Communications recorder having a unique identification code and secure method and apparatus for changing same

• US 4,888,652 A
• Filed: 09/17/1987
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nice Systems Incorporated (Nice Ltd)
• Original Assignee: Dictaphone Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Sander, Willy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canney, Vincent P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fournier, Kevin J.
• Application Number:
  US07/097,903
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 235/382.5, 235/380, 360/5, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 380/23, 380/24, 380/30, 380/25, 380/47, 902/2
• US Class Current: 360/5
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/00 Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function driving or guiding heads G11B3/00 - G11B7/00, G11B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656

Abstract

A multichannel communications recorder or logger. The recorder is formed from modular elements which may be configured into a large number of selectable configurations. In each configuration one or more record decks is controlled by a control module which includes a system control microprocessor and a CRT control microprocessor. Control is provided by a user selecting to implement functions defined in accordance with a particular page displayed. Access to various pages is controlled by various levels of passwords with the highest level being used by a service person and lower levels being provided to users of the system. Because of the need to provide physical security for recorded tapes, each tape deck is provided with a door secured by an electro-mechanical lock. Because of the need to maintain continuous monitoring in many applications, the system is provided with the capability to be configured in configurations providing back-up for selected channels. Also, since each record deck is provided with a local controller in the event of a failure of communications with the system controller, a local controller may initiate transfer to a back-up record deck using a hardwired connection. The communications recorder of the subject invention also records a time code and a unique machine code identification number on each tape. The machine code may be changed through use of a unique one-time password obtained by a service person from the system manufacturer.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring signals received on at least one channel, comprising:

(a) recording means for recording said signals from each of said channels on changeable media;

(b) means for recording a unique system identification code on said media with said signals;

(c) means responsive to an entered password for changing said identification code, said changing means being responsive to a particular password once and only once.

2. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said password is based on a secure algorithm unknown to users of said system.

3. A system as described in claim 2 wherein said algorithm generates successive particular passwords based on input of a time, date and the current system identification code.

4. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said system will only respond to said particular password only for a predetermined time from the date and time used to generate said particular password.

5. A system as described in claim 4 wherein said algorithm means is in the possession of a third party, said third party providing said users with said particular password upon receipt of date, time and current identification code, whereby said third party may maintain a record of changes in said system identification code.

6. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said algorithm means is in the possession of a third party, said third party providing said users with said particular password upon receipt of date, time and current identification code, whereby said third party may maintain a record of changes in said system identification code.

7. A system as described in claim 6 wherein said recording means includes tape recorder means for recording each of said signals on separate tape channels and wherein said identification code is recorded on a selected tape channel.

8. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said recording means further includes means for combining a guard tone with each of said signals prior to recording of said signal and said identification code is recorded by modulating said guard tone for recording on said selected channel.

9. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said recording means includes tape recorder means for recording each of said signals on separate tape channels and wherein said identification code is recorded on a selected tape channel.

11. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said system further comprises clock means for generating a code representative of said current time and periodically recording said time code with said identification code.

12. A system as described in claim 11 wherein said particular password is generated by a secure algorithm operating on input of time, date and the current system identification code, and said system will only respond to said particular password only for a predetermined time, measured with respect to said time code, from the date and time used to generate said particular password.

10. A system as described in claim 10 wherein said recording means further includes means for combining a guard tone with each of said signals prior to recording of said signal and said identification code is recorded by modulating said guard tone.

13. A method for changing a unique system identification code comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a second party with the current system identification code and additional information

(b) receiving from said second party a one-time password derived by a secure algorithm operating on said current system identification code and additional information;

(c) entering said password to enable change of said current system identification code; and

,

(d) wherein said system generates a time code representative of the current time and date and said additional information is based on said time code.

14. A method as described in claim 13 wherein said password must be entered within a predetermined period of time as measured from the time determined by said additional information.

15. A method as described in claim 14 wherein said system is a system for monitoring signals received on at least one channel.