Secure control of wireless sensor network via the internet

• US 20060062201A1
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Funk, Karsten, Schaefer, Jochen, Ravula, Sharmila
• Granted Patent: US 7,817,994 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0879 Manual configuration through operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method and a system for controlling a wireless sensor network from a user interface coupled to the Internet are provided. A user accesses an Internet-based portal from the user interface and establishes a secure broadband Internet connection between a remote control module coupled to the wireless sensor network and the portal. The connection is established by manually triggering a connection between the remote control module and the portal from the remote control module.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a wireless sensor network coupled to a local remote control module from an Internet-based user interface, the method comprising:

accessing an Internet-based portal from the user interface; and

establishing a secure connection between the remote control module and the portal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishing step includes manually triggering a connection between the remote control module and the portal from the remote control module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the manual triggering is performed by pressing an activation button on the remote control module.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishing step includes sending a notification from the portal to the remote control module indicating a request to establish a connection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the notification includes:

placing a telephone call to the remote control module; and

recording a caller ID from the call at the remote control module.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

guiding set up of the wireless sensor network from the portal; and

transmitting configuration data from the portal to the remote control module.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control interface includes a broadband interface, and the connection between the remote control module and the portal is made over the Internet.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control interface includes a modem, and the connection between the remote control module and the portal is made over the PSTN.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein communication between the remote control module and the portal is encrypted.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein once a secure connection is established, configuration information is downloaded from the portal to the local remote control module.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein after the configuration information is downloaded, the remote control module sends a notification to the portal indicating whether or not the configuration was successfully performed.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein a connection between the remote control module and the portal can only be established through the remote control module.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the connection can established only in one of the following cases:

a) by manually pressing a button at the remote control module;

b) during scheduled status reports initiated by the remote control module;

c) when an alert or alarm is reported by the remote control module to the portal.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the remote control module is pre-programmed with an internet protocol address of the portal.

10. A system comprising:

a wireless sensor network;

a remote control module adapted to exchange signals with the wireless sensor network via a base station, the remote control module including a broadband interface to the Internet;

a portal coupled to the Internet, the portal including an application for configuring and initializing the wireless sensor network; and

a user interface coupled to the Internet and adapted to communicate with the portal;

wherein a secure connection between the remote control module and the portal is initiated from the remote control module, thereby enabling control of the wireless sensor network from the user interface via the portal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the remote control module includes a user interface for manually triggering the secure connection to the portal.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the wireless sensor includes at least one sensor node, and the remote control module is adapted to identify the at least one sensor node in communication with the base station and to store the identified sensor node in a table.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein prior to the initiation of a connection between the remote control module and the portal, the portal notifies the remote control module of a request to establish a connection via a telephone call.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the remote control module establishes a broadband Internet connection with the portal upon receiving and rejecting the telephone call.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein communication between the remote control network and the portal is encrypted.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the remote control module uses a caller ID of the portal derived from the telephone call to authenticate the portal.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein once a secure connection is established, the portal transmits configuration information to the remote control module.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein after the configuration information is downloaded, the remote control module sends a notification to the portal indicating whether or not the configuration was successfully performed.