SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING TRANSFERRING OF CONFERENCE CALLS USING MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20110217966A1
• Filed: 03/02/2010
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: McColgan, Brian Edward Anthony, McDonald, Ian James, Labrador, Christopher, Gisby, Douglas Michael, Alfano, Nicholas Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication

Abstract

Systems and methods for facilitating transferring of a conference call. In some embodiments, users of a secure mobile device may be provided with the ability to transfer a media session for use in a conference call to a non-secure communication device. The method may include displaying a user interface on the primary communication device, the user interface including a transfer option, receiving a command selecting the transfer option, sending a transfer request from the primary communication device to the conference call controller to link an alternate communication device within the conference call session, and determining whether the transfer request requires authentication, and if so performing authentication of the transfer request.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating transferring of conference call sessions from a primary communication device, wherein a conference call controller is configured to establish a conference call session with the primary communication device and other communication devices, comprising:

displaying a user interface on the primary communication device, the user interface including a transfer option;

receiving a command selecting the transfer option;

sending a transfer request from the primary communication device to the conference call controller to link an alternate communication device within the conference call session; and

determining whether the transfer request requires authentication, and if so displaying on the user interface an authentication interface for authentication of the transfer request.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a control session and a media session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller;

terminating the media session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller; and

maintaining the control session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller subsequent to terminating the media session.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining whether the transfer request is authenticated.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sending a request for authentication from the primary communication device to the conference call controller;

and receiving a confirmation of authentication from the conference call controller.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said sending of the request for authentication comprises requesting a transfer from the primary communication device to the alternate communication device via the conference call controller and receiving a confirmation of authentication from the alternate communication device via the conference call controller.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displaying of the authentication interface is displayed during the conference call session.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, and if so determining that authentication between the primary communication device and the conference call controller is required.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sending comprises Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based commands.

9. A communication device, comprising:

a communication subsystem for communicating with a conference call controller, wherein the conference call controller is configured to establish a conference call session with the communication device and other communication devices; and

a display for displaying a user interface on the communication device, the user interface including a transfer option,

wherein the communication device is configured for;

receiving a command selecting the transfer option,

sending a transfer request from the communication device to the conference call controller to link an alternate communication device within the conference call session, and

determining whether the transfer request requires authentication, and if so displaying on the user interface an authentication interface for authentication of the transfer request.

10. The communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the communication device is further configured for:

establishing a control session and a media session between the communication device and the conference call controller;

terminating the media session between the communication device and the conference call controller; and

maintaining the control session between the communication device and the conference call controller subsequent to terminating the media session.

11. The communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the communication device is further configured for determining whether the transfer request is authenticated.

12. The communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the communication device is further configured for sending a request for authentication from the communication device to the conference call controller;

and receiving a confirmation of authentication from the conference call controller.

13. The communication device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said sending of the request for authentication comprises requesting a transfer to the alternate communication device via the conference call controller and receiving a confirmation of authentication from the alternate communication device via the conference call controller.

14. The communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said displaying of the authentication interface is displayed during the conference call session.

15. The communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the communication device is further configured for:

determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, and if so determining that authentication between the communication device and the conference call controller is required.

16. The communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sending comprises Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based commands.

17. A system for facilitating transferring of conference call sessions between a plurality of communication devices, the system comprising:

a conference call controller configured for;

establishing a control session with a first primary communication device, the control session capable of being authenticated and not authenticated,

establishing a first media session with the first primary communication device,

establishing a second media session with a second primary communication devices, and linking the first media session and the second media session in a conference call session,

receiving a transfer request from the first primary communication device via the control session,

determining whether the transfer request requires authentication, and if so performing authentication of the transfer request, and

establishing, based on the authenticated transfer request, an alternate media session between an alternate communication device and the conference call controller and linking the alternate media session within the conference call session.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the conference call controller is further configured for:

determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, and if so de-authenticating said control session with the first primary communication device.