System and method for providing extension of network coverage

• US 9,398,467 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Schultz, Paul T., Barfield, James Ronald Jr., Willis, Todd M., Sartini, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Siddiqui, Kashif
• Application Number:
  US14/478,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20160073271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

An approach is provided for causing an extension of secure emergency network resources via one or more trusted point of presence. The approach involves determining a networking context, wherein the networking context initiates a request to join an extension mesh network to a currently trusted network. The approach also involves determining a target network trust level associated with the networking context, the currently trusted network, or a combination thereof. The approach further involves selecting the extension mesh network based on the target network trust level. The approach also involves initiating a joining of the extension mesh network to the currently trusted network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a networking context, wherein the networking context initiates a request to join an extension mesh network to a currently trusted network;

determining a target network trust level associated with the networking context, the currently trusted network, or a combination thereof;

selecting the extension mesh network based on the target network trust level; and

initiating a joining of the extension mesh network to the currently trusted network,

wherein the networking context includes an emergency context.

19. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying at least one of the one or more nodes in a communication path traversing the extension mesh network; and

calculating a communication path trust level for the communication path based on the trust level.

2. A method comprising:

determining a networking context, wherein the networking context initiates a request to join an extension mesh network to a currently trusted network;

determining a target network trust level associated with the networking context, the currently trusted network, or a combination thereof;

selecting the extension mesh network based on the target network trust level; and

initiating a joining of the extension mesh network to the currently trusted network,

wherein the extension mesh network is provided via one or more vehicles, and wherein the one or more vehicles include one or more aerial vehicles, one or more terrestrial vehicle, or a combination thereof.

3. A method of claim 2, further comprising:

initiating a progressive triangulation to determine a location to navigate the one or more vehicles to provide the extension mesh network.

4. A method of claim 2, further comprising:

initiating a deployment of the one or more vehicles based on a hierarchy related to networking capability information, resource availability information, mobility information, or a combination thereof associated with the one or more vehicles.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the network context includes an emergency context, and wherein the one or more vehicles are dynamically deployed to a location corresponding to the emergency.

5. A method comprising:

determining a networking context, wherein the networking context initiates a request to join an extension mesh network to a currently trusted network;

determining a target network trust level associated with the networking context, the currently trusted network, or a combination thereof;

selecting the extension mesh network based on the target network trust level;

initiating a joining of the extension mesh network to the currently trusted network; and

calculating a trust level for the extension mesh network, one or more nodes of the extension mesh network, one or more links between the one or more nodes, or a combination thereof based on one or more network trust factors,

wherein the selecting of the extension mesh network is based on a comparison of the trust level against the target network trust level.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein the one or more network trust factors include a number of network hops from the currently trusted network, a location, a network type, a number of peer connections, whether the one or more nodes are known, whether the extension mesh network is known, a communication history, or a combination thereof.

7. A method of claim 5, further comprising:

encoding the trust level as a trust token; and

propagating the trust token to a token trust authority of the extension mesh network,

wherein the token trust authority is selected from among the one or more nodes of the extension mesh network.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein the token trust authority generates another trust token for a subsequent token trust authority selected in the extension mesh network, another extension mesh network, or a combination thereof;

and propagates the another trust token to the subsequent token trust authority.

9. A method of claim 8, further comprising:

using a transitive scheme for comparing the trust level, the trust token, the another trust token, or a combination thereof among the token trust authority, the subsequent token trust authority, the one or more nodes, or a combination thereof.

10. A method of claim 7, further comprising:

identifying at least one of the one or more nodes in a communication path traversing the extension mesh network; and

calculating a communication path trust level for the communication path based on the trust level, the trust token, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one of the one or more nodes.

11. A method of claim 5, further comprising:

monitoring the extension mesh network for a change to a network topology, the one or more nodes, the one or more links, or a combination thereof; and

updating the trust level based on the change.

12. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

determine a networking context, wherein the networking context initiates a request to join an extension mesh network to a currently trusted network;

determine a target network trust level associated with the networking context, the currently trusted network, or a combination thereof;

select the extension mesh network based on the target network trust level; and

initiate a joining of the extension mesh network to the currently trusted network,

wherein the extension mesh network is provided via one or more vehicles, and wherein the one or more vehicles include one or more aerial vehicles, one or more terrestrial vehicle, or a combination thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the network context includes an emergency context, and wherein the one or more vehicles are dynamically deployed to a location corresponding to the emergency.

22. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

encode the trust level as a trust token; and

propagate the trust token to a token trust authority of the extension mesh network,

wherein the token trust authority is selected from among the one or more nodes of the extension mesh network.

23. An apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to:

use a transitive scheme for comparing the trust level, the trust token, the another trust token, or a combination thereof among the one or more nodes.

13. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

determine a networking context, wherein the networking context initiates a request to join an extension mesh network to a currently trusted network;

determine a target network trust level associated with the networking context, the currently trusted network, or a combination thereof;

select the extension mesh network based on the target network trust level;

initiate a joining of the extension mesh network to the currently trusted network; and

calculate a trust level for the extension mesh network, one or more nodes of the extension mesh network, one or more links between the one or more nodes, or a combination thereof based on one or more network trust factors,

wherein the selecting of the extension mesh network is based on a comparison of the calculated trust level against the target network trust level.

14. An apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more network trust factors include a number of network hops from the currently trusted network, a location, a network type, a number of peer connections, whether the one or more nodes are known, whether the extension mesh network is known, a communication history, or a combination thereof.

15. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

encode the trust level as a trust token; and

propagate the trust token to a token trust authority of the extension mesh network,

wherein the token trust authority is selected from among the one or more nodes of the extension mesh network.

16. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the token trust authority generates another trust token for a subsequent token trust authority selected in the extension mesh network, another extension mesh network, or a combination thereof;

and propagates the another trust token to the subsequent token trust authority.

17. An apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to:

use a transitive scheme for comparing the trust level, the trust token, the another trust token, or a combination thereof among the token trust authority, the subsequent token trust authority, the one or more nodes, or a combination thereof.

18. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify at least one of the one or more nodes in a communication path traversing the extension mesh network; and

calculate a communication path trust level for the communication path based on the trust level score, the trust token, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one of the one or more nodes.