APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISCLOSING PRIVACY CONDITIONS BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20130078962A1
• Filed: 09/22/2011
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Clarke, Michael Frederick Harness, Roex, Calvin, Kalyanasundaram, Sanjay
• Granted Patent: US 9,553,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2038 Call context notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5081 Inform conference party of participants, e.g. of change of participants conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection, H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/609 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/654 Pre, in or post-call message

Abstract

An apparatus and a method is provided for detecting a privacy condition in a communication device and disclosing the privacy condition to a second communication device. A privacy condition is detecting in the communication device, wherein the privacy condition is a condition that can affect the privacy of a call. The privacy condition can be the enablement of a speakerphone, the detection of a non-private environment, or the detection of a nearby electronic signal. Thereafter, during an active call, a notice of the privacy condition is sent to the second communication device. A privacy condition can be displayed in response to receiving a privacy condition message from the second communication device.

Claims

1. A wireless device comprising:

a processor;

a communications subsystem coupled to the processor for conducting a wireless call with a second communication device;

a privacy condition module coupled to the processor for detecting a privacy condition in the wireless device and sending a privacy condition message to the second communication device; and

a display coupled to the processor for displaying privacy condition information received from the second communication device.

2. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the privacy condition module further comprises a privacy condition module for detecting enablement of a loudspeaker in the wireless device.

3. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the privacy condition module further comprises a privacy condition module for detecting that the wireless device is in a non-private location.

4. The wireless device of claim 3 wherein the privacy condition module further comprises a privacy condition module for analyzing audio received by the wireless device to determine that the wireless device is in a non-private location.

5. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the privacy condition module further comprises a privacy condition module for detecting a signal that can indicate that another person can overhear a portion of the wireless call.

6. The wireless device of claim 5 wherein the privacy condition module further comprises a privacy condition module for detecting a Bluetooth signal that can indicate that another person can overhear a portion of the wireless call.

7. A method in a wireless device for disclosing a privacy condition, said method comprising:

detecting a privacy condition in the wireless device; and

during an active call between the wireless device and a second communication device, sending a privacy condition message to the second communication device to disclose the privacy condition.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the detecting a privacy condition in the wireless device comprises detecting an enabled speakerphone in the wireless device.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the detecting a privacy condition in the wireless device comprises using audio analysis to detect that the wireless device is in a non-private environment.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the detecting a privacy condition in the wireless device comprises using signal analysis to detect electronic signals that indicate the wireless device is in a non-private environment.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the sending a privacy condition message further comprises sending a text message to the second communication device to disclose the privacy condition.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving a privacy condition message from the second communication device; and

indicating a privacy condition of the second communication device in response to receiving the privacy condition message.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the indicating a privacy condition further comprises displaying a text warning on a screen of the wireless device.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the indicating a privacy condition further comprises emitting a sound from the wireless device.

15. A method in a communication device for disclosing a privacy condition, said method comprising:

detecting a privacy condition in the communication device; and

during an active call between the communication device and a second communication device, sending a privacy condition message to the second communication device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the detecting a privacy condition in the communication device comprises detecting an enabled speakerphone in the communication device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the detecting a privacy condition in the communication device comprises using audio analysis to detect that the communication device is in a non-private environment.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the detecting a privacy condition in the communication device comprises using signal analysis to detect electronic signals that indicate the communication device is in a non-private environment.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the sending notice of the privacy condition comprises sending a text message to the second communication device to disclose the privacy condition.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

receiving a privacy condition message from the second communication device; and

indicating a privacy condition of the second communication device in response to receiving the privacy condition message