Importance

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Abstract

Secure teleconferencing between three or more parties is achieved by receiving encrypted information streams from each of the parties to the conference. The encrypted information streams are received in decryption/re-encryption units co-located with a conference bridge established in a telecommunication switching system in a public switched telephone network central office. The decryption/re-encryption units decrypt the information streams and then re-encrypt those information streams in accordance with a common conference encryption algorithm. The re-encryption processes for the information streams are synchronized so that the re-encryption circuitry for all information streams are in the same cryprostate at all times during the re-encryption procedure. The decryption/re-encryption units are located in secure surroundings to protect the unencrypted information streams present in those units. A gating circuit permits only one of the re-encrypted information streams to be input to the conference bridge at a given time. A circuit which simulates the operation of a silent conferee prevents noise bursts from being sent to the conferees during periods of time when all are silent.

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First Claim