METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED CONFERENCE CALL SECURITY

• US 20110164740A1
• Filed: 01/04/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: ANDREWIN, KEVIN W., MCCOLGAN, BRIAN EDWARD ANTHONY, LABRADOR, CHRISTOPHER, GISBY, DOUGLAS MICHAEL, ALFANO, NICHOLAS PATRICK
• Granted Patent: US 8,867,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1053 IP private branch exchange [PBX] functionality entities or arrangements circuit switched PBXs H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2094 Proximity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/60 related to security aspects in telephonic communication systems network architectures or network communication protocols for network security H04L63/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4234 Remote access to features of PBX or home telephone systems-teleworking in a PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management

Abstract

A method for controlling access by of communication devices to a conference call, the method comprising associating proximity settings with a conference call, the proximity settings indicating a acceptable proximity of other communication devices relative to a selected communication device; sensing by the selected communication device proximity of the other devices within its proximity of the communication device to obtain proximity information; and determining, by a processor, from the obtained proximity information and the proximity settings an action to be performed with reference to the conference call.

Claims

1. A method for controlling access by of communication devices to a conference call, the method comprising:

associating proximity settings with a conference call, the proximity settings indicating a acceptable proximity of other communication devices relative to a selected communication device;

sensing by the selected communication device proximity of said other devices within its proximity of the communication device to obtain proximity information; and

determining, by a processor, from the obtained proximity information and the proximity settings an action to be performed with reference to the conference call.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, the action including disconnecting from said conference call if said selected device is connected.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, the action including refusing to connect said device to said conference call.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, the action including restricting use of a speakerphone on said device.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, the action including validating sensed devices against a list of conference call invitees.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, the action including placing the conference call on hold until the sensed communication devices are validated or leave satisfy the proximity settings associated with the conference call of the selected communication device.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, the other devices being including a short range communication enabled identification badge.

8. The method as defined in claim 7, including disconnecting from said call if said identification badge is not within proximity.

9. The method as defined in claim 7, including placing a conference call on hold if said identification badge is not within proximity.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, the action including adding sensed devices to a list of conference call participants.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, including removing devices from the list of conference call participants if a previously sensed device leaves the proximity.

12. The method as defined in claim 1, said controlling access being performed by the communication device.

13. The method as defined in claim 1, said controlling access being performed by a conference call platform.

14. A system device for controlling access of a communication device to a conference call, the device comprising:

a processor for;

associating proximity settings with a conference call, the proximity settings indicating acceptable proximity of other communication devices relative to a communication device;

sensing by the communication device proximity of said other devices within proximity of the communication device to obtain proximity information; and

determining from the obtained proximity information and the proximity settings an action to be performed with reference to the conference call.