Systems and methods for security in a wireless utility network
US8756675B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/0823
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and systems a provided for security in a wireless utility network. The methods and systems use different levels of trust to securely enroll new nodes into a network through other nodes acting as proxies. A node's security state with respect to another node in the network is categorized into one of several trust levels. A node responds to certain requests, actions or messages depending based on its trust level with the other entity. Initially, a node is not trusted. A first trust level is established based on a digital certificate that is stored in a node when the node is manufactured. A second trust level is established based on a second digital certificate obtained from a certifying authority while a node is in the first trust level. A node with a verified second certificate can be fully enrolled in the network and participate as a network node with minimal or no constraints.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.