Abstract: A system and method is provided for collecting and transporting DTMF digits between two network end points in a packet network in order to preserve the integrity of the DTMF digits. The system and method use a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), which is currently defined by the standard body of Internet Engineering Task Force. SIP applications utilize certain predetermined messages, such as an INFO message, and templates. DTMF digits can be collected and transported by using the SIP INFO messages. This works especially well for telephony applications which may require mid session signaling.

Abstract: A telephony data switching method includes receiving data from a first party and determining whether the data from the first party is substantially all speech data. If the data from the first party is ‘substantially all’ speech data, sending the data from the first party to the speaker and deactivating a data transfer state by preventing transfer of the data captured by a microphone operable to receive data from a second party and to receive data output by a speaker. If the data from the first party is not substantially all speech data, determining whether a silent data threshold has been reached. If the silent data threshold has been reached, the method also includes activating the data transfer state and recording data from the second party. If the data transfer state has been activated, the method includes sending the data from the second party to the first party.