In this paper we propose a new protocol called time-space label switching protocol (TSL-SP) in optical burst switching (OBS), and define the terms time-space label (TSL) and time-space routing (TSR). An important concept of response time is introduced in the time label mechanism. The TSL-SP is a new technology that can quickly and efficiently forward data with a label on the optical networks. A two-dimension label switched path (TD-LSP) can be set up, that is maintained and deleted by the TSL-SP. For clearly illuminating the operation principles of the TSL-SP, we propose a new approach of orthogonal time-space coordinates in which the vertical coordinate is the space label and the horizontal coordinate is the time label. The proposed TD-LSP can dramatically reduce the routing failure probability and greatly improve the link network efficiency compared with other signaling protocols. Moreover, we define the time-space label control plane that can achieve the higher efficiency. When the TSL-SP is applied to networks, switching performance can be improved by two orders compared to the switching performance with the conventional OBS signaling protocols. The fundamental goal of TSL-SP is to band the signaling and routing functions together closely. Also, the TSL-SP can reduce the complexity of the network, support automatic service offering, and provide traffic engineering.