Method and apparatus for tunneling operating codes to and from a call server in a packet network

A method of receiving operating codes from an endpoint in a network, the method comprising the steps of:

• sending a command to a media gateway to send a notification if and when one or more operating codes are received by the media gateway from the endpoint;
• and
• receiving a message from the media gateway, the message having the one or more operating codes encapsulated within.

A method of sending operating codes to an endpoint in a network, the method comprising the steps of:

• encapsulating one or more operating codes within a command;
• and
• sending the command to a media gateway to be forwarded to the endpoint so that the operating codes are tunneled to the endpoint.

A computer program product for enabling a call server to exchange operating codes with an endpoint at a media gateway, the computer program product having a media with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:

• instructions for encapsulating one or more operating codes from the call server within a command and sending the command to the media gateway to be forwarded to the endpoint;
• and
• instructions for receiving a message from the media gateway, the message having one or more operating codes from the endpoint encapsulated within.

Apparatus for controlling an endpoint device connected to a media gateway by exchanging operating codes with the device, the apparatus comprising:

• means for encapsulating one or more operating codes from the apparatus within a command and sending the command to the media gateway to be forwarded to the device;
• and
• means for receiving a message from the media gateway, the message having one or more operating codes from the device encapsulated within.

A programmed computer system having connections for at least one media gateway, the programmed computer system including a computer program comprising:

• computer program code for encapsulating one or more operating codes from the computer system within a command and sending the command to the media gateway to be forwarded to a network endpoint;
• and
• computer program code for receiving a message from the media gateway, the message having one or more operating codes from the endpoint encapsulated within.

A system for controlling a device connected to an endpoint at a media gateway by exchanging operating codes with the endpoint, the system comprising:

• a call server operable to send operating codes to the endpoint encapsulated in commands and to receive operating codes from the endpoint encapsulated in messages;
• and
• a media gateway connected to the call server operable to tunnel operating codes from the call server to the device and from the device to the call server.