Method for transferring data from an unsecured computer to a secured computer

• US 5,703,562 A
• Filed: 11/20/1996
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Nilsen, Curt A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US08/753,130
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.14, 395/182.16, 359/110, 359/145, 359/152, 359/174, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/286.02, 340/825.34, 371/20.1, 371/30, 371/33, 371/34, 371/69.1, 371/68.2
• US Class Current: 340/286.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1625 in communications, e.g. transmission, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC

Abstract

A method is described for transferring data from an unsecured computer to a secured computer. The method includes transmitting the data and then receiving the data. Next, the data is retransmitted and rereceived. Then, it is determined if errors were introduced when the data was transmitted by the unsecured computer or received by the secured computer. Similarly, it is determined if errors were introduced when the data was retransmitted by the unsecured computer or rereceived by the secured computer. A warning signal is emitted from a warning device coupled to the secured computer if (i) an error was introduced when the data was transmitted or received, and (ii) an error was introduced when the data was retransmitted or rereceived.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data from an unsecured computer to a secured computer, the method comprising:

(a) transmitting the data;

(b) receiving the data;

(c) retransmitting the data;

(d) rereceiving the data;

(e) determining if an error was introduced when the data was transmitted by the unsecured computer or received by the secured computer;

(f) determining if an error was introduced when the data was retransmitted by the unsecured computer or rereceived by the secured computer; and

(g) emitting an warning signal from a warning device coupled to the secured computer if;

(i) an error was introduced when the data was transmitted or received, and

(ii) an error was introduced when the data was retransmitted or rereceived.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(h) storing the received data on a storage device coupled to the secured computer if an error was not introduced when the data was transmitted or received.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(h) storing the rereceived data on a storage device coupled to the secured computer if an error was not introduced when the data was retransmitted or rereceived.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted and retransmitted optically.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted and retransmitted by an IR LED.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted and retransmitted by a LASER.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(h) if an error was not introduced when either (i) the data was transmitted and received or (ii) when the data was retransmitted and rereceived, then emitting an audible signal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(g) transmitting a traffic summary to the secured computer.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(g) transmitting a traffic summary to the secured computer at predetermined intervals.

10. A secure transfer system comprising:

(a) an unsecured computer;

(b) a transmitter operatively coupled to the unsecured computer, the transmitter for transmitting and retransmitting data from the unsecured computer;

(c) a receiver for receiving data transmitted from the transmitter and for rereceiving data retransmitted from the transmitter; and

(d) a secured computer operatively coupled to the receiver, the secured computer having a warning device for emitting a warning signal if (i) an error was introduced when the data was transmitted or received and (2) an error was introduced when the data was retransmitted or rereceived.

11. The secure transfer system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is an optical transmitter.

12. The secure transfer system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter includes an IR LED.

13. The secure transfer system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter includes a LASER.

14. The secure transfer system of claim 10, wherein the warning device is an audible warning device.

15. The secure transfer system of claim 10, wherein the warning device is a speaker.