Secure control of a wireless sensor network via the internet

A system comprising:

• a wireless sensor network;
• a remote control module directly connected to the wireless sensor network and adapted to exchange signals with the wireless sensor network via a base station, the remote control module including a broadband interface to the Internet;
• a portal coupled to the Internet, the portal including an application for configuring and initializing the wireless sensor network;
• and
• a user interface coupled to the Internet and adapted to communicate with the portal via the Internet;
• wherein the user interface and the portal are remotely located from the remote control module, from the wireless sensor network, and from each other;
• wherein a secure connection between the remote control module and the portal via the Internet is initiated from the remote control module, thereby enabling control of the wireless sensor network from the user interface via the portal;
• and
• wherein communication between the remote control network and the portal is encrypted.

A method for controlling a wireless sensor network coupled to a local remote control module from an Internet-based user interface, the method comprising:

• accessing an Internet-based portal from the user interface;
• establishing a secure Internet connection between the remote control module and the portal, the establishment of the secure connection being initiated via the Internet by the remote control module;
• and
• denying, by the remote control module, any attempted connection via the Internet to the remote control module not initiated by the remote control module;
• wherein the user interface and the portal are remotely located from the remote control module, from the wireless sensor network, and from each other.