K - System and Method To Authorize Conference Call Participants in A Trusted Environment

K - System and Method To Authorize Conference Call Participants in A Trusted Environment

Joining a conference call at the same conference call server could be cumbersome at times and the existing system has security concerns. A typical phone conference host has a participant passcode and all participants must input that passcode after they dial into a "call-in" number in order to be authorized to join the conference call. There are several security problems, such as the re-use of the same participant passcode for multiple conference calls. In addition, if business professionals must join multiple conference calls in a day, each with a unique participant passcode, it is impossible to memorize every one of these passcodes; looking up the passcode for each meeting is cumbersome and inefficient.

In many systems, if a participant dialed into a conference call, they can stay on after the current call has completed and listen in on the next call. There is no easy way to selectively disconnect a certain participant. There are some existing mechanisms to handle this situation, for example, knowing the number of individuals calling in, but many times, it is impossible to know the number of call participants. There is also a conference call registration service, where participant information will be verified, but this is not an automated system.

To handle the security issue, some phone conference systems generate new participant passcodes for every meeting. However, this same passcode is shared by multiple individuals and the chances are higher of the passcode being passed to an unauthorized individual. In addition, after each call, all participants will be disconnected. If the participant is supposed to be on multiple continuous calls, then the participant will have to re-dial.

Related prior art includes:

• Centrally initialize conference call. [1] This patent does not handle the security issues involved when initiating calls from the central server to the participants.

• Verifying authenticity of conference call invitees. [2] The disclosed invention employs the simple and traditional mechanism (passcode) for participant authentication, without requiring special or high tech equipment. The invention also enhances the passcode mechanism and provides additional security.

• Selective conference call disconnects. [3] The disclosed invention a...