Securing communications with robots

• US 8,612,051 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovation First Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innovation First Incorporated
• Inventors: Norman, David Anthony, Mimlitch, Robert H. III, Chitwood, Corey Lee, Torrance, Richard D., Lambert, Mark J., Martus, Brandon Lee, Heath, Lester E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Jen, Ian
• Application Number:
  US12/106,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,066 Days
• Field of Search: 700/245, 700/246, 700/247, 700/248, 700/250, 700/251, 700/253, 700/256, 700/257, 700/258, 700/259, 700/261, 700/264, 700/96, 701/23, 701/25, 701/28, 180/168, 180/169, 180/8.1, 180/8.6, 318/568.1, 318/568.11, 318/568.12, 318/568.13, 318/568.14, 318/568.15, 318/568.16, 318/587, 707/999.003, 707/999.004, 707/E17.108, 901/1, 901/2, 901/22, 901/23, 901/43, 901/45, 901/46, 901/47, 901/50, 901/6, 901/7, 901/9
• US Class Current: 700/248
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/062 for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing communications with robots. In some implementations, a computer network, where operators interface with the network to control movement of robots on a wireless computer network includes a network arena controller and a plurality of robot controllers. The network arena controller is configured to provide firewall policies to substantially secure communication between robot controllers and the associated robots. Each controller is included in a different robot and configured to wirelessly communicate with the network arena controller. Each robot controller executes firewall policies to substantially secure wireless communication.

Claims

1. In a computer network for controlling robot operator stations, where the operator stations interface with the network to control movement of robots on a wireless computer network, the computer network comprising:

a communication network comprising a network arena controller configured to provide firewall policies to substantially secure communication between operator stations and the associated robots; and

each of a plurality of robot controllers is included in a different robot and configured to wirelessly communicate with said network arena controller, wherein each robot controller executes firewall policies to substantially secure wireless communication;

said network arena controller being configured to provide quality of service features to limit wired network traffic with the robot controllers or wireless network traffic with robots in a robot competition, the plurality of robot controllers being further configured to execute quality of service features to limit outbound wireless network traffic;

said network arena controller being further configured to store network addresses and security keys in each robot controller for subsequent use in wireless network login and communication; and

wherein said network area controller being further configured to control said robot controllers for the following events;

expiration of time, an end of a match in a competition, a status of a robot, a status of the network, or a status of an operator station.

2. A computer network, where operator stations interfacing with the network are operable to control movement of robots on a wireless computer network, comprising:

a communication network comprising a network arena controller configured to update network security settings in a plurality of robot wireless communication devices in response to at least an event; and

the plurality of robot wireless communication devices with each communication device connected to a robot and configured to automatically update security setting associated with the connected robot in response to receiving a signal from said network arena controller including the updated network security settings from the communication network;

wherein said at least one event comprises an expiration of time, an end of a match in a competition, a status of a robot, a status of the network, or a status of an operator station.