Communication network with secure access for portable users
US8406427B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04K2203/18
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communication network includes a local area network (LAN) and a wireless access point coupled to the LAN. In one embodiment, each access point includes a medium access control (MAC) stage, and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver for communicating unsecure message data via RF links with users of associated wireless devices. An optical transmitter/receiver in the access point enables the users to communicate secure message data over the LAN via free space optical (FSO) links with the users. The MAC stage operates (i) to direct unsecure data from the LAN to the wireless device users and to direct unsecure data from the users to the LAN, via the RF transmitter/receiver; and (ii) to direct secure data from the LAN to the wireless device users and to direct secure data from the users to the LAN, via the optical transmitter/receiver. An integrated VoIP/FSO portable handset is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.