IP Library Granted Patent US 7,894,806
Granted Patent B2
US 7,894,806 · App. 11/424,899 · Granted Feb 22, 2011

Systems and methods to direct a mobile communications device to a preferred teleconference bridge

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,894,806
App. No.
11/424,899
Granted
Feb 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A telecommunication system includes a processor, interfaces in communication with the public telephone network and a data network, respectively, and a memory. The memory comprises executable instructions that when executed by the processor direct the system to controllably permit access to a teleconference bridge in response to a communication from a mobile-communication device that includes information responsive to a previously communicated license key. Generally, the communication is in the form of a call from the user of the mobile-communication device. Upon receipt of the call, the telecommunication system confirms that the mobile-communication device communicates a pass code that was included in an encrypted form in the license key.

Claims (25)

1. A telecommunication system, comprising:

a teleconference bridge;

a first interface in communication with the teleconference bridge and a public-telephone network; and

a second interface in communication with the teleconference bridge and a data network, the data network further coupled to a mobile-communication device, the second interface connecting a call from a mobile communication device to the teleconference bridge upon receipt of information responsive to a communicated license key entered during an application installation procedure on the mobile device.

2. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the communicated license key is an encrypted representation of a pass code accepted on the teleconference bridge.

3. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the communicated license key is entered once and stored thereafter in the mobile-communication device.

4. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the teleconference bridge monitors the communication for a set of dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) encoded signals.

5. The telecommunication system of claim 4 , wherein the set of dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) encoded signals identify the mobile-communication device.

6. The telecommunication system of claim 4 , wherein the set of dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) encoded signals convey the information responsive to the communicated license key.

7. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the second interface uses session initiated protocol.

8. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the second interface receives information from the mobile-communication device via a short-range radio-frequency signal associated with a local area network.

9. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the second interface receives information from the mobile-communication device via a cellular voice and data network.

10. A method for directing a mobile-communication device initiated call to a designated teleconference bridge, the method comprising:

providing a telephone number associated with a teleconference bridge and a license key to a subscriber of a mobile-communication service, wherein the license key comprises an encrypted representation of a pass code that when decrypted and communicated from the mobile-communication device instructs the teleconference bridge to grant access to the operator of the mobile-communication device;

providing executable instructions that upon initial execution on the mobile-communication device prompt an operator of the mobile-communication device to enter the license key and in response to the license key, decrypt and store the decrypted pass code on the mobile-communication device such that the pass code is available for communication to the designated teleconference bridge each time the operator of the mobile-communication device establishes a call via the telephone number; and

upon receipt of a call from the mobile-communication device, waiting for the pass code before connecting the call to the teleconference bridge.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of providing executable instructions further comprises:

associating the pass code with teleconference bridge controls responsive to a subscriber privilege level.

12. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the communicated license key includes a pass code accepted on the teleconference bridge.

13. The telecommunication system of claim 12 , wherein the pass code identifies an operational mode for the mobile communication device for the conference call.

14. The telecommunication system of claim 12 , wherein the pass code is a subset of alphanumeric characters from the communicated license key.

15. The telecommunication system of claim 12 , wherein the pass code is a translated subset of alphanumeric characters from the communicated license key.

16. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein the pass code is generated from a portion of the alphanumeric characters from the communicated license key.

17. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein an authenticator, coupled to the teleconference bridge, prompts the mobile-communication device for a pass code.

18. The telecommunication system of claim 1 , wherein an authenticator, coupled to the teleconference bridge, prompts the mobile-communication device for a pass code.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2021
From: AMERICAN TELECONFERENCING SERVICES, LTD.
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE AGENCY, LLC
Reel/Frame 056120/0745 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AMERICAN TELECONFERENCING SERVICES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 037238/0583 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 11, 2010
From: AMERICAN TELECONFERENCING SERVICES, LTD.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024515/0552 →
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 10, 2010
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AMERICAN TELECONFERENCING SERVICES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 024515/0013 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 30, 2010
From: AMERICAN TELECONFERENCING SERVICES, LTD.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024160/0233 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2006
From: LEIGH, RANDOLPH J.; MILLER, THOMAS RAY; GUTHRIE, DAVID; TAPP, J. SCOTT
To: AMERICAN TELECONFERENCING SERVICES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 018138/0115 →