Patent ID: 12244572

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following described implementations may be found in the disclosed electronic device and method for client-side encryption of content related to virtual meetings. Exemplary aspects of the disclosure provide an electronic device (for example, a mobile phone, a desktop, a laptop, a smart television, a video conferencing system, and the like). For a virtual meeting session with one or more participant devices, the electronic device may acquire one or more encryption keys. The electronic device may include a meeting client that may facilitate a participant associated with the electronic device to join or host the virtual meeting session and to communicate with respective meeting clients of the one or more participant devices. The electronic device may determine, in a duration of the virtual meeting session, content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices, via the meeting client of the electronic device. The electronic device may encrypt the determined first content using the one or more acquired encryption keys and may transfer the encrypted content to a meeting server. The meeting server associated with the meeting client of the electronic device may transfer the encrypted content to the one or more participant devices.

Conventionally, in a virtual meeting session, content or information to be transferred to one or more participant devices of the virtual meeting session may be transferred to a meeting server associated with the virtual meeting application. The content may be encrypted between the client and the meeting server and/or on the meeting server (i.e., a server-side encryption) based on encryption policies and methodologies adopted by the meeting server. In contrast, the disclosed electronic device and method may enable encryption of content associated with a virtual meeting session on client-side (e.g., on the electronic device) prior to transfer of the content to the one or more participant devices. Since the content to be transferred is encrypted on the electronic device (client side), it may not be feasible for any unauthorized or unauthenticated devices to access, without decryption keys, the content on any meeting-related device, such as the meeting server or the electronic device.

In a case in which all participants of the virtual meeting session are part of an organization, the ability to have client-side encryption of the content may allow the organization to select encryption policies that meet the information security guidelines of the organization. The security of the transferred content may not rely on the encryption policies or encryption methodologies adopted by the meeting server, as done conventionally. This may improve the trust of participants of the virtual meeting session on a provider of the virtual meeting session and on meeting clients used to share or exchange data during the virtual meeting session.

FIG.1is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary network environment for client-side encryption of content related to virtual meetings, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. With reference toFIG.1, there is shown a network environment100. The network environment100includes an electronic device102, one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, a meeting server106, a key store108, and a 3rdparty server110. The electronic device102may communicate with devices such as the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, the meeting server106, the key store108, or the 3rdparty server110, through one or more networks (such as a communication network112). The electronic device102may include a meeting client114that may allow the electronic device102to join or host a virtual meeting session with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may include one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N. The one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N may allow the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N to join or host the virtual meeting session. There is shown a user118(a host or a participant of the virtual meeting) who may be associated with the electronic device102. There is further shown one or more participants120A . . .120N associated with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

The electronic device102may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to schedule, join, or initiate virtual meeting session(s) by use of the meeting client114. The meeting client114may enable on-device (i.e., client-side) encryption of content for the virtual meeting session(s). Examples of the electronic device102may include, but are not limited to, a computing device, a desktop, a personal computer, a laptop, a computer workstation, a display monitor or a computer monitor, a tablet, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a mobile phone, a consumer electronic (CE) device having a display, a television (TV), a wearable display, a head mounted display, a digital signage, a digital mirror (or a smart mirror), a video wall (which consists of two or more displays tiled together contiguously or overlapped in order to form one large screen), or an edge device connected to a user's home network or an organization's network.

The one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to schedule, join, or initiate virtual meeting session(s) by use of the meeting clients116A . . .116N. The meeting clients116A . . .116N may enable on-device (i.e., client-side) encryption of content for the virtual meeting session(s). Similar to the electronic device102, examples of a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may include, but are not limited to, a computing device, a desktop, a personal computer, a laptop, a computer workstation, a display monitor or a computer monitor, a tablet, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a mobile phone, a CE device having a display, a TV, a wearable display, a head mounted display, a digital signage, a digital mirror (or a smart mirror), a video wall (which consists of two or more displays tiled together contiguously or overlapped in order to form one large screen), or an edge device connected to a user's home network or an organization's network.

The meeting server106may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to render various services related to virtual meeting session(s). For example, such services may include a server-enabled communication between meeting client across devices, a feature that allows the meeting server106to support virtual meeting sessions at the same time, an option to record meeting content, an option to generate transcripts, an option to encrypt meeting-related content on the meeting server106, a receive encrypted first content and encrypted bitstreams, an option to share files, and the like. The meeting server106may execute operations through web applications, cloud applications, HTTP requests, repository operations, file transfer, and the like. Examples of implementations of the meeting server106may include, but are not limited to, a database server, a file server, a web server, an application server, a mainframe server, a cloud computing server, or a combination thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the meeting server106may be implemented as a plurality of distributed cloud-based resources by use of several technologies that are well known to those ordinarily skilled in the art. A person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that the scope of the disclosure may not be limited to the implementation of the meeting server106and the electronic device102(or each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N) as two separate entities. In certain embodiments, the functionalities of the meeting server106can be incorporated in its entirety or at least partially in the electronic device102(or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N), without a departure from the scope of the disclosure.

The key store108may include suitable logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to store a plurality of encryption keys for encryption of content associated with the electronic device102and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The key store108may be further configured to store a plurality of decryption keys for decryption of encrypted content associated with the electronic device102and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. In accordance with an embodiment, the plurality of encryption keys and the plurality of decryption keys may be associated with a plurality of organizations.

The key store108may be stored or cached on device(s), such as a server or an electronic device/system. In some cases, the key store108may be maintained on a network that may be managed by an organization. In such cases, the encryption or decryption keys in the key store108may be reserved for devices managed by the organization. The device(s) storing the key store108may be configured to receive a request for one or more encryption keys or one or more decryption keys from the electronic device102(or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N). The request may include information, such as user credentials, a meeting ID, a device ID, or an authentication token. The device(s) storing the key store108may be configured to validate the request and then provide the one or more encryption keys or decryption keys to the electronic device102or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N based on validation. In some embodiments, the key store108may store information pertaining to the participants (the participant118and the one or more participants120A . . .120N) invited to join the virtual meeting session. The key store108may communicate with the meeting server106to obtain the information, if the information about the participants is not available in the key store108. The information may enable the key store108to verify that the request for the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session has been received from a participant invited to join the virtual meeting session.

In some embodiments, the key store108may be a distributed ledger. The distributed ledger may be a decentralized and distributed database system that may maintain an immutable record of data operations or transactions. The set of data operations may be grouped together as a block and may be further linked to a previous block of data operations to form a chain of a plurality of blocks. All blocks of data operations may be stored in a decentralized manner, whereby all participants or nodes store all the plurality of blocks. Further, the distributed ledger may include one or more data blocks which may store the plurality of encryption keys and the plurality of decryption keys. One or more nodes may execute one or more signed transactions received from the electronic device102or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N to extract the one or more encryption keys of the plurality of encryption keys or the one or more decryption keys of the plurality of decryption keys.

In some embodiments, the key store108may be hosted on a plurality of servers at the same or different locations. The operations of the key store108may be executed using hardware including a processor, a microprocessor (e.g., to perform or control performance of one or more operations), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In some other instances, the key store108may be implemented using a software.

The 3rdparty server110may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to receive a record of meeting audio associated with a virtual meeting session from the electronic device102or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The 3rdparty server110may be further configured to receive a request from the electronic device102or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, to provide a transcript of the meeting audio. The 3rdparty server110may generate a transcript of the meeting audio and may send the generated transcript to the electronic device102or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The 3rdparty server110may be implemented as a cloud server and may execute operations through web applications, cloud applications, HTTP requests, repository operations, file transfer, and the like. Other example implementations of the 3rdparty server110may include, but are not limited to, a web server, an application server, an API server, a mainframe server, or a cloud computing server.

In some embodiments, the electronic device102or a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may generate a transcript of the meeting audio. The transcript may be generated by usage of audio information provided during the virtual meeting session by a device generating the transcript (the electronic device102or the participant device), and audio information received from audio sources of other devices in the virtual meeting session. The generated transcript may be transmitted as encrypted meeting metadata to the meeting server106.

In some embodiments, one or more participant devices (the electronic device102and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N) may generate the transcript of audio information originating from one or more audio sources of the one or more participant devices, while one or more other participants may send audio information, originating from one or more other audio sources to the 3rdparty server110. In some instances, the 3rdparty server110may generate meta-data other than transcript information from meeting content, such as thumbnail images of video content, bookmarks of occurrence of events (such as beginning of content sharing, or analysis of a meeting chat channel, shared whiteboard, and so on).

In at least one embodiment, the 3rdparty server110may be implemented as a plurality of distributed cloud-based resources by use of several technologies that are well known to those ordinarily skilled in the art. A person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that the scope of the disclosure may not be limited to the implementation of the 3rdparty server110and the electronic device102or each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, as two separate entities. In certain embodiments, the functionalities of the 3rdparty server110can be incorporated in its entirety or at least partially in the electronic device102or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, without a departure from the scope of the disclosure.

The communication network112may include a communication medium through which the electronic device102, the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, the meeting server106, the key store108, and the 3rdparty server110, may communicate with each other. The communication network112may be a wired or wireless communication network. Examples of the communication network112may include, but are not limited to, Internet, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

Various devices in the network environment100may be configured to connect to the communication network112, in accordance with various wired and wireless communication protocols. Examples of such wired and wireless communication protocols may include, but are not limited to, at least one of a Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Zig Bee, EDGE, IEEE 802.11, light fidelity(Li-Fi), 802.16, IEEE 802.11s, IEEE 802.11g, multi-hop communication, wireless access point (AP), device to device communication, cellular communication protocols, and Bluetooth (BT) communication protocols.

The meeting client114may be a software executable on the electronic device102or may be accessible via a web client installed on the electronic device102. The meeting client114may enable the participant118to join, schedule, communicate, exchange information with other participants of a virtual meeting session in a virtual environment. Examples of the virtual meeting session that may be organized using the meeting client114may include, but are not limited to, a web conference, an audio conference, an audio-graphic conference, a video conference, a live video, a podcast session with multiple speakers, and a video call. In some instances, the virtual meeting session may be a video conference in which game-related content (such as gameplay or game review) can be shared with game consoles used by game developers.

Each of the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N may be the same as the meeting client114. Therefore, a detailed description of the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N has been omitted from the disclosure for the sake of brevity.

In operation, the electronic device102may be configured to detect a user input or an event to enable client-side encryption for virtual meetings. The electronic device102may trigger one or more operations for client-side encryption for virtual meetings based on the detection of the user input or the event.

In an embodiment, the electronic device102may include a computer-executable program to detect the user input and/or the event. The computer-executable program may be interfaced with the meeting client114and/or other applications (such as an email client and a calendar application) that require meeting details. Examples of the interface may include, but are not limited to, a software plugin and an application programming interface (API). The electronic device102may perform the one or more operations to obtain content (such as content presented during the virtual meeting session, an audio recording of the virtual meeting session, a transcript of the virtual meeting session, or a text exchanged between participants of the virtual meeting session) generated inside the meeting client114via the computer-executable program.

The electronic device102may acquire one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. Such keys may be acquired prior to the initiation of the virtual meeting session. Examples of the one or more encryption keys may include public-private keys (asymmetric cryptography), session-specific encryption keys, temporal encryption keys, or a combination thereof. A session-specific encryption key may be used to encrypt meeting-related content generated in a specific virtual meeting session. A temporal encryption key may remain valid for encryption up to a specific period, such as for one or more hours, a day, a week, or a duration of the session. A content-specific encryption key may be used to encrypt specific type of content such as a record of meeting audio, a transcript of the meeting audio, a presentation, and a text file. A user-specific encryption key may be used for encrypting content to be sent to a specific participant of the virtual meeting. The electronic device102may acquire the or more encryption keys from the key store108. The key store108may be associated with an organization and the participant118and the one or more participants120A . . .120N may be members of the organization. The details of acquisition of the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session are described, for example, inFIG.3.

In a duration of the virtual meeting session, the electronic device102may determine first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. In accordance with an embodiment, the electronic device102may analyze meeting-related content associated with the virtual meeting session and may detect an event in the duration of the virtual meeting session based on analysis of the meeting-related content. The first content may correspond to one or more portions of the meeting-related content. The details of determination of the first content to be transferred in the duration of the virtual meeting session are described, for example, inFIGS.3,4A, and4B.

The electronic device102may encrypt the determined first content by use of the acquired one or more encryption keys. For example, the electronic device102may employ key based encryption techniques such as data encryption standard (DES), advanced encryption standard (AES), Rivest, Shamir, Adleman (RSA), and the like to encrypt the first content. After the encryption, the electronic device102may be configured to transfer the encrypted first content to a meeting server106. In some embodiments, different encryption keys may be utilized for encrypting different portions of the first content, such as audio, video, shared content, meeting chat, or content from a particular participant (participant118or the one or more participants120A . . .120N). In some cases, the first content may be encrypted with different encryption keys based on some attribute of the first content, such as a security level designation. Upon reception, the meeting server106may transfer the encrypted first content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

FIG.2is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary electronic device for client-side encryption of content to be exchanged during virtual meetings, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.2is explained in conjunction with elements fromFIG.1. With reference toFIG.2, there is shown a block diagram200of the electronic device102. The electronic device102may include circuitry202, a memory204, an input/output (I/O) device206, and a network interface208. In at least one embodiment, the memory204may also include an artificial intelligence (AI) model210. In at least one embodiment, the I/O device206may also include a display device212. The circuitry202may be communicatively coupled to the memory204, the I/O device206, and the network interface208, through wired or wireless communication of the electronic device102.

The circuitry202may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to execute program instructions associated with different operations to be executed by the electronic device102. The circuitry202may include one or more specialized processing units, which may be implemented as an integrated processor or a cluster of processors that perform the functions of the one or more specialized processing units, collectively. The circuitry202may be implemented based on a number of processor technologies known in the art. Examples of implementations of the circuitry202may be an ×86-based processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, a microcontroller, a central processing unit (CPU), and/or other computing circuits.

The memory204may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to store the program instructions to be executed by the circuitry202. The memory204may be configured to also store the AI model210. In at least one embodiment, the memory204may store the one or more encryption keys acquired by the electronic device102, the one or more decryption keys acquired by the electronic device102, bitrate-specific versions of the first content, the record the meeting audio, and a received transcript of the recorded meeting audio. Examples of implementation of the memory204may include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid-State Drive (SSD), a CPU cache, and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card.

The I/O device206may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to receive an input and provide an output based on the received input. For example, the I/O device206may receive user inputs from the participant118to trigger initiation of execution of program instructions, by the circuitry202, associated with different operations to be executed by the electronic device102. Examples of the I/O device206may include, but are not limited to, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a microphone, the display device212, and a speaker.

The I/O device206may include the display device212. The display device212may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to receive inputs from the circuitry202to render, on a display screen, content of the meeting client114. Examples of the content of the meeting client114may include, but not related to, meeting-related content, a chat box, and a User Interface (UI). The display screen may further render an event on the rendered content of the meeting client114. In an embodiment, the event that may be detected by the AI model210. In another embodiment, the event that may be detected based on one or more user inputs from the participant118and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The UI may receive the one or more user inputs from the participant118or the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, that allows determination of the first content from the rendered content of the meeting client114(meeting-related content). The display screen may be a touch screen which may enable a user to provide a user-input via the display device212or the display screen. The touch screen may be at least one of a resistive touch screen, a capacitive touch screen, or a thermal touch screen. The display device212or the display screen may be realized through several known technologies such as, but not limited to, at least one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a plasma display, or an Organic LED (OLED) display technology, or other display devices.

The network interface208may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to facilitate a communication between the circuitry202and the meeting server106, via the communication network112. The network interface208may be implemented by use of various known technologies to support wired or wireless communication of the electronic device102with the communication network112. The network interface208may include, but is not limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a coder-decoder (CODEC) chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, or a local buffer circuitry.

The network interface208may be configured to communicate via wireless communication with networks, such as the Internet, an Intranet, or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a short-range communication network, and a metropolitan area network (MAN). The wireless communication may use one or more of a plurality of communication standards, protocols and technologies, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), light fidelity (Li-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX), a near field communication protocol, and a wireless pear-to-pear protocol.

The functions or operations executed by the electronic device102, as described inFIG.1, may be performed by the circuitry202. Operations executed by the circuitry202are described in detail, for example, inFIGS.3,4A,4B,5, and6.

FIG.3is an exemplary sequence diagram that illustrates client-side encryption and client-side decryption of content by the electronic device ofFIG.2, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.3is explained in conjunction with elements fromFIG.1andFIG.2. With reference toFIG.3, there is shown exemplary sequence diagram300. In the exemplary sequence diagram300, there is shown one or more components ofFIG.1, such as the electronic device102, the meeting server106, the key store108, and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The electronic device102includes the meeting client114, which enables the electronic device102to join or host the virtual meeting session. The electronic device102, using the meeting client114, may communicate with the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N, included in the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The one or more components may execute a set of operations, such as operations302,304,306,308,310,312,314A,314B,316,318,320A,320B,322, and324. The operations from302to308may be executed prior to the initiation of the virtual meeting session. The operations from310to324may be executed after the initiation of the virtual meeting session. Alternatively, the operations from316to324may be executed after the initiation of another virtual meeting session, wherein the operations from302to308may be executed prior to the initiation of the other virtual meeting session.

In the sequence diagram300, the set of operations may be performed by the electronic device102to perform client-side encryption and client-side decryption for virtual meetings, as described herein. In an embodiment, the electronic device102may trigger the set of operations based on a user input. The user input may be provided by the participant118via the meeting client114included in the electronic device102. a participant of the one or more participants120A . . .120N may also provide the user input may, via a meeting client of the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N (included in the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N). The participant118or the participant of the one or more participants120A . . .120N may act as a host or initiator of the virtual meeting session. In an embodiment, the electronic device102may trigger the set of operations based on detection of an event on the meeting client114or a meeting client of the meeting clients116A . . .116N. Examples of the event may include, but are not limited to, a detection of schedule of the virtual meeting session or a detection of a virtual meeting state as ‘Active’.

At302, one or more encryption keys may be requested. The electronic device102may be configured to transmit one or more requests to the key store108for acquisition of the one or more encryption keys. In an embodiment, the electronic device102may be configured to digitally sign each of the one or more requests prior to transmission of the one or more requests. The electronic device102may transmit the one or more digitally signed requests to the key store108to acquire the one or more encryption keys, which may be used to encrypt one or more portions of the meeting-related content to be transmitted to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The key store108may be managed by an organization or a key issuing authority. The participant118and the one or more participants120A . . .120N (associated with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N), may be associated with the organization or the key issuing authority.

In some embodiments, the key store108may confirm whether the electronic device102(requestor) is authorized to host (or attend) the virtual meeting session, prior to providing the one or more encryption keys. In some embodiments, the key store108may provide the one or more encryption keys to the electronic device102in an encrypted form. The electronic device102may require a root certificate to decrypt the encrypted one or more encryption keys received from the key store108. The root certificate may be managed on one or more devices (such as computers) of the organization or the key issuing authority.

In some embodiments, the electronic device102(and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N) may communicate with the key store108through the meeting server106(for example, a video server) to provide a public key, specific to the electronic device102, in the one or more requests. The key store108may encrypt the one or more encryption keys (to be provided to the electronic device102in response to the one or more requests) for the virtual meeting session by use of the provided public key. The electronic device102may utilize a private key of the electronic device102to decrypt the encrypted one or more encryption keys. The decryption may allow the electronic device102to obtain the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session.

In some embodiments, the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session may be distributed outside of a video distribution system, such as in an invitation to the virtual meeting session sent through a channel other than the meeting server106.

In an embodiment, the key store108may be a distributed ledger. The distributed ledger may comprise of a plurality of nodes. The electronic device102may be configured to transmit a signed transaction to the distributed ledger. The one or more requests may include the signed transaction.

At304, the one or more encryption keys may be acquired. The electronic device102may be configured to acquire the one or more encryption keys, from the key store108, for a virtual meeting session with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The key store108may be configured to send the one or more encryption keys to the electronic device102upon successful authentication of the electronic device102. In an embodiment, the key store108may authenticate the electronic device102if the key store108is able to successfully verify digital signatures of each of the one or more requests received by the electronic device102. Similarly, the key store108may store one or more encryption keys for encryption of content that may be generated on the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The key store108may be configured to send one or more encryption keys to each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N upon successful authentication of (or verification of requests from) the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

In an embodiment, the electronic device102may generate a public encryption key and a private key. Similarly, each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, may generate a corresponding public key and a private key. Thereafter, the electronic device102and each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may send their respective public encryption keys to the key store108. The key store108may store such keys for future key access requests.

The electronic device102may utilize the private key to digitally sign each of the one or more requests for the acquisition of one or more public encryption keys corresponding to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The key store108may be configured to verify the signature of the one or more requests, based on a public key of the electronic device102.

The one or more encryption keys acquired by the electronic device102may include one or more public encryption keys of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The electronic device102may use a first public encryption key of the participant device104A to encrypt portions of the meeting-related content to be transmitted to the participant device104A. Similarly, the electronic device102may utilize a Nthpublic encryption key of the participant device104N to encrypt portions of the meeting-related content to be transmitted to the participant device104N.

If the key store108is a distributed ledger, then the key store108may store the one or more encryption keys in a first block of data on the distributed ledger. The distributed ledger may execute the signed transaction, transmitted by the electronic device102(at302), on one or more nodes associated with the distributed ledger. The signed transaction may be executed on the distributed ledger to extract the one or more encryption keys stored in the first block of data. The distributed ledger may be configured to send the one or more encryption keys to the electronic device102upon successful execution of the signed transaction. Similarly, the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may request the distributed ledger for encryption keys by sending one or more signed transactions. The distributed ledger may execute the one or more signed transactions received from the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may acquire the one or more encryption keys from the distributed ledger based on successful execution of the one or more signed transactions by the distributed ledger.

At306, one or more decryption keys may be requested. The electronic device102may be configured to transmit one or more requests to the key store108for acquisition of the one or more decryption keys. The key store108may store the one or more decryption keys corresponding to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N and such keys may be required for decryption of one or more encrypted bitstreams received from the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. In an embodiment, the electronic device102may be configured to digitally sign each of the one or more requests prior to the transmission of such requests to the key store108.

At308, the one or more decryption keys may be acquired. The electronic device102may be configured to acquire the one or more decryption keys from the key store108. Such keys may be utilized to decrypt one or more bitstreams received from the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. For example, the key store108may be configured to send the one or more decryption keys to the electronic device102upon successful authentication of the electronic device102. In an embodiment, the key store108may authenticate the electronic device102based on verification of the received one or more digitally signed requests using the public encryption key of the electronic device102.

In accordance with an embodiment, the key store108may be configured to generate the one or more decryption keys for the electronic device102. Additionally, the key store108may be configured to generate one or more decryption keys for each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. When requested by the electronic device102, the key store108may share with the electronic device102, the one or more decryption keys generated for the electronic device102. In such a case, the decryption key may be a private key of the electronic device102. To share content of the virtual meeting session with the electronic device102, each participant device may encrypt the content using a public key (i.e., the encryption key) of the electronic device102. The electronic device may decrypt the encrypted content using its own private key (i.e., the decryption key). Similarly, the key store108may share with the respective one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, the generated one or more decryption keys for each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

In an embodiment, if the key store108is a distributed ledger, the key store108may store the one or more decryption keys in a second block of data on the distributed ledger. The electronic device102may acquire the one or more decryption keys from the second block of data on the distributed ledger. The one or more decryption keys may be acquired when the distributed ledger sends the one or more decryption keys upon reception of the one or more digitally signed requests from the electronic device102.

In an embodiment, the electronic device102may be configured to acquire the one or more encryption keys and the one or more decryption keys from the key store108prior to the start of the virtual meeting session.

At310, first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may be determined. The electronic device102may be configured to determine, in a duration of the virtual meeting session, the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The first content may be a portion of the meeting-related content shared during the virtual meeting session.

In an embodiment, the electronic device102may analyze the meeting-related content throughout the duration of the virtual meeting session and may detect the event based on the analysis of the meeting-related content. By way of example, and not limitation, the electronic device102may employ the AI model210to analyze the meeting-related content.

In an embodiment, the AI model210may be trained using a dataset of images. The images may include one or more indications such as numbers, watermarks, words, alphabets, arrows, symbols, and the like. The electronic device102may mark the one or more portions of the meeting-related content using one or more indications. The AI model210may detect such indications in the duration of the virtual meeting session. An event may be detected when the AI model210detects an indication on the meeting-related content, based on the analysis of frames of the meeting-related content rendered on the display device212.

In another embodiment, the AI model210may be trained to recognize keywords in speech using a dataset that comprises keywords related to one or more topics of discussion of the virtual meeting session. The AI model210may be configured to analyze the speech of the participant118and the one or more participants120A . . .120N, to detect if the speech includes one or more keywords present in the dataset used for training the AI model210. An event may be detected when the AI model210detects such keywords in the speech.

In another embodiment, the electronic device102may be configured to receive inputs from the participant118and one or more participants120A . . .120N. The electronic device102may detect the event based on received user inputs. The electronic device102may receive a user input from the participant118via the UI of the meeting client114rendered on the display device212. Alternatively, the electronic device102may receive a user input from a participant via a UI of a meeting client of the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N.

In another embodiment, the electronic device102may receive user inputs from the participant118and/or one or more participants120A . . .120N. Such inputs may indicate a timestamp that corresponds to an event to trigger the encryption of content. In another embodiment, the electronic device102may detect the event based on detection of a beacon, such as an ultrasonic or infrasonic beacon inserted in meeting audio.

The electronic device102may be configured to determine the rendered meeting-related content as the first content, based on the event. For example, if the meeting-related content is a slide of a presentation, the slide can be considered as a portion of the presentation. The electronic device102may detect the slide number rendered on the slide as part of the event (using the AI model210, one or more user inputs, and/or the beacon). The electronic device102may determine the slide as the first content or the slide and one or more successive slides as the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N via the meeting client114of the electronic device102.

At312, the determined first content may be encrypted. The electronic device102may encrypt the determined first content by use of the one or more acquired encryption keys. The detailed implementation of one or more encryption techniques used by the electronic device102to encrypt the determined first content may be known to one skilled in the art, and therefore, a detailed description of such techniques has been omitted from the disclosure for the sake of brevity.

At314A, the encrypted first content may be transferred to the meeting server106. The electronic device102may transfer the encrypted first content to the meeting server106.

At314B, the encrypted first content may be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The meeting server106may transfer the encrypted first content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The detailed implementation of one or more techniques used by the electronic device102to transfer the encrypted first content to the meeting server106, and the one or more techniques used by the meeting server106to transfer the encrypted first content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may be known to one skilled in the art. Therefore, a detailed description of such techniques used by the electronic device102and the one or more techniques used by the meeting server106, has been omitted from the disclosure for the sake of brevity.

At316, the encrypted first content may be decrypted. The one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may decrypt the encrypted first content received from the meeting server106. Each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may be configured to decrypt using one or more decryption keys acquired from the key store108(like the acquisition of the one or more decryption keys by the electronic device102at308). The detailed description of one or more techniques used by the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, to decrypt the encrypted first content has been omitted from the disclosure for the sake of brevity.

At318, an encrypted bitstream may be generated. At any time-instant in the duration of the virtual meeting session, a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may be configured to generate the encrypted bitstream. The participant device may be configured to determine content to be transmitted to the electronic device102(like the determination of the first content by the electronic device102at310). The participant device may encrypt the determined content to generate the encrypted bitstream (like the encryption of the first content by the electronic device102at312). In an embodiment, the participant device may be configured to encrypt the bitstream by use of the public encryption key of the electronic device102. The public encryption key of the electronic device102may be acquired from the key store108.

At320A, the encrypted bitstream may be transferred to the meeting server106. The participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may transfer the encrypted bitstream to the meeting server106.

At320B, the encrypted bitstream may be transferred to the electronic device102. The meeting server106may transfer the encrypted first content to the electronic device102. The detailed implementation of one or more techniques used by the participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N to transfer the encrypted first content to the meeting server106, and the one or more techniques used by the meeting server106to transfer the encrypted first content to the electronic device102, may be known to one skilled in the art. Therefore, a detailed description of such techniques has been omitted from the disclosure for the sake of brevity.

At322, the encrypted bitstream may be decrypted. The electronic device102may be configured to receive the encrypted bitstream from the participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, in the duration of the virtual meeting session. The electronic device102may be configured to decrypt the received encrypted bitstream by use of the acquired one or more decryption keys (at302) to output second content.

At324, the second content may be rendered. The electronic device102may be configured to control the meeting client114of the electronic device102to render the second content on the display device212.

FIG.4Ais a diagram that illustrates an exemplary scenario for client-side encryption of content for virtual meetings, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.4Ais explained in conjunction with elements fromFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3. With reference toFIG.4A, there is shown an exemplary scenario400A. In the exemplary scenario400A, there is shown one or more components ofFIG.1, such as the electronic device102with a display (such as the display device212) that includes the UI of the meeting client114. It should be noted that the mobile phone or smart phone shown inFIG.4Ais presented merely as an example of the electronic device102. The present disclosure may be also applicable to other types of the electronic device102such as a desktop, a laptop, a TV, a personal computer, and so.

The electronic device102may include the meeting client114to join or host a virtual meeting session and to communicate with the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. At any time-instant, the electronic device102or a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may share the presentation as part of meeting-related content in the virtual meeting session. The presentation may be rendered on the screen of the electronic device102and each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. As shown, for example, the virtual meeting session may be attended by six participants viz., P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6. The participant118associated with the electronic device102may be P0. The UI of the meeting client114may render elements that may be configured to receive user inputs. The UI elements include a first button used to perform annotations, a second button to indicate whether to enable or disable a camera of the electronic device102, a third button to indicate whether to enable or disable a microphone of the electronic device102, a fourth button412A to initiate a recording of the virtual meeting session, a fifth button414A to share one or more files (stored on the electronic device102) with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, and a sixth button416A to indicate the electronic device102to initiate encryption of meeting-related content rendered on the UI of the meeting client114.

The UI of the meeting client114is shown at time instants T1and T2. At T1, meeting-related content (for example, a presentation) may be displayed on the screen (or display device212associated with the electronic device102) of the electronic device102. At T1, i.e., at15:30402A, the electronic device102may control the meeting client114to render the slide #20of the presentation on the UI of the meeting client114.

At T2, i.e., at15:40404A, the electronic device102may control the meeting client114to render the slide #22406A of the presentation on the UI of the meeting client114. At T2, the electronic device102may be configured to initiate an encryption of the meeting-related content, i.e., the slide #22406A, based on a detected event.

The electronic device102may be configured to detect the event in the duration of the virtual meeting session based on analysis of meeting-related content associated with the virtual meeting session. For example, the event may be detected at T2(15:40404A) when the slide #22406A of the presentation is rendered. The electronic device102may be configured to determine, in the duration of the virtual meeting session (i.e., at T2), the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The first content may be determined to be a portion of the meeting-related content and corresponds to the detected event. For example, the slide #22406A of the presentation may be determined as the first content if the electronic device102is able to detect the event at T2(15:40404A). In some instances, one or more slides that may succeed the slide #22406A may be included in the first content.

The event may correspond to one of an indication, a watermark, a keyword, a beacon, or a timestamp that may be included in the meeting-related content and may be rendered on the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The electronic device102may utilize at least one of the indication, the watermark, the keyword, the beacon, or the timestamp to mark specific portions of the meeting-related content.

In an embodiment, the electronic device102may be configured to receive at least one input in the duration of the virtual meeting session via a UI element of the meeting client114and/or a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The electronic device102may detect the event based on the at least one input.

In an embodiment, the event may be detected based on a user input via the fourth button412A. The fourth button412A may be selected by the participant118or the one or more participants120A . . .120N to initiate a recording of the virtual meeting session. The event may be detected further based on a user input via the fifth button414A (i.e., a screenshare option). The event may be detected further based on a user input via the sixth button416A (i.e., the “Encrypt” button). The user input may be provided by the participant118or the one or more participants120A . . .120N. The event may be detected further based on a user input via the or a combination of, the fourth button412A, the fifth button414A, and the sixth button416A. In some instances, the event may be detected when one or more conditions are met. Such conditions may include, for example, a render of a specific slide (for example, the slide #22406A) on the UI of the meeting client114, a presence of a symbol (for example, the watermark410A) on the meeting-related content (slide #22406A), a presence of a keyword (for example, the keyword “Confidential”408A) in the meeting-related content (slide #22406A), and a detection of a specific timestamp (for example, the time instant T2or 15:40404A) in the duration of the virtual meeting session.

In another embodiment, the electronic device102may be configured to analyze the meeting-related content throughout the virtual meeting session by use of the AI model210. The AI model210may analyze each frame rendered on the UI of the meeting client114during the virtual meeting session. The event may be detected based on the analysis of the slide #22406A (of the meeting-related content) at T2. The AI model210may be trained using a dataset of images that include numbers, watermarks, words, alphabets, symbols, and the like.

If the relevant content is to be presented at the specific timestamp15:40404A, the electronic device102may use the AI model210to detect numbers15and40that represent the specific timestamp. The electronic device102may use the AI model210to also detect symbols such as arrows as watermarks or specific keywords. For example, if the slide #22406A of the presentation includes the word “confidential”, the electronic device102may use the AI model210to detect the word “confidential”. As shown, for example, the slide #22406A includes the slide number (#22), the watermark410A, the keyword “Confidential”408A, and the timestamp15:40404A. The trained AI model210may detect at least one of the slide number (#22), the watermark410A, the keyword “Confidential”408A, and the timestamp15:40404A, based on analysis of the at least one frame rendered on the UI of the meeting client114at T2.

The electronic device102may determine slide #22406A and/or the one or more slides succeeding the slide #22406A as the first content upon detection of the event at T2(15:40404A). Thereafter, the electronic device102may encrypt the first content rendered on slide #22406A and may transmit the meeting-related content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

FIG.4Bis a diagram that illustrates an exemplary scenario for client-side encryption of content for virtual meetings, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.4Bis explained in conjunction with elements fromFIG.1,FIG.2,FIG.3, andFIG.4A. With reference toFIG.4B, there is shown an exemplary scenario400B. In the exemplary scenario400B, there is shown one or more components ofFIG.1, such as the electronic device102with the display (such as the display device212) that includes the UI of the meeting client114. The electronic device102may include the meeting client114to join or host a virtual meeting session and to communicate with the one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The virtual meeting session may be attended by four participants viz., P1, P2, P3, and P4. The participant118associated with the electronic device102may be P0. The UI of the meeting client114may render elements that may be configured to receive user inputs. The UI elements may include a first button to perform annotations, a second button to indicate whether to enable or disable a camera of the electronic device102, a third button to indicate whether to enable or disable a microphone of the electronic device102, and a fourth button to instruct the electronic device102to initiate encryption of meeting-related content rendered on the UI of the meeting client114.

The UI of the meeting client114is shown at time instants T1and T2. At T1, meeting-related content (for example, a presentation), and a chat box412that includes a conversation between the participants of the virtual meeting session may be displayed on a screen (e.g., the display device212) of the electronic device102. At T1, i.e., at16:00402B, the electronic device102may control the meeting client114to render slide #25of the presentation on the UI of the meeting client114. The chat box412may include a message received from the participant P4and a message received from the participant P1. At T2, i.e., at16:10404B, the electronic device102may control the meeting client114to render slide #27406B of the presentation on the UI of the meeting client114. The chat box412may include a new message from the participant P2in addition to the messages received from the participant P4and the participant P1. At T2, the electronic device102may be configured to initiate an encryption of the meeting-related content, i.e., the slide #27406B, based on a detection of an event. The event may be detected based on the new message received from the participant P2. The event may be detected at T2(16:10404B) when the slide #27406B of the presentation is rendered and may correspond to a keyword included in the new message. For example, the keyword in the message may include a word “feature” related to a product in development. The detection may be performed based on application of the AI model210on text messages included in the chat box412.

In an embodiment, the electronic device102may train the AI model210to detect specific keywords that may be present in the meeting-related content (e.g., slides of the presentation) or in one or more messages (text) included in the chat box412. As an example, the electronic device102may train the AI model210to detect keywords that may be relevant to the topic of discussion during the virtual meeting session.

The electronic device102may be configured to determine, in the duration of the virtual meeting session (at T2), the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The first content may be determined to be a portion of the meeting-related content and corresponds to the detected event. For example, the meeting-related content rendered on slide #27406B and/or the one or more slides succeeding the slide #27406B may be determined as the first content upon detection of the event at T2(16:10404B).

The electronic device102may encrypt the meeting-related content rendered on slide #27406B and may transmit the encrypted content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N associated with the participants P1, P2, P3, and P4.

FIG.5is an exemplary sequence diagram that illustrates client-side encryption of a bitrate specific version of first content, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.5is explained in conjunction with elements fromFIG.1,FIG.2,FIG.3,FIG.4A, andFIG.4B. With reference toFIG.5, there is shown an exemplary sequence diagram500. In the exemplary sequence diagram500, there is shown one or more components ofFIG.1, such as the electronic device102, the meeting server106, and the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. In the exemplary sequence diagram500, the electronic device102may execute a set of operations502,504,506,508,510,512,514A, and514B to encrypt bit-rate specific versions of the first content, as described herein.

At502, bitrate-specific versions of the first content may be generated. The electronic device102may be configured to generate bitrate-specific versions of the first content. For example, if the first content is an audio portion of a meeting audio (media related content), the electronic device102may encode the first content at multiple bitrates to generate multiple bitrate-specific versions of the first content.

At504, network bandwidth pertaining to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N of the virtual meeting session may be requested. The electronic device102may be configured to send one or more requests to the meeting server106to provide the network bandwidth pertaining to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. In some instances, such requests may be periodically shared with the meeting server106to provide the network bandwidth pertaining to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The network bandwidth may depend on, for example, capabilities of a participant device to send and receive data, a network infrastructure and capability of a service provider that provides network connectivity services (for example, Internet) to the participant device, and an internet traffic load on the network of the participant device. In some instances,

At506, the network bandwidth pertaining to each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N of the virtual meeting session may be received from the meeting server106. The electronic device102may be configured to receive the network bandwidth pertaining to each of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, in response to the one or more requests to the meeting server106.

In an embodiment, the meeting server106may verify whether the received one or more requests have been sent by the electronic device102. For example, the meeting server106may verify that the source of the received one or more requests is a trusted participant device, based on digital signatures associated with the received one or more requests. The verification may be performed by use of the public encryption key of the electronic device102. If the verification is successful, the meeting server106may send the network bandwidth pertaining to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N to the electronic device102.

At508, a network bandwidth of the participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N may be determined in the duration of the virtual meeting session. The electronic device102may be configured to determine the network bandwidth of the participant device from the network bandwidth received from the meeting server106.

At510, a bitrate specific version of the first content may be selected. The electronic device102may be configured to select the bitrate specific version of the first content from the generated bitrate specific versions, based on the determined network bandwidth of the participant device. The selected bitrate specific version may correspond to the network bandwidth of the participant device.

At512, the selected bitrate specific version of the first content may be encrypted. The electronic device102may be configured to encrypt the selected bitrate specific version of the first content by use of the acquired one or more encryption keys. The details pertaining to the encryption of the first content and the acquisition of the one or more encryption keys are described, for example, inFIG.3.

At514A, the encrypted bitrate specific version of the first content may be transferred. The electronic device102may be configured to transfer the encrypted bitrate specific version of the first content to the meeting server106.

At514B, the encrypted bitrate specific version of the first content may be transferred to the participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The meeting server106may transfer the encrypted bitrate specific version of the first content to the participant device.

FIG.6is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary network environment for client-side encryption of a received transcript of a meeting audio associated with a virtual meeting session, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.6is explained in conjunction with elements fromFIG.1,FIG.2,FIG.3,FIG.4A,FIG.4B, andFIG.5. With reference toFIG.6, there is shown exemplary network environment600. In the exemplary network environment600, there is shown one or more components ofFIG.1, such as the electronic device102, the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, the meeting server106, and the 3rdparty server110.

At any time-instant in the duration of the virtual meeting session, the electronic device102may be configured to record a meeting audio on the electronic device102. By way of example, the electronic device102may receive a user input from the participant118via the UI of the meeting client114(on the fifth button414A). The recording of the meeting audio may be initiated based on the received input from the participant118(or one or more indications from the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N).

The electronic device102may be further configured to transmit a request to the 3rdparty server110for a transcription of the recorded meeting audio. Along with the request, the electronic device102may transfer the recorded meeting audio to the 3rdparty server110without encrypting the recorded meeting audio. Since the electronic device102may consider the 3rdparty server110as a trusted entity, the request may be transmitted to the 3rdparty server110and not to the meeting server106. In an embodiment, the request may be an API call to the 3rdparty server110.

The electronic device102may be further configured to receive a transcript of the meeting audio from the 3rdparty server110. The first content may include the transcript of the meeting audio. The 3rdparty server110may utilize Speech-to-Text (STT) techniques to generate the transcript of the meeting audio. Such techniques may utilize software and speech recognition modes, such as deep neural networks to generate the transcript of the meeting audio.

Upon reception, the electronic device102may encrypt the transcript of the meeting audio (as part of the first content) and may transfer the encrypted transcript of the meeting audio to the meeting server106. The meeting server106may transfer the encrypted transcript of the meeting audio to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The meeting server106may not have the keys to decrypt the encrypted transcript.

InFIG.6, the 3rdparty server110has been described as capable of providing a speech transcription service. However, the 3rdparty server110may not be restricted in its functionality to transcription services. The services provided by the 3rdparty server110may include, but not limited to, execution of search queries over web, a video playback for web URL, a file download over FTP server (for example, drop box), or a summarization of content discussed in audio.

FIG.7is a flowchart that illustrates exemplary operations for client-side encryption of content for virtual meetings, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.7is explained in conjunction with elements fromFIGS.1,2,3,4A,4B,5, and6. With reference toFIG.7, there is shown a flowchart700. The operations from702to710may be implemented by any computing system, such as by the electronic device102ofFIG.1. The operations may start at702and may proceed to704.

At704, one or more encryption keys may be acquired for the virtual meeting session with one or more participant devices104A . . .104N where the electronic device102may include the meeting client114to join or host the virtual meeting session and to communicate with the meeting clients116A . . .116N of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. In at least one embodiment, the circuitry202may be configured to acquire the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session116with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

At706, the first content may be determined to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N in the duration of the virtual meeting session, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. In at least one embodiment, the circuitry202may be configured to determine, in the duration of the virtual meeting session, the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The details of determination of the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102, are described, for example, inFIGS.4A and4B.

At708, the determined first content may be encrypted by use of the acquired one or more encryption keys. In at least one embodiment, the circuitry202may be configured to encrypt the determined first content by use of the acquired one or more encryption keys.

At710, the encrypted first content may be transferred to the meeting server106where the meeting server transfers the encrypted first content to the meeting server106. In at least one embodiment, the circuitry202may be configured to transfer the encrypted first content to the meeting server106. The meeting server106may transfer the encrypted first content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. Control may pass to end.

Although the flowchart700is illustrated as discrete operations, such as704,706,708, and710the disclosure is not so limited. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, such discrete operations may be further divided into additional operations, combined into fewer operations, or eliminated, depending on the implementation without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

Various embodiments of the disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium and/or storage medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions executable by a machine and/or a computer to operate an electronic device (such as the electronic device102). The computer-executable instructions may cause the machine and/or computer to perform operations that include acquisition of the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session116with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The electronic device102may include a meeting client114to join or host the virtual meeting session and to communicate with one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N, of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The operations may further include determination, in the duration of the virtual meeting session, the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The operations may further include encryption of the determined first content by use of the acquired one or more encryption keys. The operations may further include transfer of the encrypted first content to the meeting server106. The meeting server106transfers the encrypted first content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N.

Exemplary aspects of the disclosure may include an electronic device (such as the electronic device102ofFIG.1) that may include circuitry (such as the circuitry202), that may be communicatively coupled to one or more electronic devices (such as the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, ofFIG.1). The electronic device102may further include memory (such as the memory204ofFIG.2). The circuitry202may be configured to acquire the one or more encryption keys for the virtual meeting session116with the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The electronic device102may include a meeting client114to join or host the virtual meeting session and to communicate with one or more meeting clients116A . . .116N, of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The circuitry202may be further configured to determine, in the duration of the virtual meeting session, the first content to be transferred to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, via the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The first content may be a part of a file transfer process, a conversation, a discussion, or a presentation in the duration of the virtual meeting session. The first content comprises a meeting audio, a textual conversation, a video recording of the virtual meeting session, a record of annotations performed by the one or more participants120A . . .120N, of the virtual meeting session on a type of content presented in the virtual meeting session, metadata of the virtual meeting session, or a transcript of the meeting audio recording. The circuitry202may be further configured to encrypt the determined first content by use of the acquired one or more encryption keys. The circuitry202may be further configured to transfer the encrypted first content to the meeting server106. The meeting server106transfers the encrypted first content to the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The one or more encryption keys may be acquired from a key store108that is managed by an organization or a key issuing authority. If the key store108is a distributed ledger, the one or more encryption keys are stored in a first block of data on the distributed ledger.

In accordance with an embodiment, the circuitry202may be configured to transmit a signed transaction to the distributed ledger. The distributed ledger had executed the signed transaction on nodes associated with the distributed ledger to extract the one or more encryption keys from the first block of data. The one or more encryption keys may be acquired based on the extraction.

In accordance with an embodiment, the circuitry202may be further configured to acquire one or more decryption keys from the key store108. The circuitry202may be further configured to receive an encrypted bit-stream from a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, in the duration of the virtual meeting session. The circuitry202may be further configured to decrypt the encrypted bit-stream by use of the acquired one or more decryption keys to output second content. The circuitry202may be further configured to control the meeting client114of the electronic device102to render the second content. The key store108that may be managed by an organization or a key issuing authority. If the key store108is a distributed ledger, the one or more decryption keys may be stored in a second block of data on the distributed ledger. The one or more encryption keys and the one or more decryption keys may be acquired before a start of the virtual meeting session.

In accordance with an embodiment, the circuitry202may be further configured to detect an event in the duration of the virtual meeting session based on analysis of meeting-related content associated with the virtual meeting session. The first content is determined to be a portion of the meeting-related content and corresponds to the detected event. The event corresponds to one of an indication, a watermark, a keyword, a beacon, or a timestamp that is included in the meeting-related content and is rendered on the meeting client114of the electronic device102. The event is detected further based on application of the AI model210on the meeting-related content. The circuitry202may be further configured to receive, via a UI element of the meeting client114, at least one input in the duration of the virtual meeting session from a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N. The event is detected further based on the at least one input.

In accordance with an embodiment, the circuitry202may be further configured to determine a network bandwidth of a participant device of the one or more participant devices104A . . .104N, in the duration of the virtual meeting session. The circuitry202may be further configured to generate bitrate-specific versions of the first content. The circuitry202may be further configured to select a bit rate-specific version of the generated bitrate-specific versions based on the network bandwidth. The circuitry202may be further configured to encrypt the selected bitrate specific version of the first content by use of the one or more encryption keys. The circuitry202may be further configured to transfer the encrypted bitrate specific version of the first content to the meeting server106. The meeting server106may transfer the encrypted bitrate specific version of the first content to the participant device.

In accordance with an embodiment, the circuitry202may be further configured to record a meeting audio on the electronic device102in the duration of the virtual meeting session. The circuitry202may be further configured to transmit a request to the 3rdparty server110for a transcription of the recorded meeting audio. The circuitry202may be further configured to receive a transcript of the meeting audio from the 3rdparty server110. The first content includes the transcript.

The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion, in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements may be spread across several interconnected computer systems. A computer system or other apparatus adapted to carry out the methods described herein may be suited. A combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, may control the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present disclosure may be realized in hardware that comprises a portion of an integrated circuit that also performs other functions.

The present disclosure may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features that enable the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program, in the present context, means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system with information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly, or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.

While the present disclosure is described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departure from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departure from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.