Secure access telephone extension system and method

• US 5,530,737 A
• Filed: 03/22/1993
• Issued: 06/25/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Low Environ AG LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Phonex Broadband Corp.
• Inventors: Bartholomew, David B., Ivie, A. Ray, Schurig, Alma K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chernoff, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US08/034,086
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 379/66, 379/63, 379/62, 340/310 CP, 340/310 A, 340/310 R, 307/1, 307/2, 307/3, 307/4, 307/5, 189/188, 370/60
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/71 Substation extension arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/609 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 9/027 Frequency division multiplex systems

Abstract

A method and system is provided for conducting secure power line carrier communications in full duplex over the power lines of a building. Power line carrier current telephone extension systems utilize 1) a single BASE unit per central office line (for interfacing line carrier signals with the central office line) and 2) one or more EXTENSION units, one for each extension phone set (for interfacing said line carrier signals with said extension phone sets). The method employs system control logic for providing A) multiple extension arbitration logic, B) privacy from eavesdropping and C) security from third party central office line capture by means of a digital messaging system in each base and extension unit utilizing a unique and matching security key (preamble) with each message instructing the system to change operating states, such as, A) during a conversation an extension unit may be put on hold so that a second matching extension can pick up the line, B) a base unit rings matching extension units to signal an incoming call or C) an outgoing call is initiated by a user taking a matching extension phone off hook to access the central office line. Matching of the random security codes may be initiated by the user. By this means unauthorized access to the central office line (especially for long distance calls) and eavesdropping by other users in the same building with similar line carrier telephone extension products is prohibited.

Claims

1. A method for secure access in a telephone extension system, said telephone extension system having:

a base unit, comprising;

means for coupling to a subscriber telephone line;

means for communications with one or more extension units; and

means for generating a random security key;

and at least one extension unit, comprising;

means for communications with said base unit; and

means for storing a security key;

the method comprising the steps of;

said base unit generating a random security key;

said extension unit requesting a copy of said random security key from said base unit;

said base unit returning a copy of said random security key to said extension unit only if said request from said extension unit is made within a predetermined time of said generating of said random security key; and

said extension unit storing said random security key in said storage means.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

said extension unit transmitting a copy of said random security key stored in said storage means before any communications with said base unit; and

said base unit allowing said communications with said extension unit only if said copy of said security key matches said random security key.

3. A method as in claim 1, said base unit further comprising:

means for initiating said generating of a random security key, operable by a user of said telephone extension system;

and said step of generating a random security key occurs when said means for initiating said generating a random security key is operated by a user.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein said means for initiating said generating of a random security key is a button on said base unit.

5. A method as in claim 1, said extension unit further comprising:

means for initiating said requesting a copy of said random security key, operable by a user of said telephone extension system;

and said step of requesting a copy of said random security key occurs when said means for initiating said requesting a copy of said random security key is operated by a user.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said means for initiating said requesting a copy of said random security key is a button on said extension unit.

7. A base unit for a telephone extension system, said telephone extension system having said base unit and at least one extension unit, said base unit comprising:

means for coupling to a subscriber telephone line;

means for communications with one or more extension units;

means for generating a random security key;

means for receiving a request from an extension unit for a copy of said random security key; and

means for returning a copy of said random security key to said extension unit only if said request from said extension unit is made within a predetermined time of said generating of said random security key.

8. A base unit as in claim 7, further comprising:

means for allowing communications with said extension unit only if said extension unit has transmitted a copy of said random security key.

9. A base unit as in claim 7, further comprising:

means for initiating said generating a random security key, operable by a user of said telephone extension system.

10. A base unit as in claim 9, wherein said means for initiating said generating of a random security key is a button on said base unit.

11. An extension unit for a telephone extension system, said telephone extension system having a base unit and said extension unit, said extension unit comprising:

means for communications with said base unit; and

means for storing a security key;

means for requesting a copy of a random security key from said base unit, and said base unit returning a copy of said random security key to said extension unit only if said request from said extension unit is made within a predetermined time after said base unit generates said random security key; and

means for storing said random security key.

12. An extension unit as in claim 11, further comprising:

means for transmitting a copy of said stored random security key before any communications with said base unit, and said base unit allowing said communications with said extension unit only if said copy of said security key matches said random security key.

13. An extension unit as in claim 11, further comprising:

means for initiating said requesting a copy of said random security key, operable by a user of said telephone extension system.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein said means for initiating said requesting a copy of said random security key is a button on said extension unit.