Systems and methods for facilitating conference calls using security keys

• US 8,290,135 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Oliver, Brian, McDonald, Ian, Gisby, Douglas, Labrador, Christopher, McAndrews, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): AL AUBAIDI, RASHA S
• Application Number:
  US12/394,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20100220845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201.01, 379/202.01
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/065 for group communications cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management involving conference or group key H04L9/0833
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• 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 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• 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: H04W 12/041 Key generation or derivation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that facilitate a conference call between a plurality of communication devices. The method may comprise: providing a first primary communication device; providing a second primary communication device; providing a conference call controller; establishing a first control link between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller; communicating first identification data between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller via the first control link; establishing a media link between the first and second primary communication devices via the conference call controller. In certain embodiments, the first identification data corresponds to at least one participation level of the first primary communication device with respect to the media link. The method may further comprise establishing a second control link between the second primary communication device and the conference call controller; communicating second identification data between the second primary communication device and the conference call controller via the second control link; wherein the second identification data establishes a participation level of the second primary communication device with respect to the media link.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating a conference call between a plurality of communication devices, the method comprising:

establishing a first control link between a first primary communication device and a conference call controller;

communicating first identification data to authenticate the first primary communication device, between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller via the first control link, wherein the first identification data comprises at least one first security key; and

establishing a media link between the first primary communication device and a second primary communication device via the conference call controller;

wherein the at least one first security key is configured to contain participation level data indicating at least one participation level of the first primary communication device with respect to the media link.

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

establishing a second control link between the second primary communication device and the conference call controller;

communicating second identification data between the second primary communication device and the conference call controller via the second control link, wherein the second identification data comprises a second security key; and

wherein the second security key establishes a participation level of the second primary communication device with respect to the media link.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification data is communicated from the first primary communication device to the conference call controller.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the participation levels comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of:

listen; and

speak.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first identification data comprises a plurality of security keys.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first participation level differs from the second participation level.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the media link comprises a voice signal.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the media link comprises a multimedia signal.

9. A non-transient computer-readable medium comprising instructions, when executed, cause a conference call controller perform a method, the method comprising:

establishing a first control link between a first primary communication device and the conference call controller;

communicating first identification data to authenticate the first primary communication device, between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller via the first control link, wherein the first identification data comprises at least one first security key; and

establishing a media link between the first primary communication device and a second primary communication device via the conference call controller;

wherein the at least one first security key is configured to contain participation level data indicating at least one participation level of the first primary communication device with respect to the media link.

10. A system for facilitating a conference call between a plurality of communication devices, the system comprising a conference call controller on which an application executes, wherein the application is programmed to perform a method, the method comprising:

establishing a first control link between a first primary communication device and the conference call controller;

communicating first identification data to authenticate the first primary communication device, between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller via the first control link, wherein the first identification data comprises at least one first security key; and

establishing a media link between the first primary communication device and a second primary communication device via the conference call controller;

wherein the at least one first security key is configured to contain participation level data indicating at least one participation level of the first primary communication device with respect to the media link.

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

a conference call controller configured to;

establish a first control link with a first primary communication device;

establish a media link between the first primary communication device and at least one second primary communication device;

wherein the conference call controller and the first primary communication device are configured to communicate first identification data to authenticate the first primary communication device, between the first primary communication device and the conference call controller via the first control link, wherein the first identification data comprises at least one first security key; and

wherein the at least one first security key is configured to contain participation level data indicating at least one participation level of the first primary communication device with respect to the media link.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the conference call controller is further configured to establish a second control link with the second primary communication device;

wherein the conference call controller and the second primary communication device are further configured to communicate second identification data via the second control link, wherein the second identification data comprises a second security key; and

wherein the second security key establishes a participation level of the second primary communication device with respect to the media link.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the identification data is communicated from the first primary communication device to the conference call controller.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the participation levels comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of:

listen; and

speak.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first identification data comprises a plurality of security keys.

16. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first participation level differs from the second participation level.

17. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first primary communication device comprises a portable communication device.

18. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the media link comprises a telecommunications link.