System and method for private and point-to-point communication between computing devices

• US 10,164,776 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2018
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gotenna, Inc
• Original Assignee: Gotenna, Inc
• Inventors: Perdomo, Jorge
• Primary Examiner(s): Lemma, Samson B
• Application Number:
  US15/997,625
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 713171, 726 3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/006 involving public key infrastructure [PKI] trust models network architecture or network communication protocol for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A hardware and software bundle that can enable computers and mobile phones to communicate small data packages without relying on the internet or the central cellular network infrastructure. The bundle enables users to send text messages and other data. For example, GPS coordinates, multimedia from the situation, accelerometer and other sensor data can all be sent over a decentralized network, enabling enhanced communication and situation response when the central grid is unavailable.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a mesh network radio transceiver, configured to communicate a multipacket series of digital packets directly with other mesh network radio transceivers, using a communication protocol which employs error correction, frequency hopping, over a plurality of different available communication frequencies;

a short range communication link configured to communicate with a host device; and

a hardware processor, configured to;

communicate GPS coordinates between host device and the mesh radio transceiver,

manage the communication protocol to control error correction, and a selection of the frequency hopping pattern of the mesh network radio transceiver,

receive the multipacket series of digital packets, comprising an encrypted message, error correction information, a target identifier, and a timestamp,

assemble contents of the encrypted message,

transmit a signal confirming receipt of complete assembled contents of the encrypted message, without requiring decryption of the encrypted message;

send the multipacket series of digital packets comprising the encrypted message, the error correction information, the target identifier, and the timestamp, and

retransmit digital packets of the multipacket series of digital packets until receipt of a signal confirming receipt of the respective digital packets or a timeout.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is configured to communicate the GPS coordinates from the host device to the mesh network radio transceiver.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is configured to communicate the GPS coordinates to the host device from the mesh network radio transceiver.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to conduct a public/private key exchange to define an encryption key for the multipacket series of digital packets.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to conduct a public/private key exchange to define a decryption key of the received multipacket series of digital packets.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to

transmit, receive, and rebroadcast ping messages through the mesh network radio transceiver;

and

analyze a respective ping message received from another mesh network radio transceiver to determine a position or distance of the communication device from the other mesh network radio transceiver.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the host device is configured to use the respective ping message to determine and display the position of the other mesh network radio transceiver.

8. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the host device is configured to use the respective ping message to determine and display the distance to the other mesh network radio transceiver.

9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the host device comprises a human speech communication interface.

10. A communication method, comprising:

communicating a multipacket series of digital packets of a digital message, through a mesh network radio transceiver, directly with other mesh network radio transceivers, using a communication protocol which employs error correction, frequency hopping, and digital data encryption, over a plurality of different available communication frequencies;

communicating with a host device over a short range communication link;

communicating GPS coordinates between host device and the mesh network radio transceiver,

managing the communication protocol to control the error correction of the digital message, and a selection of the frequency hopping pattern of the mesh network radio transceiver;

receiving the multipacket series of digital packets of the digital message, comprising an encrypted message, error correction information, a target identifier, and a timestamp;

assembling contents of the encrypted message;

transmitting a signal confirming receipt of complete assembled contents of the encrypted message, without requiring decryption of the encrypted message;

sending the multipacket series of digital packets representing the encrypted message, the error correction information, the target identifier, and the timestamp; and

retransmitting digital packets of the multipacket series of digital packets until receipt of a signal confirming receipt of the respective digital packets or a timeout.

11. The method according to claim 10, said communicating GPS coordinates comprising communicating GPS coordinated from the host device to the mesh network radio transceiver.

12. The method according to claim 10, said communicating GPS coordinates comprising communicating GPS coordinated to the host device from the mesh network radio transceiver.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising conducting a public/private key exchange to define an encryption key for the multipacket series of digital packets.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising conducting a public/private key exchange to define a decryption key of the received multipacket series of digital packets.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

transmitting, receiving, and rebroadcasting ping messages through the mesh network radio transceiver; and

analyzing a respective ping message received from another mesh network radio transceiver to determine a position or distance of the mesh network radio transceiver from the other mesh network radio transceiver.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing therein instructions for controlling a hardware processor of a communication device, comprising:

instructions for communicating a multipacket series of digital packets of a digital message, through a mesh network radio transceiver, directly with other mesh network radio transceivers, using a communication protocol which employs error correction, frequency hopping, and digital data encryption, over a plurality of different available communication frequencies;

instructions for communicating with a host device over a short range communication link;

instructions for communicating GPS coordinates between host device and the mesh network radio transceiver,

instructions for managing the communication protocol to control the error correction of the digital message, and a selection of the frequency hopping pattern of the mesh network radio transceiver;

instructions for receiving the multipacket series of digital packets of the digital message, comprising an encrypted message, error correction information, a target identifier, and a timestamp;

instructions for assembling contents of the encrypted message;

instructions for transmitting a signal confirming receipt of complete assembled contents of the encrypted message, without requiring decryption of the encrypted message;

instructions for sending the multipacket series of digital packets representing the encrypted message, the error correction information, the target identifier, and the timestamp; and

instructions for retransmitting digital packets of the multipacket series of digital packets until receipt of a signal confirming receipt of the respective digital packets or a timeout.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 16, further comprising instructions for conducting a public/private key exchange to define a cryptographic key for the multipacket series of digital packets.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 16, further comprising instructions for communicating messages between the mesh network radio transceiver and the Internet.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 16, further comprising instructions for determining if the target identifier matches an identifier of the host device.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 16, further comprising:

instructions for

instructions for transmitting, receiving, and rebroadcasting ping messages through the mesh network radio transceiver; and

instructions for analyzing a respective ping message received from another mesh network radio transceiver to determine a position or distance of the mesh network radio transceiver from the other mesh network radio transceiver.