Secure packet radio network
AssigneeIWICS Inc.
InventorsMark Sievert Larsen, James David Larsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A packet radio network comprises at least one network operator station and a number of user stations. The user stations transmit message data to one another, either directly or via intermediate stations. When stations are first activated, they transmit key request messages to the network operator station. Other, authenticated stations in the network will not communicate with the new station, but will pass the key request message to the network operator station. The network operator station transmits the necessary keys back to the new station via the other stations to permit the new station to operate. Each user station transmits key probe signals from time to time which advise other stations of its public key.
Claims16
A method of operating a network comprising a network operator station and plurality of user stations, the method comprising:
- generating at least one key required for use by
- a plurality of user stations in the network,
- the at least one key being necessary for
- the authentication of the user station;
- wherein any one of the plurality of user stations are capable of being an intermediate user station;
- transmitting to the network operator station, from a first user station requiring a key,
- a key request message containing
- first status data indicative that
- the key request message originates from
- a user station lacking a key;
- transmitting, from the network operator station to the first user station,
- a key data message containing
- a key for use by the first user station and
- second status data corresponding to
- the first status data and
- identifying the key data message as
- a response to a key request message;
- wherein any two user stations are capable of transmitting a key data message to each other
- through one or more intermediate user stations, and
- wherein any user station
- acting as an intermediate user station and
- receiving the key data message
- analyzes the received key data message to determine whether
- the received key data message,
- contains the second status data, and
- forwards the key data message to the first user station if
- the second status data thereof identifies the key data message as
- a response to a key request message.
A network comprising;
- a network operator station;
- and
- a plurality of user stations adapted to
- transmit message data to one another,
- via intermediate user stations,
- wherein any one of the plurality of user stations are capable of being an intermediate user station;
- wherein any two user stations are capable of transmitting a key data message to each other
- through one or more intermediate user stations, and
- each user station comprising;
- a transceiver for
- sending data to and
- receiving data from other stations in the network;
- and processor means for;
- (a) generating a key request message for transmission to the network operator station, the key request message containing
- first status data indicative that the message originates from
- a first user station lacking a key, the key being necessary for the authentication of the user stations;
- and
- (b) receiving a key data message from the network operator station, the key data message containing
- a key for use by the first user station and
- second status data corresponding to
- the first status data and
- identifying the key data message as
- a response to a key request message,
- the network operating such that any two user stations are capable of transmitting a key data message to each other
- through one or more intermediate user stations, and
- such that any user station
- acting as an intermediate user station and
- receiving the key data message
- analyzes the received key data message to determine whether
- the received key data message
- contains the second status data, and
- forwards the key data message to the first user station if
- the second status data thereof identifies it as
- a response to a key request message, thereby to enable the first user station to communicate with other stations in the network.
A user station adapted for use in a network, the network comprising a network operator station and a plurality of user stations adapted to transmit message data to one another via intermediate user stations,
- the user station comprising;
- a transceiver for
- sending data to and
- receiving data from other stations in the network;
- token reader means for reading identification data from a secure token associated with a user;
- and
- processor means for;
- (a) generating a key request message for transmission to the network operator station, the key request message containing
- first status data indicative that the message originates from
- a first user station lacking a key, the key being necessary for the authentication of the user stations;
- and
- (b) receiving a key data message from the network operator station, the key data message containing
- a key for use by the first user station and
- second status data corresponding to
- the first status data and
- identifying the key data message as
- a response to a key request message,
- the network operating such that any two user stations are capable of transmitting a key data message to each other
- through one or more intermediate user stations, and
- such that any user station
- acting as an intermediate user station and
- receiving the key data message
- analyzes the received key data message to determine whether
- the received key data message
- contains the second status data, and
- forwards the key data message to the first user station if
- the second status data thereof identifies it as
- a response to a key request message, thereby to enable the first user station to communicate with other stations in the network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.