IP Library Granted Patent US 8,867,720
Granted Patent B2
US 8,867,720 · App. 12/651,604 · Granted Oct 21, 2014

Method and system for enhanced conference call security

Inventors: Douglas Michael Gisby (Rolling Meadows, IL); Brian Edward Anthony McColgan (Toronto, CA); Christopher Labrador (Waterloo, CA); Kevin W. Andrewin (Elgin, IL); Nicholas Patrick Alfano (Stratford-Upon-Avon, GB)
Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
H04M3/56H04W12/08H04W4/08H04L65/1053H04W4/02H04M3/42348H04L63/10H04L63/104H04M3/4234H04L65/403H04M7/1235H04L63/107
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,867,720
App. No.
12/651,604
Granted
Oct 21, 2014
Kind
B2
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 (23)

1. A method for controlling access to a conference call, the method comprising:

associating proximity settings with the conference call, the proximity settings indicating a predefined proximity of one or more other devices relative to a selected communication device that is associated with the conference call;

acquiring proximity information of a first device in relation to the location of the first device with respect to the location of the selected communication device; and

if the first device is determined to be within the predefined proximity from the selected communication device, determining an action restricting the first device's access to the conference call, the action including validating the first device against a list of conference call invitees.

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

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

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

5. The method as defined in claim 1 , the action including placing the conference call on hold until the first device is validated or leaves in order to satisfy the proximity settings associated with the conference call.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 , the first device including a short range communication enabled identification badge.

7. The method as defined in claim 6 , including disconnecting from said conference call if said identification badge is not within the predefined proximity.

8. The method as defined in claim 6 , including placing the conference call on hold if said identification badge is not within the predefined proximity.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 , the action including adding the first device to a list of conference call participants.

10. The method as defined in claim 9 , including removing the first device from the list of conference call participants if the first device leaves the predefined proximity.

11. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said controlling access is performed by the selected communication device.

12. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said controlling access is performed by a conference call platform.

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

a processor configured to:

associate proximity settings with the conference call, the proximity settings indicating a predefined proximity of one or more other devices relative to a selected communication device that is associated with the conference call;

acquire proximity information of a first device in relation to the location of the first device with respect to the location of the selected communication device; and

if the first device is determined to be within the predefined proximity from the selected communication device, determine an action restricting the first device's access to the conference call, the action including validating the first device against a list of conference call invitees.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associating proximity settings with the conference call comprises:

acquiring, using information about the conference call, proximity settings for the conference call.

15. The system device of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to associate proximity settings with the conference based on an acquiring, using information about the conference call, proximity settings for the conference call.

Assignments (13)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT 12817157 APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064015 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064807/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE COVER SHEET AT PAGE 50 TO REMOVE 12817157 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 063471 FRAME 0474. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 064806/0669 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064270/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064015/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 063471/0474 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2015
From: ANDREWIN, KEVIN
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 037244/0665 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 9, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033283/0679 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2011
From: ASCENDENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026843/0465 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION CORPORATION
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026753/0935 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION UK LIMITED
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026753/0977 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2011
From: GISBY, DOUGLAS MICHAEL
To: ASCENDENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026635/0613 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2011
From: MCCOLGAN, BRIAN EDWARD ANTHONY; LABRADOR, CHRISTOPHER
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026570/0889 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2011
From: ALFANO, NICHOLAS PATRICK
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION UK LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026571/0839 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110164740A1 · Jul 7, 2011