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Enabling emergency access to secure wireless communications networks

  • US 9,654,980 B2
  • Filed: 09/30/2016
  • Issued: 05/16/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:

  • a memory storing an encrypted key repository that stores a universal encryption key (UEK) and a public safety encryption key (PSKey) associated with the UEK that enables public safety personnel to access a secure private wireless communications (PWC) network, wherein the UEK is a key established by a certificate authority separate from the system;

    one or more processors configured to execute a PWC controller module, an authentication module, a PWC network gateway application module, and an alert module;

    the PWC controller module configured to control one or more wireless transceivers for accessing the secure PWC network and communicating with a user wireless device of the public safety personnel;

    the authentication module coupled to the PWC controller module and configured to determine whether a PSKey received from the user wireless device, via the one or more wireless transceivers, by comparing the received PSKEY to the stored PSKey which is associated with the UEK stored in the encrypted key repository;

    the PWC network gateway application module coupled to the PWC controller module and the authentication module, and configured to communicatively connect the user device to the secure PWC network upon a determination that the received PSKey is associated with the stored UEK; and

    the alert module configured to activate a public safety mode of the system that initiates authentication procedures to enable the user wireless device to immediately access the secure PWC network upon receiving information indicating an emergency,wherein the authentication module is further configured to request additional information from a user operating the user wireless device to validate the identity of the user of the user wireless device requesting access to the secure PWC network, andwherein the additional information is received from a separate device, module, or application comprising a common access card, a personal identification card-reader verification system, a visual or biometric identification system, or a token verification system.

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