SECURE BROADCAST SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERNET OF THINGS DEVICES

• US 20160323736A1
• Filed: 04/14/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MelRok, LLC
• Original Assignee: MelRok, LLC
• Inventors: Nygren, Shad L., Donahue, Paul W., Kamel, Michel Roger
• Application Number:
  US15/099,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20160323736A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/062 applying encryption of the keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0827 involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths network architectures or network communication protocols using different networks H04L63/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/041 Key generation or derivation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0471 Key exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

An encryption key is used to decode messages sent to control devices, such as devices connected by the Internet of Things. For security, at least a portion of the encryption key is send to a receiving device via a first communication technology and a remaining portion of the encryption key is sent to the receiving device via a second communication technology different or disparate from the first communication technology.

Claims

1. A device to communicate encrypted messages over a first communication medium, the device comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a first portion of an encryption key transmitted within a first wideband digital subcarrier operating within a licensed frequency spectral mask of a terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station, the receiver further configured to receive a second portion of the encryption key transmitted within a second wideband digital subcarrier operating within the licensed frequency spectral mask of the terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station;

a control module configured to use the first and second portions to form the encryption key; and

a communication port configured to receive a message over the first communication medium, wherein the received message was encrypted using the encryption key;

the control module further configured to decrypt the received message using the encryption key, create a response based at least in part on the decrypted message, and encrypt the response using the encryption key;

the communication port further configured to transmit the encrypted response over the first communication medium;

wherein the first communication medium is different from the first and second wideband digital subcarriers operating within the licensed frequency spectral mask of the terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a third portion of the encryption key transmitted within a third wideband digital subcarrier operating within the licensed frequency spectral mask of the terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the control module is further configured to use at least two of the first, second, and third portions to form the encryption key.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first communication medium comprises one or more of a wired networking protocol, a wireless networking protocol, cellular communications, the Internet, a local area network, and a wide area network.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second wideband digital subcarriers of the licensed terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station has a data throughput of at least 12 kilobits per second.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the encryption key is updated once a minute.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein updating the encryption key comprises varying a ratio of the first portion of the encryption key to the second portion of the encryption key.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the encryption key is allocated by one or more of type of apparatus, region, time of day, alert priority level, originator, message type, customer identification, location data, grid location data, tariffs affected, apparatus class, and apparatus subclass.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the decrypted message comprises a command to change an energy consumption that includes changing one or more of an energy source, an amount of energy consumed, an operational point, an operational schedule, and an operational parameter.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a motor, wherein the control module is further configured to send control signals to the motor to change the energy consumption of the motor, and wherein the encrypted response comprises encrypted data associated with the change in the energy consumption of the motor.

11. A method to communicate encrypted messages over a first communication medium, the method comprising:

receiving a first portion of an encryption key transmitted within a first wideband digital subcarrier operating within a licensed frequency spectral mask of a terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station;

receiving a second portion of the encryption key transmitted within a second wideband digital subcarrier operating within the licensed frequency spectral mask of the terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station;

using the first and second portions to form the encryption key;

receiving a message over the first communication medium, wherein the received message was encrypted using the encryption key;

decrypting the received message using the encryption key;

creating a response based at least in part on the decrypted message;

encrypting the response using the encryption key; and

transmitting the encrypted response over the first communication medium;

wherein the first communication medium is different from the first and second wideband digital subcarriers operating within the licensed frequency spectral mask of the terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving a third portion of the encryption key transmitted within a third wideband digital subcarrier operating within the licensed frequency spectral mask of the terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising using at least two of the first, second, and third portions to form the encryption key.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first communication medium comprises one or more of a wired networking protocol, a wireless networking protocol, cellular communications, the Internet, a local area network, and a wide area network.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the first and second wideband digital subcarriers of the licensed terrestrial wireless VHF FM Broadcast radio station has a data throughput of at least 12 kilobits per second.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising updating the encryption key once a minute.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein updating the encryption key comprises varying a ratio of the first portion of the encryption key to the second portion of the encryption key.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the encryption key is allocated by one or more of type of apparatus, region, time of day, alert priority level, originator, message type, customer identification, location data, grid location data, tariffs affected, apparatus class, and apparatus subclass.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising changing an energy consumption based at least in part on the decrypted message, wherein changing the energy consumption comprises changing one or more of an energy source, an amount of energy consumed, an operational point, an operational schedule, and an operational parameter.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising sending control signals to a device to change the energy consumption of the device, wherein the encrypted response comprises encrypted data associated with the change in the energy consumption of the device.