System 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 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of facilitating transferring a conference call session from a primary communication device, comprising:
 establishing a conference call session, comprising a continuous control session and a media session between the primary communication device and a conference call controller;   receiving a selection of an option to link an alternate communication device within the conference call session;   sending a transfer request from the primary communication device to the conference call controller to link the alternate communication device to the conference call session;   determining whether the transfer request requires authentication; and   sending an indication of authentication of the transfer request.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 terminating the media session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller; and   maintaining the control session between the primary communication device and the conference call controller subsequent to terminating the media session.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 sending a request for authentication from the primary communication device to the conference call controller; and   receiving a confirmation of authentication from the conference call controller.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said sending of the request for authentication comprises requesting a transfer from the primary communication device to the alternate communication device via the conference call controller and receiving a confirmation of authentication from the alternate communication device via the conference call controller. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising displaying an authentication interface during the conference call session. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of determining whether the transfer request requires authentication comprises determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of sending a transfer request comprises Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based commands. 
     
     
         26 . A communication device, comprising:
 a communication subsystem for communicating with a conference call controller operable to maintain a conference call session with the communication device and other communication devices;   wherein the communication device is configured for:
 establishing a continuous conference call session, comprising a continuous control session and a media session between the communication device and the conference call controller; 
 receiving a selection of an option to link an alternate communication device to the conference call session; 
 sending a transfer request from the communication device to the conference call controller to link the alternate communication device to the conference call session; 
 determining whether the transfer request requires authentication; and 
 sending an indication of authentication of the transfer request. 
   
     
     
         27 . The communication device of  claim 26 , wherein the communication device is further configured for:
 terminating the media session between the communication device and the conference call controller; and   maintaining the control session between the communication device and the conference call controller subsequent to terminating the media session.   
     
     
         28 . The communication device of  claim 26 , wherein the communication device is further configured for:
 sending a request for authentication from the communication device to the conference call controller; and   receiving a confirmation of authentication from the conference call controller.   
     
     
         29 . The communication device of  claim 28 , wherein said sending of the request for authentication comprises requesting a transfer to the alternate communication device via the conference call controller and receiving a confirmation of authentication from the alternate communication device via the conference call controller. 
     
     
         30 . The communication device of  claim 26 , further comprising a display; and
 wherein the communication device is further configured for displaying an authentication interface including a transfer option on the display during the conference call session.   
     
     
         31 . The communication device of  claim 26 , wherein the step of determining whether the transfer request requires authentication comprises determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed. 
     
     
         32 . The communication device of  claim 26 , wherein the step of sending a transfer request comprises Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based commands. 
     
     
         33 . A system for facilitating transferring of conference call sessions between a plurality of communication devices, the system comprising:
 a conference call controller configured for:
 establishing a continuous control session and a first media session with a first primary communication device; 
 establishing a second media session with a second primary communication device, and linking the first media session and the second media session in a conference call session; 
 receiving a transfer request from the first primary communication device; 
 determining whether the transfer request requires authentication; 
 receiving an indication of authentication; and 
 establishing, based on the authenticated transfer request, an alternate media session between an alternate communication device and the conference call controller and linking the alternate media session within the conference call session. 
   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the conference call controller is further configured for:
 determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, and if so, de-authenticating said control session with the first primary communication device.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the step of receiving an indication of authentication includes receiving a password associated with the first primary communication device. 
     
     
         36 . A method for facilitating transferring of conference call sessions between a plurality of communication devices:
 establishing a continuous control session and a first media session with a first primary communication device;   establishing a second media session with a second primary communication device, and linking the first media session and the second media session in a conference call session;   receiving a transfer request from the first primary communication device;   determining whether the transfer request requires authentication;   receiving an indication of authentication; and   establishing, based on the authenticated transfer request, an alternate media session between an alternate communication device and the conference call controller and linking the alternate media session within the conference call session.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the conference call controller is further configured for:
 determining whether a predetermined authentication time period has elapsed, and if so, de-authenticating said control session with the first primary communication device.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of receiving an indication of authentication includes receiving a password associated with the first primary communication device.