Authentication apparatus and method for universal appliance communication controller

An authentication algorithm for an appliance communication controller in communication with an external host controller, said algorithm comprising:

• encoding a first authentication counter value upon receipt of a first message from the external host controller;
• sending the encoded counter value to the external host controller;
• decoding a second authentication counter value upon receipt of a second message from the external host controller;
• comparing the first and second authentication counter values;
• responding to the first message if the first and second authentication values match;
• and
• ignoring the first message if the first and second authentication values do not match.

An authentication algorithm for an appliance communication controller in communication with an external host controller through a network carrier, said algorithm comprising:

• maintaining an authentication counter value;
• incrementing the counter value in response to a received message from the external host controller;
• encoding the incremented authentication counter value with a first encryption key upon receipt of a message from the external host controller;
• sending the encoded counter value to the external host controller;
• decoding, with a second encryption key, a reply authentication counter value from the external host controller in response to the sent encoded value if the reply authentication value is received within a predetermined time period;
• comparing the first and second authentication counter values;
• responding to the first message if the first and second authentication values match;
• and
• ignoring the first message if the first and second authentication values do not match.

A controller comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• a power line carrier transceiver operatively coupled to said processor;
• said processor programmed to execute a two-way authentication algorithm utilizing at least a first encryption key and a second encryption key to determine authenticity of messages received by said transceiver.

An appliance communication controller comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• a transceiver operatively coupled to said processor, said processor configured to:
• generate an authentication request in response to an incoming message through said transceiver, said authentication request comprising an encoded authentication value;
• decode an authentication reply received in response to the authentication request;
• and
• based upon the decoded reply, to respond to or ignore the incoming message.

An appliance communication controller comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• a power line carrier transceiver operatively coupled to said processor, said processor configured to:
• generate an authentication request in response to an incoming message through said transceiver, said authentication request comprising a first encoded authentication counter value encoded with a first encryption key;
• decode an authentication reply with a second encryption key, when said authentication reply is received within a predetermined time period;
• said authentication reply comprising a second encoded authentication counter value;
• compare the first counter value with the second counter value;
• and
• respond to the incoming message if the first counter value matches the second counter value.