DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AD HOC WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

• US 20080247345A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ajang Bahar
• Original Assignee: Ajang Bahar
• Inventors: Bahar, Ajang
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The current options for wireless communication have changed the way people work and the way in which networks can be deployed. However, there remains unresolved problems in the setup and configuration of wireless communication links. Both known cellular and ad hoc wireless networking protocols and systems are deficient in that the ability for users to communicate without a priori knowledge of MAC addresses (represented by phone numbers, IP addresses and the like) is limited or may be compromised in a hostile environment. In contrast, provided by aspects of the present invention are devices, systems and methods for establishing ad hoc wireless communication between users that do not necessarily have MAC addresses and the like for one another. In some embodiments, a first user visually selects a second user and points a coherent light beam at an electronic device employed by the second user. Data specific to the first user is modulated on the coherent light beam, which can then be demodulated when the coherent light beam is received by the electronic device of the second user.

Claims

1. A device for remotely establishing data communication between two electronic devices, the device comprising:

a device interface, the device interface having a first output and a first input, wherein the first output is connectable to a camera mount controller to provide a control signal for directing the operation of the camera mount controller, and wherein the first input is connectable to receive a data input from a remote user;

an optical modem for transmitting data on a coherent light beam;

a memory for storing data within the device; and

a controller connectable to the optical modem, the memory and the data interface, the controller having computer program product including computer usable program code for transmitting data from the device to a second device, the computer usable program code including program instructions for;

parsing signals received by the device through the device interface;

determining whether a signal received is for directing the operation of the camera mount controller or initiating communication with a second device;

if the signal received is for directing the operation of the camera mount controller, transmitting a control signal for directing the operation of a camera mount controller; and

if the signal received is for initiating communication with the second device, retreiving data specific to the device from the memory, modulating the selected data onto a coherent light beam with the optical modem.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the computer usable program code further comprises:

initially transmitting an unmodulated coherent light beam for a first duration to allow a user to aim the coherent light at the second device;

and transmitting the selected data from the optical modem after the first duration.

3. A device according to claim 21, wherein the camera is further connectable to receive data signals from the network connection.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the network connection is one of an ethernet connection, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and a wireless modem.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the camera is integral with the device and internally connectable to the device interface.

6. A device according to claim 21, further comprising a camera mount controller serving as an interface for a mechanical system for positioning the device so as to direct the field of view of the camera and a coherent light beam transmitted from the optical modem, wherein the path of the coherent light beam represents a data path between the device and a target selected by the user.

7. A device according to claim 6, further comprising a movable camera mount serving as the mechanical system for positioning the device.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the selected data modulated onto the coherent light beam is one of a text message, a phone number, an email address, a Media access Control (MAC) address suitable for a wireless communication link and a wireless session identifier.

21. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera, the camera having a network connection to provide real-time video data to a user through the network connection.

9. A system for remotely establishing data communication between two electronic devices, the system comprising:

a device having;

a device interface, the device interface having a first output and a first input, wherein the first output is connectable to a camera mount controller to provide a control signal for directing the operation of the camera mount controller, and wherein the first input is connectable to receive a data input from a remote user;

an optical modem for transmitting data on a coherent light beam;

a memory for storing data within the device; and

a controller connectable to the optical modem, the memory and the data interface, the controller having computer program product including computer usable program code for transmitting data from the device to a second device, the computer usable program code including program instructions for;

parsing signals received by the device through the device interface;

determining whether a signal received is for directing the operation of the camera mount controller or initiating communication with a second device;

if the signal received is for directing the operation of the camera mount controller, transmitting a control signal for directing the operation of a camera mount controller; and

if the signal received is for initiating communication with the second device, retreiving data specific to the device from the memory, modulating the selected data onto a coherent light beam with the optical modem.

10. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a user device remotely connected to the device through a data network, the user device having a display for displaying real-time video data captured by a camera associated with the device, and the user device having an interface enabling a user to control the operation of at least the device remotely through the data network.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the data network includes at least one of the internet, a private data network, a wireless network, and an optical fiber data network.

12. A device comprising:

a coherent light receiver for receiving coherent light from a second device;

a wireless modem suitable for transmitting data over a radio communication link;

a controller connectable to the coherent light receiver and the wireless modem, the controller having computer program product including computer usable program code for receiving data through the coherent light receiver and communicating with other devices using the wireless modem, the computer usable program code including program instructions for;

determining whether the light is unmodulated or modulated;

if the light is modulated, demodulating the modulated light to recover the data modulated thereon;

deciphering the data to determine an intended purpose; and

transmitting the data over a radio communication link using the wireless modem.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein upon deciphering the data the intended purpose is determined to be a request for information and the computer usable program code having further instructions for attempting to provide the requested data.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein attempting to provide the requested data includes searching a local database to find the data and transmitting the information to the requester using the wireless modem.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein attempting to provide the requested data includes transmitting a signal to a remote server using the wireless modem, the signal representing a request for information to be transmitted to the requester directly.

16. A device according to claim 12, wherein upon deciphering the data the intended purpose is determined to be a request for at least one of a protected article or data and the computer usable program code includes program instructions for validating the requester.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the program instructions for validating the requester comprise:

parsing the demodulated data for an authentication key;

determining if the authentication key is valid; and

if the authentication key is valid, providing the requester with the requested information or access to the article.

18. A device according to claim 17, further comprising a lock box for storing an article, the lock box having a lockable door, and the lock box connectable to the controller for controlling the lockable door.

19. A device according to claim 18, further comprising a user interface for entering an access code or password in order to open the lockable door, the user interface connected to the controller, the controller having computer usable program code having program instructions for determining if an entered accessed code or password is valid;

and if valid, sending a signal to the lock box to unlock the lockable door.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the access code or password is provided to a requester over a radio communication link using the wireless modem if the requester has a valid authentication key and has transmitted said key to the device using a modulated coherent light beam.