Securing communication within a network endpoint
AssigneeLandis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
InventorsRuben Salazar, Stephen Chasko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for securing communication within a network endpoint, for example, a meter. The meter may include a communication module and a metrology module where the modules are connected via a communication path that is external to both modules. The modules exchange a pairing key to establish a paired channel of communication. When the communication module receives a communication through a network for establishing a secure channel to the endpoint, the communications module sends some or all of the security data to the metrology module to establish a secure communication from a head-end system through the communication module to the metrology module.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- receiving a communication through a network by a communication module, the communication containing security data sent to an endpoint for establishing a secure channel through the network to the endpoint, the endpoint comprising the communication module and a metrology module, the communication module and the metrology module connected via a communication path that externally links the communication module and the metrology module, wherein the communication path provides a paired channel of communication between the communication module and the metrology module;
- sending the security data from the communication module to the metrology module by transmitting the security data through the paired channel;
- receiving network data by the communication module through the secure channel of the network;
- and
- sending the network data received by the communication module to the metrology module via the paired channel.
A network endpoint comprising:
- a communication module configured to communicate with a network and to communicate with a metrology module;
- and
- the metrology module configured to measure consumption of a resource;
- wherein the communication module and the metrology module are connected via a communication path which externally links the communication module and the metrology module, the communication path providing a paired channel, the paired channel configured to provide protected communication between the communication module and the metrology module;
- wherein a communication is received by the communication module through the network requesting a secure channel to the network endpoint;
- and
- wherein the communication received by the communication module is transmitted to the metrology module through the paired channel.
A method for securely communicating with an endpoint, comprising:
- providing a pairing key at a communication module associated with the endpoint;
- providing the pairing key at a second module associated with the endpoint, wherein the communication module and the second module communicate via a communication path;
- receiving a communication by the communication module that includes security data for establishing a secure channel to the endpoint;
- sending the security data from the communication module to the second module by sending a communication to the second module using the pairing key;
- receiving a secure communication by the communication module through the secure channel of the network;
- and
- sending the secure communication received by the communication module to the second module using the pairing key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.