. In particular, the service element may send a message to a terminating end point of the communication, which message is intercepted by the network infrastructure element (6) closest to the terminating end point, which closest network infrastructure element initiates the in-path signaling.