Telemetry using "always-on" communication connection system and method

• US 20060056605A1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Whitfield, Arthur Sullivan, Geoffrey Girdler, Gordon Smythe
• Original Assignee: Andrew Whitfield, Arthur Sullivan, Geoffrey Girdler, Gordon Smythe
• Inventors: Smythe, Gordon, Sullivan, Arthur, Girdler, Geoffrey, Whitfield, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US10/939,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20060056605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/106.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/08 specially adapted for optional reception of entertainment or informative matter
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic

Abstract

A telemetry system includes at least one telemetry communication device for handling security event information available to the telemetry communication device. The system also includes a central host device, and an “always on” network, such as the Internet, communicatively connected to the telemetry communication device and the central host device, for communications between the telemetry communication device and the central host device. Encryption key information is exchanged between the central host device and the telemetry communication device, via a secure path, such as a cellular telephone call between the devices wherein identity and authentication can be ensured by Calling Line Identity information, or other secure exchange. Telemetry information is communicated by the telemetry communication device and the central host device over the “always on” network, in encrypted format according to the particular encryption keys exchanged. The central host device also communicates the telemetry information to a monitor service, over the “always on” network and in encrypted format after secure exchange of encryption keys between the central host device and the monitor service. The system can also include a back-up path for communications of telemetry information in the event that the “always on” network is unavailable for the communications.

Claims

1. A telemetry system, comprising:

a telemetry communication device;

a central host device;

an “

always on”

network communicatively connected to the telemetry communication device and the central host device, for communications between the telemetric communication device and the central host device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a back-up channel communicatively connected to the telemetry communication device and the central host device, for communications between the telemetry communication device and the central host device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the “

always on”

network is the Internet.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the back-up channel is a wireless channel.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the telemetry communications device and the central host device communicate over the network via encrypted packetized data.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a secure exchange path, connected to the telemetry communications device and the central host device, wherein the path is employed for communications between the central host device and the telemetry communications device of an encryption key.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the secure exchange path channel is employed for communications between the telemetry communications device and the central host device of an identifier of the telemetric communications device.

8. A telemetry system, comprising:

an “

always on”

network; and

wherein telemetry communications on the network conform to TCP/IP protocols.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein encrypted identification and authentication communications are conducted on the network for purposes of the telemetry system.

10. A method of telemetry, comprising the steps of:

communicating identity and authentication information via a secure path from a telemetry device to a central host;

communicating the identity and authentication information via a second secure path from the central host to a monitor service device;

communicating an encryption key to the telemetry device via the secure path;

communicating an encryption key to the monitor service device via the second secure path;

communicating encrypted telemetry information over an “

always on”

network, by the telemetry device to the central host; and

communicating encrypted information in respect of the encrypted telemetry information over the “

always on”

network, by the central host to the monitor service device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the secure path is a wireless communications call.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the “

always on”

network is the Internet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the secure path is a wireless communications call selected from the group consisting of:

GSM, GPRS, SMS, 3G, and Mobi Text.

14. A system for telemetry, comprising:

a telemetry communications device;

a central host device, communicatively connected to the telemetry communications device by an “

always on”

network;

wherein the telemetry communications device and the central host device communicate over the “

always on”

network via encrypted data signals.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a secure exchange of encryption keys by the telemetry communications device and the central host device; and

the encryption keys are employed by the telemetry communications device and the central host device for communications therebetween over the “

always on”

network.

16. The system for telemetry of claim 14, wherein the telemetry communications device includes a wireless call capability;

wherein the central host device also includes a wireless call capability;

wherein a distinct identifier of central host device and a second distinct identifier of the telemetry communications device assures identity and authentication in wireless calls between the devices; and

wherein the central host device communicates to the telemetry communications device an encryption key, via wireless call.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the “

always on”

network is the Internet.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein telemetry information is communicated by the telemetry communications device to the central host device over the “

always on”

network in encrypted form, after exchange of an encryption key via the wireless call.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications over the “

always on”

network are encrypted and conform to TCP/IP protocols.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a monitor service device, communicatively connected to the central host device via the “

always on”

network;

wherein communications between the central host device and the monitor service device are encrypted and conform to TCP/IP protocols.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

a recorder of the central host device;

wherein the recorder records and stores all communications and respective indicia of such communications received and transmitted by the central host device from and to the remote telemetry communications device.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a user communications device, communicatively connected to the central host device, capable of selectively accessing the recorded information of the recorder of the central host device.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the user communications device is an Internet and World Wide Web connected browser.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the user communications device is a wireless mobile telephone.