System for authenticating remotely generated optical control signals

• US 20060143451A1
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tomar Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tomar Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Sikora, Scott T., Conley, William H. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/112 Line-of-sight transmission over an extended range
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication

Abstract

An authentication system authenticates remotely generated optical control signals. A remote optical emitter transmits an optical control signal from a remote location. A remote authentication device collocated with the remote optical emitter receives an authentication challenge signal and transmits a compatible authentication response signal. A control optical signal processor positioned at a first location receives the optical control signal from the remote optical emitter and generates a control output signal in response to detection of a valid optical control signal. An authentication device is coupled by a real time data communications link with the optical signal processor and with the remote optical emitter. The control authentication device receives the control output signal from the optical processor, transmits the authentication challenge signal to the remote authentication device in response to receipt of the control output signal and generates an authenticated control output signal in response to receipt of a valid authentication response signal from the remote authentication device.

Claims

1. An authentication system for authenticating remotely generated optical control signals, comprising:

a. a remote optical emitter for transmitting an optical control signal from a remote location;

b. a remote authentication device collocated with the remote optical emitter for receiving an authentication challenge signal and for transmitting a compatible authentication response signal;

c. an optical signal processor positioned at a first location for receiving the optical control signal from the remote optical emitter and for generating a control output signal in response to detection of a valid optical control signal; and

d. a control authentication device coupled by a real time data communications link with the optical signal processor and with the remote optical emitter for receiving the control output signal from the optical signal processor, for transmitting the authentication challenge signal to the remote authentication device in response to receipt of the control output signal and for generating an authenticated control output signal in response to receipt of a valid authentication response signal from the remote authentication device.

2. The authentication system of claim 1 wherein the remote optical emitter is mounted on a vehicle and wherein the authenticated control output signal is coupled to a preemption input of a traffic controller.

3. The authentication system of claim 2 wherein the traffic controller controls the operation of at least one traffic control signal head aimed in a first direction.

4. The authentication system of claim 3, wherein the optical signal processor further includes an optical signal detector.

5. The authentication system of claim 4 wherein the optical signal detector includes a directional optical input port configured to receive optical signals emitted from a single direction relative to the traffic control signal head.

6. The authentication system of claim 5 wherein the authentication device is collocated with the optical signal processor.

7. The authentication system of claim 2 wherein the data communications link includes a first RF transceiver collocated with the optical signal processor and a second RF transceiver collocated with the remote optical emitter.

8. The authentication system of claim 2 wherein the data communications link includes a first cellular modem collocated with the optical signal processor and a second cellular modem collocated with the remote optical emitter.

9. The authentication system of claim 1 wherein the data exchanged over the data communications link represents encrypted digital data.

10. The authentication system of claim 9 wherein the encrypted digital data is calculated based on a SHA-1hash methodology.

11. The authentication system of claim 9 wherein the digital data incorporated in the authentication response signal is generated by a microcontroller collocated with the remote optical emitter.

12. The authentication system of claim 11 wherein the encrypted digital data incorporated in the authentication challenge signal is generated by a microcontroller collocated with the optical signal processor.

13. The authentication system of claim 2 wherein the remote optical emitter transmits a coded optical control signal which uniquely identifies the vehicle.

14. The authentication system of claim 13 wherein the data communication system includes a cellular data system and wherein the authentication device is positioned at a second location and is coupled to exchange data with the first and second cellular modems.

15. The authentication system of claim 14 further including a GPS receiver for transmitting vehicle location data via the second cellular modem to the authentication device.

16. The authentication system of claim 13 wherein the codes assigned to emergency vehicles are given a high preemption priority and wherein the codes assigned to transit vehicles are given a lower preemption priority.

17. A method for authenticating remotely generated optical control signals comprising the steps of:

a. generating an optical control signal at a remote location;

b. receiving the optical control signal at a first location and generating a control output signal in response to detection of a valid optical control signal;

c. transmitting an authentication challenge signal to the remote location from the first location in response to receipt of the control output signal;

d. receiving the authentication challenge signal at the remote location and transmitting a corresponding authentication response signal to the first location; and

e. receiving the corresponding authentication response signal at the first location, validating the authentication response signal, and generating an authenticated control output signal in response to detection of a valid authentication response signal.