Abstract: A system for conserving energy in a multi-node network (110) includes nodes (205) configured to organize themselves into tiers (305, 310, 315). The nodes (205) are further configured to produce a transmit/receive schedule at a first tier (310) in the network (110) and control the powering-on and powering-off of transmitters and receivers in nodes (205) in a tier adjacent (315) to the first tier (310) according to the transmit/receive schedule.

Abstract: A quantum cryptographic key distribution (QKD) relay (205) includes one or more interfaces (530-1 through 530-N) and processing logic (505). The one or more interfaces (530-1 through 530-N) receive secret keys from other QKD relays in a QKD network. The processing logic (505) determines one or more paths for transporting the secret keys, using quantum cryptographic techniques, across a QKD network and route the secret keys towards a respective destination across the QKD network using the determined one or more paths.

Abstract: A system transports a key between a first node (505) at one end of a path (500) through a quantum cryptographic key distribution (QKD) network to a second node (525) at an opposite end of the path (500), where the QKD network includes multiple nodes. The system transmits secret bits between the multiple nodes of the QKD network using quantum cryptographic mechanisms. The system reserves (530), from the first node (505), portions of the transmitted secret bits at each intermediate node along the path between the first (505) and the second node (525). The system transports a key between the second node (525) and the first node (505) using the reserved portions (555, 560, 565, 575) of the transmitted secret bits.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing quantum cryptographic keys among a group of user devices through a switch connected to the user devices are provided. A switch [1000] establishes a connection between two user devices [405a, 405b] according to a schedule. A Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) session is established between the two user devices [405a, 405b] to facilitate sharing of secret key material between the two user devices. Connections and QKD sessions may be established for different pairs of the user devices.

Abstract: A quantum cryptography system [100] may include a transmitter [110] configured to generate entangled first and second photons, modulate and detect the first photon, and transmit detection information and the second photon. The system [100] may also include a receiver [160] configured to modulate the second photon. The receiver [160] may also be configured to detect the second photon based on the detection information.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for distributing a key between nodes. The nodes are provided separate links for carrying messages versus keying information or material. The links for carrying messages couple the nodes to a messaging network, such as the Internet. In addition, the nodes are coupled together in a key distribution network by specialized links for carrying keying information or material. The links for keying information or material are configured to ensure the security of the keying information or material. The nodes that neighbor each other in the key distribution network establish respective pairwise keys. Once the pairwise keys are established, a set of non-neighboring nodes establish a shared key by communicating a sequence of bits through the messaging network. In order to ensure the security of the sequence of bits, the sequence of bits is encrypted based on the respective pairwise keys of neighboring nodes as it is forwarded in messages through the messaging network.

Abstract: A communications apparatus (2) in a communications network (100 or 110) is provided for communication among a plurality of communication apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) routes messages for neighboring apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) includes a memory (4, 7 or 8), a processor (3) and a transceiver (6). The memory has a plurality of routing managers (12, 13, and 14) stored thereon, and each manager maintains at least one network table including one or more entries. The processor 3 selects at least one network table from those maintained by the plurality of routing managers (12, 13 and 14) that are stored in the memory (4, 7 or 8), based on an address indicator and/or on a type-of-service of a message. The processor 3 extracts network information from the selected network table or tables. The processor (3) also controls transmission of the message according to the extracted network information. The transceiver (6) transmits and receives messages.

Abstract: A system for conserving energy in a multi-node network (110) includes nodes (205) configured to organize themselves into tiers (305, 310, 315). The nodes (205) are further configured to produce a transmit/receive schedule at a first tier (310) in the network (110) and control the powering-on and powering-off of transmitters and receivers in nodes (205) in a tier adjacent (315) to the first tier (310) according to the transmit/receive schedule.

Abstract: The present invention helps increase the reliability, throughput, and ease-of-configuration for data networks. The invention sets “time-to-live” (“TTL”) values for packets which may be routed through a network within a router based on a selected route, rather than by a host computer or using a fixed pre-configured value. Upon receiving an incoming data packet from a host computer, a TTL value is set which tailored to network conditions and the route selected. The data packet is then routed within the network using the tailored TTL and is discarded more quickly than if a large default value were used.

Abstract: A quantum cryptographic key distribution system (100) includes a first quantum cryptographic device (105b) and a second quantum cryptographic device (105a). The first quantum cryptographic device (105b) is designated as a slave device and stores shared secret bits. The second quantum cryptographic device (105a) is designated as a master device and selects a block of the shared secret bits and notifies the slave device of the selected block of the shared secret bits for using in cryptographically protecting data sent between the first (105b) and second (105a) quantum cryptographic devices.

Abstract: A system transports a key between a first node (505) at one end of a path (500) through a quantum cryptographic key distribution (QKD) network to a second node (525) at an opposite end of the path (500), where the QKD network includes multiple nodes. The system transmits secret bits between the multiple nodes of the QKD network using quantum cryptographic mechanisms. The system reserves (530), from the first node (505), portions of the transmitted secret bits at each intermediate node along the path between the first (505) and the second node (525). The system transports a key between the second node (525) and the first node (505) using the reserved portions (555, 560, 565, 575) of the transmitted secret bits.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for distributing a key between nodes. The nodes are provided separate links for carrying messages versus keying information or material. The links for carrying messages couple the nodes to a messaging network, such as the Internet. In addition, the nodes are coupled together in a key distribution network by specialized links for carrying keying information or material. The links for keying information or material are configured to ensure the security of the keying information or material. The nodes that neighbor each other in the key distribution network establish respective pairwise keys. Once the pairwise keys are established, a set of non-neighboring nodes establish a shared key by communicating a sequence of bits through the messaging network. In order to ensure the security of the sequence of bits, the sequence of bits is encrypted based on the respective pairwise keys of neighboring nodes as it is forwarded in messages through the messaging network.

Abstract: A system penalizes callers for annoying voice calls. The system identifies a caller (540) associated with a call to a called party in response to invocation of a feature activation code by the called party. The system records the occurrence of the feature activation code invocation (550) and notifies a billing entity (560) of the identity of the caller and the invocation of the feature activation code so that the billing entity can charge the caller for the call to the called party.

Abstract: A communications apparatus (2) in a communications network (100 or 110) is provided for communication among a plurality of communication apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) routes messages for neighboring apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) includes a memory (4, 7 or 8), a processor (3) and a transceiver (6). The memory has a plurality of routing managers (12, 13, and 14) stored thereon, and each manager maintains at least one network table including one or more entries. The processor 3 selects at least one network table from those maintained by the plurality of routing managers (12, 13 and 14) that are stored in the memory (4, 7 or 8), based on an address indicator and/or on a type-of-service of a message. The processor 3 extracts network information from the selected network table or tables. The processor (3) also controls transmission of the message according to the extracted network information. The transceiver (6) transmits and receives messages.