Multiple format secure voice apparatus for communication handsets

[0002] This invention relates to communication handsets and more specifically to secure or encrypted handsets.

[0003] At the present time, there is a large number of different hand-held communication devices, such as remote telephones, cellular telephones, two-way radios, etc. In many instances it is desirable to provide secure or encrypted communications to prevent interception of the information by outside parties. A problem arises because of the large number of different devices. Examples of some different wireless devices are AMPS, GSM (a European TDMA cellular phone), Iridium, IS95 (CDMA), Tetra (a European terrestrial trunked radio), and an example of a wired device is V.34 MODEM.

[0004] Each of these wireless and wired devices has a different front-end and a different operating format for the transceiver portion. In order for one manufacturer to produce secure or encryption devices for all of these different communication devices, it is presently necessary to produce a different module for each different device because the module must be compatible with the different front-ends and the different operating formats. Thus, one manufacturer must produce literally dozens of different products to match the dozens of different devices that may require a secure or encryption module. Clearly, this is impractical since the manufacturer may only sell a few of any one module in his particular area. Further, each time that a customer changes the handheld communication device that he is using (e.g., buys a different model of telephone) or purchases a second type of handheld communication device, he must buy a new or another encryption module. This becomes extremely expensive and can severely curtail the customer's exchange and purchase of different equipment.

[0005] Also, if any of these encryption modules are to be used by the U.S. Government, each of these encryption modules must be separately certified for use on Government applications. The Government certification process is long and expensive so that a manufacturer loses a great amount of time and money if it attempts to certify several different encryption modules.

[0006] Accordingly it is highly desirable to provide multiple format secure voice apparatus for communication handsets.

[0007] Referring to the drawing, the single FIGURE is a simplified block diagram of multiple format secure voice apparatus for communication handsets in accordance with the present invention.

[0008] Referring to the single FIGURE, a simplified block diagram is illustrated of multiple format secure voice apparatus and communication handset 10 in accordance with the present invention. Handset 10 includes a core unit 12 and a replaceable unit 14. Core unit 12 includes a complete front end with any desired operator interface elements, such as a speaker 15, a microphone 16, a keypad 17, one or more displays 18, etc. Speaker 16 and microphone 17 are connected to an audio circuit 20, which in a preferred embodiment converts the analog audio signals to digital signals. Examples of digital output audio circuits include A-Law PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) CODECs and μ-Law PCM CODECs that convert audio to 8-bit samples at 8 kHz. Audio circuit 20 provides the digital audio signal on an input/output (I/O) terminal 21.

[0009] Core unit 12 further includes an encryption/decryption element 25 which may incorporate any of the well known encryption algorithms. Generally, for commercial handsets element 25 will include a commercial standard encryption algorithm, such as DES or Triple DES. In handsets certified for use on Government applications the encryption algorithm will be, for example, U.S. Govt. Type 1 or UK “High-grade”. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, certification for U.S. Government use is much more difficult and expensive than whatever certification is required for commercial sales. However, as will be understood from the description below, only one certification is required for the single or common core unit 12 so that the certification time and expense is greatly reduced.

[0010] Core unit 12 further includes an encode/decode element 27 which converts the digital audio signals from audio circuit 20 into an easily transmitted format. Typical examples of element 27 are a vocoder ACELP, VCELP, AMBE, or IMBE. All of these encode/decode algorithms convert the voice or data from a 64 kbit digital signal into a lower rate signal (2.4 kBPS to 9.6 kBPS, typically). Also, element 27 operates in conjunction with element 25 to encrypt signals to be transmitted and to decrypt received signals. Coded and encrypted signals are present on I/O terminal 28. Also, in some instances it may be desirable to provide audio directly without encryption and with or without coding. This audio is provided on I/O terminal 21.

[0011] A control element 30 is coupled by means of a bus 31 to audio circuit 20, encryption/decryption element 25 and encode/decode element 27. As will be understood, control element 30 provides all of the necessary control signals to control the operation of core unit 12. Also, keypad 17 is connected to control element 30 to receive any instructions from various controls (e.g., on/off, etc.) and to convert typed messages into digital signals compatible with element 27. Display 18 is connected to control element 30 and receives signals compatible with the display from control element 30. Also in some instances (e.g., touch screens and the like) control element 30 may receive signals from display 18. It will of course be understood that some, all, or additional operator interface elements may be incorporated in core unit 12 and will generally be connected in a manner known in the art. Control element 30 also has an I/O terminal 32 for receiving and communicating various control signals. Also, control element 30 can have a data I/O terminal 33 for connecting core unit 12 directly to various wired devices in an office, home, etc.

[0012] Here it should be understood that core unit 12 is designed as a common front end for any or all hand-held communication handsets or devices, including but not limited to well known wireless devices such as AMPS, GSM (a European TDMA cellular phone), Iridium, IS95 (CDMA), Tetra (a European terrestrial trunked radio), and well known wired devices, such as V.34 MODEMs. To accommodate core unit 12 to the various hand-held communication devices, a standard interface coupler 35 is provided. Standard interface coupler 35 is connected to data I/O terminal 28, Audio I/O terminal 21. and control I/O terminal 32.

[0013] A mating standard interface coupler 40 is incorporated into any hand-held communication handsets or devices intended to utilize core unit 12 as the front end. For after market use, i.e., handheld units already in use and incorporating their own internal front ends, mating standard interface coupler 40 can be easily incorporated so that core unit 30 can be coupled and used instead of the internal front end. Here the term “standard interface coupler” is defined as any well known coupler which can be conveniently installed in core unit 30 and in any handheld communication handsets or devices intended to utilize core unit 12 as the front end. Mating standard interface coupler 40 is connected in a well known manner to a transceiver 42 which is formatted for any of the various wireless and/or wired systems. An I/O terminal 44 is illustrated with an antenna 45 attached thereto but it will be understood that terminal 44 could be or could include a connection to various wired systems.

[0014] Thus, handheld units for all of the various communications systems (e.g., wireless devices such as AMPS, GSM (a European TDMA cellular phone), Iridium, IS95 (CDMA), Tetra (a European terrestrial trunked radio), and well known wired devices, such as V.34 MODEMs) simply require a transceiver compatible with the various formats and a mating standard interface coupler. Individual front ends can be eliminated. A common core unit 12 is then supplied for each handheld unit or, in cases where an individual desires different handheld units, a single core unit 12 can be used with any of the handheld transceiver units. Also, when an individual wants a new or different communications device he simply purchases a new handheld transceiver unit and uses the old common core unit. Further, in instances where an individual already has a handheld unit with an internal front end, he can simply install the mating standard coupler 40 and use the common core unit for secure communications. This greatly simplifies manufacturing of new handheld transceiver units and substantially reduces the cost to consumers. Therefore, each time that a customer changes to a handheld communication device with a different format or purchases a new or a second type of handheld communication device, he is not required to purchase a new or another encryption module. Because the manufacturer is only required to certify and or test a single front end, the time is substantially reduced and the cost to the consumer is reduced.

[0015] While we have shown and described a specific embodiment of the present invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown and we intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.