Power distribution system secure access communication system and method
First Claim
1. In a communication system having at least one component with a wireless communication capability such that it is operable to act as a wireless communication access point, and a mobile station seeking to associate with the at least one component, a secure access protocol, the protocol comprising:
- receiving at the at least one component a management message from the mobile station;
obtaining mobile identification information from the management message;
obtaining an encryption key from a memory, the encryption key being associated with the mobile station based upon the mobile identification information;
decrypting a portion of the management message using the encryption key to obtain decrypted information;
verifying an identity of the mobile based upon the decrypted information; and
communicating an association message to the mobile station confirming an association, the association message only being communicated to the mobile station subsequent to verification of the identity of the mobile station based upon the decrypted information.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power distribution system may have source, switching and load components, wherein at least one of the source, switching and load components has a wireless communication capability such that it is operable to act as a wireless communication access point. A mobile station seeking to associate with the one component may use a secure access protocol to gain such access. The secure access protocol may provide for receiving at the one component a management message from the mobile station. From the management message the component may obtain mobile identification information used to verify the identity of the mobile station and to initiate communication by sending an association message. Until after successful verification of the mobile station identity the component remains radio silent.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a communication system having at least one component with a wireless communication capability such that it is operable to act as a wireless communication access point, and a mobile station seeking to associate with the at least one component, a secure access protocol, the protocol comprising:
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receiving at the at least one component a management message from the mobile station; obtaining mobile identification information from the management message; obtaining an encryption key from a memory, the encryption key being associated with the mobile station based upon the mobile identification information; decrypting a portion of the management message using the encryption key to obtain decrypted information; verifying an identity of the mobile based upon the decrypted information; and communicating an association message to the mobile station confirming an association, the association message only being communicated to the mobile station subsequent to verification of the identity of the mobile station based upon the decrypted information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of associating a mobile station with an access point of a communication or data network, the method comprising:
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maintaining the access point radio silent; receiving at the access point a management message from the mobile station seeking to associate with the access point; verifying an identity of the mobile station based upon a data portion of the management message; and communicating an association message to the mobile station only after a successful verification of the mobile station identity based upon the data portion of the management message, the association message only being communicated to the mobile station subsequent to the verification of the mobile station identity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a power distribution protection system having source, switching and load components, wherein at least one of the source, switching and load components has a wireless communication capability such that it is operable to act as a wireless communication access point, and a mobile station seeking to associate with the one component, a secure access protocol, the protocol comprising:
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receiving at the one component a management message from the mobile station; obtaining mobile identification information from the management message; obtaining an encryption key from a memory, the encryption key being associated with the mobile station based upon the mobile identification information; decrypting a portion of the management message using the encryption key to obtain decrypted information; verifying an identity of the mobile based upon the decrypted information; and communicating an association message to the mobile station confirming an association, the association message only being communicated to the mobile station subsequent to verification of the identity of the mobile station based upon the decrypted information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification