Message formatting, authentication, and error detection in home control systems
US6690289B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/123
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for communicating over electrical wiring in a house or other building is presented. Components are grouped and each group is assigned a group identifier code. Components communicates only with components of the same group, using the group identifier code. Each message includes the group identifier code, message data, and a message authentication code (MAC) that is calculated for each message. A receiving component disregards any message whose group identifier code is not the same as that of the receiving component. MACs are calculated using a shared key value and a one-way hash function. The shared key value, in turn, is taken from an ordered sequence of key values that is defined for each component group based on a counter value. To change to a new key value, one component of the group simply starts using the new key value. When a receiving component receives a message that does not.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.