Systems and methods for facilitating transferring of conference calls using mobile communication devices

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.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of facilitating transferring of conference call sessions on a primary communication device to an alternate communication device, comprising:
 establishing an authenticated control session and a first media session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller as part of a conference call session, wherein the first media session includes communication of media data signals;   receiving a command selecting a transfer option;   determining whether the control session is still authenticated, and if so, sending a transfer request from the primary communication device to the conference call controller to extend the conference call session to the alternate communication device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein if the control session has been de-authenticated:
 automatically performing re-authentication of the control session, or   displaying an input field requesting information required to re-authenticate the control session on a user interface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 after sending the transfer request, maintaining the authenticated control session; and   terminating the first media session.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein determining whether the control session is still authenticated comprises determining one of: whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, or whether a moderator control has terminated the authentication of the control session. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of sending a transfer request comprises sending Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based commands. 
     
     
         22 . A method of facilitating transferring of conference call sessions on a conference call controller, from a primary communication device to an alternate communication device, comprising:
 establishing an authenticated control session and a first media session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller, wherein the first media session includes communication of media data signals;   receiving a transfer request from the primary communication device to link the alternate communication device into the conference call session;   determining whether the transfer request is authenticated, and if so, completing the transfer request to the alternate communication device.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein completing the transfer request comprises:
 extending a second media session to the alternate communication device; and   after extending the second media session to the alternate communication device, terminating the first media session and maintaining the control session.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein completing the transfer request further comprises placing a telephone call to the alternate communication device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein determining whether the transfer request is authenticated comprises:
 routing the transfer request to a moderator for approval;   receiving an indication of approval or an indication of denial from the moderator;   based on receiving an indication of approval, completing the transfer request.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein determining whether the transfer request is authenticated comprises:
 determining privilege levels of a user of the primary communication device; and   based on determining the privilege levels of the user, completing or denying the transfer request.   
     
     
         27 . A communications device, comprising:
 a communication subsystem for communicating with a conference call controller; and   a display for displaying a user interface on the communication device,   wherein the communication device is configured for:
 establishing an authenticated control session and a first media session between the communication device and a conference call controller as part of a conference call session, wherein the first media session includes communication of media data signals; 
 receiving a command selecting a transfer option; 
 determining whether the control session is still authenticated, and if so, sending a transfer request from the communication device to the conference call controller to extend the conference call session to an alternate communication device. 
   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device is further configured for:
 determining whether the control session has been de-authenticated, and if so,
 automatically performing re-authentication of the control session, or 
 displaying an input field requesting information required to re-authenticate the control session on the user interface. 
   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device is further configured for:
 after sending the transfer request, maintaining the authenticated control session; and   terminating the first media session.   
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein determining whether the control session is still authenticated comprises determining one of: whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, or whether a moderator control has terminated the authentication of the control session. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein sending a transfer request comprises sending Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based commands. 
     
     
         32 . A conference call controller implemented on a communication system comprising a network, wherein the conference call controller is configured for:
 establishing an authenticated control session and a first media session between a primary communication device and the conference call controller, wherein the first media session includes communication of media data signals;   receiving a transfer request from the primary communication device to link an alternate communication device into the conference call session;   determining whether the transfer request is authenticated, and if so, completing the transfer request to the alternate communication device.   
     
     
         33 . The controller of  claim 32 , wherein completing the transfer request comprises:
 extending a second media session to the alternate communication device; and   after extending the second media session to the alternate communication device, terminating the first media session and maintaining the control session.   
     
     
         34 . The controller of  claim 33 , wherein completing the transfer request further comprises placing a telephone call to the alternate communication device. 
     
     
         35 . The controller of  claim 32 , wherein determining whether the transfer request is authenticated comprises:
 routing the transfer request to a moderator for approval;   receiving an indication of approval or an indication of denial from the moderator;   based on receiving an indication of approval, completing the transfer request.   
     
     
         36 . The controller of  claim 32 , wherein determining whether the transfer request is authenticated comprises:
 determining privilege levels of a user of the primary communication device; and   based on determining the privilege levels of the user, completing or denying the transfer request.