The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 14, 2008
Filed:
Mar. 06, 2003
Fred S. Cook, Olathe, KS (US);
Mark L. Jones, Overland Park, KS (US);
Fred S. Cook, Olathe, KS (US);
Mark L. Jones, Overland Park, KS (US);
Sprint Communications Company L.P., Overland Park, KS (US);
Abstract
A secure communication channel is established between a portable computing device and a fixed public network outlet. Infrared beaming is employed wherein the IR beam is confined to an optical fiber placed between the IR beaming ports of the portable device and the fixed outlet. A portable computing device such as a PDA or a laptop PC has an infrared beaming port capable of bidirectional serial communication. A fiber optic system includes an optical fiber, a retractable spool for retaining the optical fiber, a fiber mount for mounting a first end of the optical fiber in alignment with the infrared beaming port of the portable computing device, and a terminator at a second end of the optical fiber. A public network outlet is provided in a fixed location and has an infrared data port in communication with an optical fiber connector adapted to receive the terminator. The infrared data port is in bidirectional serial communication with the infrared beaming port in order to authenticate the portable computing device and to provide public network services in response to the authentication.