Quantum cryptographic key distribution networks with untrusted switches
First Claim
1. A method of securely transmitting light information in a network along a path comprised of a plurality of untrusted network devices, said untrusted network devices comprising a plurality of switching devices, and said method comprising:
- sending at least one setup message to one of said network devices;
based on said setup message, configuring at least one of said network devices to direct said light along said path to a terminal endpoint using at least one of said switching devices, whereby a configured path is established;
sending a plurality of pulses of said light along said configured path, said pulses having a first set of randomly selected quantum bases; and
measuring a quantum state of said light pulses using a second set of randomly selected quantum bases, thereby providing a measured quantum state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed in which information is securely transmitted in a network comprising untrusted network devices. Setup messages are sent to a networking device, and based on the setup messages, light directing devices are configured to direct light along a path from an origin endpoint to a terminal endpoint, thus providing a path through the network. Through the path, a stream of light information is sent using a plurality of light pulses to carry out quantum-cryptographic key distribution.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of securely transmitting light information in a network along a path comprised of a plurality of untrusted network devices, said untrusted network devices comprising a plurality of switching devices, and said method comprising:
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sending at least one setup message to one of said network devices; based on said setup message, configuring at least one of said network devices to direct said light along said path to a terminal endpoint using at least one of said switching devices, whereby a configured path is established; sending a plurality of pulses of said light along said configured path, said pulses having a first set of randomly selected quantum bases; and measuring a quantum state of said light pulses using a second set of randomly selected quantum bases, thereby providing a measured quantum state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable medium containing instructions capable of causing at least one digital computer to securely transmit light information in a network along a path comprised of a plurality of untrusted network devices, said untrusted networking devices comprising a plurality of switching devices, said computer-readable medium comprising:
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program code for sending at least one setup message to one of said network devices; program code for configuring at least one of said network devices to direct said light along said path to a terminal endpoint using at least one of said switching devices based on said setup message, whereby a configured path is established; program code for sending a plurality of bits using pulses of said light along said configured path, said pulses having a first set of randomly selected quantum bases; and program code for measuring a quantum state of said light pulses using a second set of randomly selected quantum bases. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A system in which light information is securely transmitted in a network along a path comprised of a plurality of untrusted network devices, said plurality of untrusted network devices comprising a plurality of switching devices, said system comprising:
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an electrical controller for controlling at least one of said switching devices, wherein said electrical controller orients said at least one switching device to direct optical energy along said path based on at least one setup message received by the electrical controller, wherein said at least one of said switching devices is configured to be oriented into at least two positions; a light sending apparatus configured to send quantum-cryptographic light pulses along said path; and a light measuring apparatus configured to observe said quantum-cryptographic light pulses. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. Apparatus operational with light and with a polarized light pulse originating from an upstream source and terminating with a downstream destination, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one means for directing quantum cryptographic light pulses; means for orienting said directing means into at least two orientations; and means for controlling said at least one directing means, wherein said controlling means is configured to, prior to receipt of quantum cryptographic light pulses, receive at least one setup message for configuring said directing means, and for causing said orienting means to orient the directing means in accordance with the setup message into an orientation that directs said quantum cryptographic light pulses from said upstream source to said downstream destination, forming a path from an origin endpoint to a terminal endpoint.
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Specification