Method for compatibility checking of a measuring system comprising a measurement transmitter and a sensor

• US 8,335,923 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2008
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft Fur Mess- Und Regeltechnik Mbh + Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft Fur Mess- Und Regeltechnik Mbh + Co. Kg
• Inventors: Wittmer, Detlev, Weiss, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chea, Philip
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALVARADO DAVID, DORIANNE
• Application Number:
  US12/733,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20100287379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user

Abstract

In a method for compatibility checking of a measuring system including a measurement transmitter and a sensor, a first signature is externally created for an identifying data set and is stored in the measurement transmitter. After transmission of the identifying data set from the measurement transmitter to the sensor, a second signature is calculated for the identifying data set in the sensor. If the signatures match, then the measurement transmitter and the sensor are compatible and the measurement transmitter can access data and/or functions of the sensor.

Claims

1. A method for compatibility checking of a measuring system comprising a measurement transmitter and a sensor, which exchange data via a communication connection, wherein an identifying data set and a first signature for the identifying data set are stored in the measurement transmitter, and wherein the identifying data set includes an authorization key, which enables access to data and/or functionalities of the sensor, comprising the steps of:

transmitting the identifying data set from the measurement transmitter to the sensor;

calculating a second signature for the identifying data set in the sensor with the assistance of a signing algorithm;

transmitting of the first signature not in cleartext from the measurement transmitter to the sensor and checking in the sensor, whether the first signature matches the second signature by using a question and answer game;

transmitting of the second signature not in cleartext from the sensor to the measurement transmitter and checking in the measurement transmitter, whether the second signature matches the first signature by using a question and answer game;

if the two signatures match, the measurement transmitter and the sensor are compatible and the measurement transmitter can access data and/or functions of the sensor,

wherein the sensor consists of one of a group of pH sensors, conductivity sensors and oxygen sensors.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the identifying data set contains data, which uniquely characterize a measurement transmitter.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

in the case of the checking, whether the two signatures match, the two signatures, respectively, are not exchanged in cleartext, but, instead, via values associated with one-way functions.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the signing algorithm in the sensor is stored in such a manner, that it is protected against read-out.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

when the two signatures do not match, minimum authorizations for data access are granted.