US5301232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for over-the-air programming of communication devices
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1992-11-05
•
Granted: 1994-04-05
•
Expires: 2012-11-05
Abstract
Abstract In a communication system (300), a controller interface (302) provides for monitoring of channel activity in order to determine communication devices (400) which are communicating using old encryption information. Upon a key management controller (306) determining that one or more communication devices are using an old encryption scheme, the key management controller (306) establishes communications with the communication device(s) (400) and provides them with the new encryption information.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith I. Mulford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/08; H04L9/0891; H04L2209/00; H04L2209/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for programming a communication device having a first set of encryption information with a second set of encryption information using radio frequency signals, the communication device operating in a communication system having at least one communication channel and a system controller, comprising the steps of: transmitting the second set of encryption information to the communication device; monitoring the at least one communication channel with the system controller in order to determine if the communication device is still using the first set of encryption information; and establishing communications between the system controller and the communication device in order to provide the second set of encryption information to the communication device if the communication device is still using the first set of encryption information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for programming a communication device having a first set of encryption information with a second set of encryption information using radio frequency signals, the communication device operating in a communication system having at least one communication channel and a system controller, comprising the steps of: transmitting the second set of encryption information to the communication device; monitoring the at least one communication channel with the system controller in order to determine if the communication device is still using the first set of encryption information; and establishing communications between the system controller and the communication device in order to provide the second set of encryption information to the communication device if the communication device is still using the first set of encryption information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the further step of: transmitting an activation message to the communication device in order to activate the second set of encryption information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of establishing communications between the system controller and the communication device comprises the steps of: determining the identification number of the communication device; and transmitting a message directed to the communication device which includes the second set of encryption information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining if the communication device has been compromised and if it determined that it has been compromised not providing the second set of programming information to the communication device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the at least one communication channel comprises the steps of: determining if any messages have been sent by the communication device via the at least one communication channel; and attempting to decrypt any messages that are sent to the system controller using the first set of encryption information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the step of establishing communications between the controller and the communication device comprises the step of: transmitting an encrypted message directed to the communication device using the first set of encryption information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A radio communication system including a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices using a first encryption key to communicate, the communication system comprising: a communication channel resource; and a system controller coupled to the communication channel resource, the system controller comprising: data base means for determining which of the plurality of communication devices have not received a second encryption key; monitoring means coupled to the data base means for monitoring the communication channel resource in order to determine if any of the plurality of communication devices are communicating via the communication channel resource using the first encryption key; and transmission means coupled to the monitoring means for establishing communications with any of the plurality of communication devices which are communicating via the communication channel resource using the first encryption key in order to provide them with the second encryption key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
143 words
A radio communication system including a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices using a first encryption key to communicate, the communication system comprising: a communication channel resource; and a system controller coupled to the communication channel resource, the system controller comprising: data base means for determining which of the plurality of communication devices have not received a second encryption key; monitoring means coupled to the data base means for monitoring the communication channel resource in order to determine if any of the plurality of communication devices are communicating via the communication channel resource using the first encryption key; and transmission means coupled to the monitoring means for establishing communications with any of the plurality of communication devices which are communicating via the communication channel resource using the first encryption key in order to provide them with the second encryption key.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A radio communication system as defined in claim 3, wherein the system controller transmits an activation command to the communication devices which have received the second encryption key in order for the communication devices which have received the second encryption key to begin using the second encryption key.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-04 | 1997-10-04 | 1998-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-04 | 2001-10-04 | 2002-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-04 | 2005-10-04 | 2006-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |