Apparatus and method for handling call features activated by POTS phones in an IP multimedia subsystem

An IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), capable of providing call hold service to Plain Ordinary Telephone Service (POTS) telephones coupled to the IMS via a SIP Gateway (SIPGW), the IMS comprising an Application Server (AS) capable of:

• receiving a first SIP INFO message sent by the SIPGW, the first message indicating that a first party participating in a call has performed a first hook flash, wherein the first party is using a POTS telephone coupled to the SIPGW;
• and
• in response to the first message, placing on hold a second party participating in the call.

For use in a SIP Gateway (SIPGW) coupled to an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a method of providing call hold service to Plain Ordinary Telephone Service (POTS) telephones coupled to the SIPGW, comprising the steps of:

• detecting that a party participating in a call has performed a first hook flash, wherein the party is using one of the POTS telephones coupled to the SIPGW;
• and
• in response to the detection, sending to the IMS a SIP INFO message indicating that the party has performed the hook flash.

A SIP Gateway (SIPGW) coupled to an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) capable of providing call hold service to Plain Ordinary Telephone Service (POTS) telephones coupled to the SIPGW, the SIPGW capable of:

• detecting that a party participating in a call has performed a first hook flash, wherein the party is using one of the POTS telephones coupled to the SIPGW;
• and
• in response to the detection, sending to the IMS a SIP INFO message indicating that the party has performed the hook flash.