System, method and apparatus for secure transmission of confidential information

• US 6,901,241 B2
• Filed: 01/15/1999
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Björndahl, Per
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Pablo N.
• Application Number:
  US09/232,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,328 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/39, 455/103, 455/74, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/127.4, 455/550.1, 455/15, 455/57, 455/134, 455/303, 455/603, 455/127, 455/352, 455/67.4, 455/67.7, 455/226.1, 455/226.4, 455/38.1, 455/38.2, 455/228, 455/229, 455/277.1, 455/277.2, 370/339, 370/468, 370/277, 370/310, 370/335, 359/172, 359/152, 359/145, 359/155, 359/158, 398/135, 398106-107, 398115-118, 340/825.94
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• 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: H04L 9/14 using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for establishing a secure wireless radio communications link between two devices that minimizes the exposure of sensitive information to third party interception is disclosed. The secure link is established by first establishing an infrared link between the two devices for the exchange of sensitive information, such as encryption information. Subsequent communications would then have the benefit of encryption protection, establishing the secure wireless radio communications link.

Claims

1. A communications system for secure wireless communications, said communications system comprising:

a first device having transceiving means therein for communicating in a first and a second communication mode;

a second device, in wireless communication with said first device, said first and second devices wirelessly communicating in said first communication mode using an infrared signal and in said second communication mode using a radiofrequency signal;

wherein said first and second devices transceive a plurality of messages therebetween in said second communication mode;

wherein, prior to transceiving a security message therebetween, said first and second devices switch transceiving to said first communication mode, and transmit said security message in said first communication mode;

wherein, upon said second device switching said transceiving to said first communication mode, said second device transmits an infrared request message to said first device.

2. The communications system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second devices, upon completion of the transceiving of said security message, switch transceiving therebetween to said second communication mode.

3. The communications system according to claim 1, wherein said security message comprises a plurality of encryption keys for the subsequent encryption of a plurality of said messages transceived in said second communication mode.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first device, upon receipt of said infrared request message, transmits said security message to said second device.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein said security message comprises a plurality of encryption keys for the subsequent encryption of a plurality of said messages transceived in said second communication mode.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said transceiving means within said first device comprises:

infrared transceiving means for transceiving infrared signals with said second device in said first communications mode;

radiofrequency transceiving means for transceiving radiofrequency signals with said second device in said second communications mode; and

switching means for switching between said infrared and radiofrequency transceiving means.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein said infrared transceiving means comprises:

a photodetector for receiving said infrared signals from said second device; and

an infrared emitter for transmitting said infrared signals to said second device.

8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said second device comprises a transceiving means therein, said transceiving means within said second device comprising:

infrared transceiving means for transceiving said infrared signals with said first device in said first communications mode;

radiofrequency transceiving means for transceiving said radiofrequency signals with said first device in said second communications mode; and

switching means for switching between said infrared and radiofrequency transceiving means.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein said infrared transceiving means within said second device comprises:

a photodetector for receiving said infrared signals from said first device; and

an infrared emitter for transmitting said infrared signals to said first device.

10. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said communication system is a cordless system.

11. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second devices are each selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephones, home base stations, SIM cards, headsets, computers, printers, plotters, projectors, facsimile devices, pagers, data organizers, computer terminals, scanners, microphones, PC cards, televisions, radios, stereos, VCRs, light devices, dimmers, thermostats, doors, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, washers, dryers, answering machines, home alarms, car alarms, and other peripheral and portable devices.

12. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second devices communicate on a radiofrequency band ranging from about 2.4 GHz to about 2.483 GHz.

13. The communication system according to claim 12, wherein said band is at about 2.45 GHz.

14. A transceiving device for secure wireless communications in a communications system, said device comprising:

radiofrequency transceiving means for transceiving a plurality of radiofrequency transmissions within said communications system; and

infrared transceiving means for transceiving a plurality of infrared transmissions within said communications system;

wherein said transceiving device switches transceiving from said radiofrequency transceiving means to said infrared transceiving means prior to the transmission of an infrared security message within said communications system; and

wherein, upon said transceiving device switching transceiving to said infrared transceiving means, said transceiving device transmits an infrared request message to a second transceiving device.

15. The transceiving device according to claim 14, wherein said infrared transceiving means comprises:

a photodetector for receiving said infrared transmissions; and

an infrared emitter for transmitting said infrared transmissions.

16. The transceiving device according to claim 15, wherein said infrared emitter comprises a light-emitting diode.

17. The transceiving device according to claim 14, wherein, after the transmission of said infrared security message, said transceiving device switches transceiving to said radiofrequency transceiving means.

18. The transceiving device according to claim 14, wherein said infrared security transmission comprises a plurality of encryption keys for the subsequent encryption of a plurality of said radiofrequency transmissions between said transceiving device and said communications system.

19. The transceiving device according to claim 14, wherein said transceiving devices are each selected from the group consisting of:

mobile telephones, home base stations, SIM cards, headsets, computers, printers, plotters, projectors, facsimile devices, pagers, data organizers, computer terminals, scanners, microphones, PC cards, televisions, radios, stereos, VCRs, light devices, dimmers, thermostats, doors, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, washers, dryers, answering machines, home alarms, car alarms, and other peripheral and portable devices.

20. The transceiving device according to claim 14, wherein said first and second devices communicate on a radiofrequency band ranging from about 2.4 GHz to about 2.483 GHz.

21. The transceiving device according to claim 20, wherein said band is at about 2.45 GHz.