Secure voice communication channel for confidential messaging

• US 20070206738A1
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jain, Mukul, Kumar, Sanjeev, Patel, Labhesh, Khouri, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,503,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.240
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/16 with lock-out or secrecy provision in party-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects

Abstract

A unified messaging system includes a unit to store a message operable to store a message sent to a user, the message having a selectable security attribute set to a one of a plurality of levels. A module associated with the unit operates to secure a voice channel used by the user to listen to the message when the selectable security level is set to a high level indicating encryption. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method of operation for a unified messaging system (UMS), comprising:

receiving a request to listen to a message stored in the UMS, the request coming from a user connected to the UMS via a voice communication channel over a network, the message having a security attribute set to a first level;

playing the message to the user only if the voice communication channel is secure;

otherwise, prohibiting playout of the message over the voice communication channel.

2. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

negotiating with a telephone device of the user to secure the voice communication channel.

3. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the message comprises an email message or a voicemail message.

4. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

notifying the user that the message cannot be played due to a lack of security in the event that the voice communication channel is unsecured.

5. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a cellular wireless network.

6. A processor-implemented method of operation for a unified messaging system (UMS), comprising:

storing a message in a mailbox of a recipient;

receiving a request from the recipient to listen to the message over a voice communication channel of a network;

encrypting the voice communication channel;

playing out the message to the recipient over the encrypted voice communication channel.

7. The processor-implemented method of claim 6 wherein the message comprises an email message or a voicemail message.

8. A unified messaging system for an enterprise comprising:

means for storing a message composed by a first user for retrieval by a second user, the message having a security attribute set to a first level; and

means for securing a voice communication channel used by the second user to listen to the message, and for playing the message to the second user over the voice communication channel once secured.

9. A unified messaging system for an enterprise comprising:

a unit operable to store a message sent to a user, the message having a selectable security attribute set to a one of a plurality of levels;

a module associated with the unit, the module being operable to secure a voice communication channel used by the user to listen to the message when the selectable security level is set to a high level indicating encryption.

10. The unified messaging system of claim 9 wherein the message comprises a voicemail message.

11. The unified messaging system of claim 9 wherein the message comprises an email message.

12. The unified messaging system of claim 9 wherein the module is further operable to block playing of the message in the event that the voice communication channel is unable to be secured.

13. The unified messaging system of claim 12 wherein the module is further operable to play an audible message notifying the user that the message cannot be played because the voice communication channel is unsecured.

14. The unified messaging system of claim 9 wherein the module is further operable to play the message to the user regardless of whether the voice communication channel is secure when the selectable security level is set to a low level indicating no encryption.

15. A unified messaging system for an enterprise comprising:

a unit operable to store a message sent to a user, the message having a selectable security attribute set to a one of a plurality of levels;

a module associated with the unit, the module being operable to secure a voice communication channel used by the user to listen to the message when the selectable security level is set to a high level indicating encryption, the module further including means for analyzing the message and automatically setting the selectable security level to a high level indicating encryption when the message includes content that indicates the presence of confidential information.

16. The unified messaging system of claim 15 wherein the content comprises a name or address in a recipient field of the message.

17. The unified messaging system of claim 15 wherein the content comprises a certain word or phrase in a message body field of the message.

18. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium and computer readable code embodied on the computer useable medium, execution of the computer readable code causing the computer program product to:

store an encrypted message in a unified messaging system (UMS) mailbox of a recipient;

encrypt a voice communication channel used by the recipient to listen to the encrypted message over a network; and

play the encrypted message to the recipient as audible speech after the voice communication channel has been secured.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 wherein execution of the computer readable code further causes the computer program product to:

block playing of the encrypted message to the recipient in the event that the voice communication channel cannot be secured.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the encrypted message comprises either a voicemail or email message.

21. A processor-implemented method of operation for a unified messaging system (UMS) of an enterprise, comprising:

receiving a call from a wireless device of a mobile recipient to listen to a message stored in the UMS, the mobile recipient having a current geographic location within a transmission range limit of a secure enterprise wireless network link, the message having a security attribute set to a first level;

playing the message to the wireless device of the mobile recipient as audible speech via the secure enterprise wireless network link;

monitoring the current geographic location of the mobile recipient;

negotiating with a cellular network to obtain a secure communications channel link as the mobile recipient nears the transmission range limit;

transferring the call from the secure enterprise wireless network link to the secure communications channel link of the cellular wireless when the mobile recipient moves beyond the transmission range limit.

22. A processor-implemented method of operation for a unified messaging system (UMS) of an enterprise, comprising:

receiving a call from a wireless device of a mobile recipient to listen to a message stored in the UMS, the mobile recipient having a current geographic location within a transmission range limit of a secure enterprise wireless network link, the message having a security attribute set to a first level;

playing the message to the wireless device of the mobile recipient as audible speech via the secure enterprise wireless network link;

monitoring the current geographic location of the mobile recipient;

attempting to negotiate a secure communications channel link with a cellular network as the mobile recipient nears the transmission range limit; and

, in the event that the secure communications channel link is not obtained,

disconnecting the call when the mobile recipient moves beyond the transmission range limit.

23. The processor-implemented method of claim 22 further comprising:

warning the mobile recipient that the call will be disconnected if the mobile recipient moves beyond the transmission range limit.