# US 8,543,098 B2 · Apparatus and method for securely providing communications between devices and networks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,098 B2 - Document ID: US8543098B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/639,448 - Filed: 2009-12-16 - Published: 2010-06-24 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2002-07-15 - Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Applicants: Steven Tischer; Samuel N. Zellner; Robert J. Starr - Inventors: Steven Tischer; Samuel N. Zellner; Robert J. Starr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543098B2 ## CPC - H04L 12/66: Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways - H04L 65/1069: Session establishment or de-establishment - H04M 7/0069: {comprising a residential gateway, e.g. those which provide an adapter for POTS or ISDN terminals} - H04W 12/084: using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol - H04W 12/088: using filters or firewalls - H04M 2207/20: hybrid systems - H04W 4/18: Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals - H04W 74/00: Wireless channel access - H04W 92/18: between terminal devices - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for securely providing communications between devices and networks are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises an input, an output, logic, and a security program to restrict access to the input or the output of the interface device, connected devices or associated communication networks. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The security program determines whether a device or user is authorized to receive data prior to granting access to the data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising: an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device; logic configured for utilizing an identity of the first device from the data to identify the second device from a plurality of user devices for receiving the data, identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and translating the data to the second format; an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device; and a security program operative to restrict access to the interface device by providing digital rights management such that the data is transmitted to the second device if the second device has rights to the data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The interface device of claim 1, wherein the logic is further operative to insert a watermark into the data to identify a source of the data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The interface device of claim 2, wherein the watermark is audible. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The interface device of claim 1, wherein the logic is further operative to provide a mechanism for generating an access log. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The interface device of claim 4, wherein the access log tracks data corresponding to attempts to access data via the interface device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The interface device of claim 1, wherein the logic is further operative to filter the data received at the input according to user preferences. ### Claim 7 A method for providing communications between a first communications device and a second communications device via an interface device, comprising: receiving data directed to a user at an input of the interface device in a first format from the first communications device; identifying a second communications device from a plurality of user devices for receiving the data according to a user profile associated with the user; identifying a second format compatible with the second communications device; translating the data to the second format; determining whether the second communications device is authorized to receive the data; transmitting the translated data from an output of the interface device to the second communications device if the second communications device is authorized to receive the data; and denying the second communications device access to the data if the second communications device is not authorized to receive the data. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein determining whether the second communications device is authorized to receive the data comprises determining whether the second communications device has a license for the data. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising determining whether the second communications device is authorized to access the interface device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising granting access to the data or the interface device based on network connection history. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein logic for determining whether the second communications device is authorized to receive the data or to access the interface device resides on a SIM card. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising inserting a watermark into the data to identify a source of the data. ### Claim 13 An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising: an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device; logic configured for utilizing an identity of the first device from the data to identify the second device from a plurality of user devices for receiving the data, identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and translating the data to the second format; an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device; and a security program operative to restrict access to the interface device by providing digital rights management such that the data is received at the input if the interface device has rights to the data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The interface device of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operative to insert a watermark into the data to identify a source of the data. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The interface device of claim 14, wherein the watermark is audible. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The interface device of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operative to provide a mechanism for generating an access log. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The interface device of claim 16, wherein the access log tracks data corresponding to attempts to access data via the interface device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The interface device of claim 13, wherein the logic is further operative to filter the data received at the input according to user preferences.