Secure access telephone extension system and method in a cordless telephone system

• US 5,852,785 A
• Filed: 04/29/1996
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Low Environ AG LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Phonex Broadband
• Inventors: Bartholomew, David B., Ivie, A. Ray, Schurig, Alma K.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/639,508
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 455/561, 370/18
• US Class Current: 455/561
• 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 secure access telephone communications system for transmitting and receiving telephone communications between a base unit and an extension unit, the system comprising:

(a) a base unit and an extension unit, said base and extension unit each comprising;

(i) means for sensing the operating status of said base and extension unit and its inputs from phone apparatus and lines;

(ii) means for generating a transmission carrier;

(iii) means for modulating said transmission carrier with audio and data signals;

(iv) means for controlling the transmission of audio, digital, telephone and rf signals out of said base and extension unit between subsystems, between base and extension units, between central office subscriber line and base unit and between extension unit and phone set;

(v) means for controlling said signals on the basis of data and other signals;

(vi) means for coupling said transmission carrier to a communications medium;

(b) means for coupling a subscriber telephone line to said base unit;

(c) means for coupling a phone apparatus to said extension unit.

3. A secure access telephone communications system as recited in claim 1 wherein said system control means further comprises means for sending control messages wherein the control messages comprise a synchronous byte, security keys and system control keys.

4. A secure access telephone communications system as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for receiving and demodulating control messages.

5. A secure access telephone communications system as recited in claim 3 further comprising means for discriminating control messages from audio and noise signals.

6. A secure access telephone communications system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling accessory apparatus to said extension unit includes means for coupling a phone set to said extension unit.

2. A secure access telephone communications system for transmitting and receiving telephone communications between a base unit and an extension unit, the system comprising:

(a) a base unit and an extension unit, said base and extension unit each comprising;

(i) means for sensing signals at the inputs of said base and extension unit and its inputs from phone apparatus and lines;

(ii) means for generating a transmission carrier;

(iii) means for modulating said transmission carrier with audio and data signals;

(iv) means for controlling the transmission of audio, digital, telephone and rf signals within and out of said base and extension unit between subsystems, between base and extension units, between central office subscriber line and base unit and between extension unit and phone set;

(v) system controller means operably connected to said input sensing and transmission controlling means for controlling said signals on the basis of data and other signals;

(vi) means for coupling said transmission carrier to a communications medium;

(b) means for coupling a subscriber telephone line to said base unit;

(c) means for coupling accessory apparatus to said extension unit.

7. A secure access telephone communications system for transmitting and receiving telephone communications between a base unit and an extension unit, the system comprising:

(a) a base unit and an extension unit, said base and extension unit each comprising;

(i) means for sensing the operating status of said base and extension unit and its inputs from phone apparatus and lines;

(ii) means for generating a transmission carrier;

(iii) means for modulating said transmission carrier with audio and data signals;

(iv) means for controlling the transmission of audio, digital, telephone and rf signals out of said base and extension unit between subsystems, between base and extension units, between central office subscriber line and base unit and between extension unit and phone set;

(v) means for controlling said signals on the basis of data and other signals;

(vi) means for coupling said transmission carrier to a communications medium;

(b) means for coupling a subscriber telephone line to said base unit;

(c) means for coupling a phone apparatus to said extension unit.