Abstract: When a first SIP INVITE is received a Session Border Controller (SBC) to establish a communication session between communication devices, a second SIP INVITE message is also sent by the SBC to a media recorder without a media line or a media attribute set to inactive. The second SIP INVITE message without the media line or the media attribute set to inactive indicates that there is currently no media associated with the communication session to the media recorder. The SBC receives one of a SIP PUBLISH message or a SIP NOTIFY message that indicates whether to start or stop recording the voice or video communication session. The SBC sends or does not send a media stream of the communication session between the communication devices based on whether the SIP PUBLISH or the SIP NOTIFY indicates whether to start or stop recording the voice or video communication session.

Abstract: Placing a call on hold provides advantages to the party initiating the hold. The party may engage in another call or perform another action and return to the call when convenient, provided the party placed on hold is still on the call. The party on hold monitors the inactive call and waits until the call is reactivated. The party on hold is provided with a means to alert the other party via a session initiation protocol (SIP) message formatted as a ring-ping message. The message is sent to the party who placed the call on hold and the user's device activates an indicator, such as to alert the holding party that the held party wishes to re-engage the call. If the holding party does not un-hold the call or otherwise acknowledge the ring-ping indicator, another action can be initiated, such as by inviting another party to join the call.

Abstract: When a first SIP INVITE is received a Session Border Controller (SBC) to establish a communication session between communication devices, a second SIP INVITE message is also sent by the SBC to a media recorder without a media line or a media attribute set to inactive. The second SIP INVITE message without the media line or the media attribute set to inactive indicates that there is currently no media associated with the communication session to the media recorder. The SBC receives one of a SIP PUBLISH message or a SIP NOTIFY message that indicates whether to start or stop recording the voice or video communication session. The SBC sends or does not send a media stream of the communication session between the communication devices based on whether the SIP PUBLISH or the SIP NOTIFY indicates whether to start or stop recording the voice or video communication session.

Abstract: Placing a call on hold provides advantages to the party initiating the hold. The party may engage in another call or perform another action and return to the call when convenient, provided the party placed on hold is still on the call. The party on hold monitors the inactive call and waits until the call is reactivated. The party on hold is provided with a means to alert the other party via a session initiation protocol (SIP) message formatted as a ring-ping message. The message is sent to the party who placed the call on hold and the user's device activates an indicator, such as to alert the holding party that the held party wishes to re-engage the call. If the holding party does not un-hold the call or otherwise acknowledge the ring-ping indicator, another action can be initiated, such as by inviting another party to join the call.