US4174149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secure fiber optics communication system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1976-08-19
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Granted: 1979-11-13
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Expires: 1996-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A secure communications system is disclosed which utilizes an optical infation signal transmitted over a frangible optical fiber. An alarm signal is continuously transmitted from the information receiver site to the information transmitter site over the same optical fiber. Any attempt to penetrate the optical fiber for the purpose of intercepting the information transmitted therein causes the frangible fiber to shatter, thereby disrupting the alarm signal being received at the information transmitter site. The detection of this condition results in the immediate disabling of the information transmitter.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Rupp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/85; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4469
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A secure fiber optics communication system comprising: an information transmitter for the generation of an information signal; an information receiver for receiving said information signal; an optical fiber having a frangible glass coating therearound, connecting said information transmitter and said information receiver for the transmission of said information signal, said frangible glass coating comprising glass having high internal stresses; and means for disabling said information transmitter upon an attempt to penetrate said optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A secure fiber optics communication system comprising: an information transmitter for the generation of an information signal; an information receiver for receiving said information signal; an optical fiber having a frangible glass coating therearound, connecting said information transmitter and said information receiver for the transmission of said information signal, said frangible glass coating comprising glass having high internal stresses; and means for disabling said information transmitter upon an attempt to penetrate said optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The communication system of claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes means for detecting a change in level of the signals transmitted through the optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The communication system of claim 1 wherein said disabling means further includes: an alarm transmitter for generating alarm signals; an alarm receiver for receiving said alarm signals; and means for coupling said alarm transmitter and said alarm receiver to the optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The communication system of claim 3 wherein said disabling means also includes means within the alarm receiver for detecting a change in level of said alarm signal and means connected to the information transmitter for disabling said information transmitter upon the detection by the alarm receiver of the change in level of said alarm signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communication system of claim 4 wherein said alarm signal is disrupted by an attempt to penetrate the fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The communication system of claim 3 wherein said alarm transmitter is located adjacent to said information receiver and said alarm receiver is located adjacent to said information transmitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The communication system of claim 6 wherein said alarm signal is transmitted through the same optical fiber as the information signal and in an opposite direction thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communication system of claim 7 wherein said alarm signal and said information signal are of the same frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 7 wherein said alarm signal and said information signal are of different frequencies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communication system of claim 1 wherein said optical fiber includes an opaque coating to prevent the external observation of the optical signals therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-12 | 1983-05-14 | 1983-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-12 | 1987-05-14 | 1987-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-12 | 1991-05-14 | 1991-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |