Remote Access Registry for Secure Telephone Network Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secure telephone networks restrict access to their functionalities, such as call transfers and conference calling, to users within the network, preventing remote users from accessing these features and incurring higher costs for external connections.
Innovation Solution
A method using a remote access registry to authenticate remote callers through unique electronic serial numbers (ESNs) and personal identification numbers (PINs), allowing secure access to the network while enforcing connection policies for access times and extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If secure telephone networks restrict access to network functions for internal users only, then network security and functionality are maintained, but remote users cannot access network features and must use expensive external connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote access registry as an intermediary component between external telephones and the secure network PBX. This registry acts as a mediator that authenticates remote users by storing and verifying ESN-PIN pairs, allowing controlled access to network functions while maintaining security through centralized authentication management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions by pre-storing valid ESN-PIN combinations in the remote access registry before actual network access is needed. When a remote user attempts to access the network, the system checks against these pre-validated entries, enabling secure access without requiring real-time security decisions.
2Ease of operation
If remote access is enabled without authentication mechanisms, then accessibility is improved, but security and control over network resources are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system operates autonomously by automatically retrieving and verifying ESN-PIN pairs from the remote access registry without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the authentication process, checking credentials and making access decisions automatically, which simplifies user interaction while maintaining strong security controls.
3Reliability
If connection policies are implemented to control remote access times and extensions, then network security and resource management are improved, but access complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote access registry serves multiple functions within a single unified structure: it stores authentication credentials (ESN-PIN pairs), enforces connection policies (time restrictions, extension limitations), and manages access control decisions. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise be separate complex mechanisms into one integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for allowing remote callers to access a secure telephone network maintains a registry (i.e. a database) of all remote callers that have access to the network. The registry contains an electronic serial number (ESN) and a personal identification number (PIN) for each remote caller. The ESN is typically the serial number of the callers cellular telephone. Alternatively, the ESN is a phone number of the remote caller's telephone. To establish a connection, the remote caller calls a private branch exchange (PBX) of the secure network. Upon receiving the call, the PBX compares the ESN and PIN of the remote caller with the ESN and PIN stored in the registry. If a match is found, the PBX authenticates the remote caller and allows the connection. The remote caller may have full access or access limited by a connection policy.