Communications: electrical – Continuously variable indicating – With meter reading
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-04
2002-04-02
Crosland, Donnie L. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Continuously variable indicating
With meter reading
C340S505000, C340S514000, C340S507000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06366215
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to communications systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to communications systems wherein electrical devices in a respective system can be configured to operate with a subset of preloaded software. Additionally, the invention pertains to such systems wherein additional programs or data can be transferred between system devices in protected or encrypted form and wherein the respective device is able to assess the integrity of the received information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Communication systems which incorporate a plurality of substantially independently operating processors are known. One form of such systems is represented by those which are dedicated to monitoring or supervising predetermined regions.
One such communication system is disclosed in Tice et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,432 entitled Smoke and Fire Detection System Communication. Another is disclose in Tice U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,962 entitled Communication System and Method. Both of the noted patents are assigned to the assignee hereof and are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
While known systems are useful and have been effective, it would be desirable to more readily configure the functional structure of respective processors to carry out one or more predetermined functions utilizing a common software base. It would also be desirable to be able to provide for secure transmission of information, including programs, between processors and to be able to verify that received files or programs exhibit a predetermined level of integrity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, processors in electrical devices which are a part of a multiple processor communication system can be loaded with a variety of executable programs or data files during the manufacturing or installation cycle. At some point during the manufacturing process or at installation, one or more identifiers can be provided to each respective device.
The identifiers can, for example, be stored in non-volatile memory such as EEPROM. The identifiers link together in some fashion, determined at either the manufacturing or installation time, a plurality of the prestored executable programs and perhaps related data files which are included in a universe of programs and data files commonly loaded into the non-volatile memories, such as ROM or EEPROM memories of the respective processors.
In one aspect, the identifiers can be loaded into the device after the device has been coupled to the communications system. In such an instance, the identifier or identifiers can be transmitted from another processor in the system. Alternately, an off-line programming unit can be used to provide the necessary identifier or identifiers to the respective device. The identifier or identifiers enable the respective device to select an appropriate subset of executable programs and/or data files to be used to carry out a predetermined function.
An advantage of the above-described system and method is that during the manufacturing phase, only one type of electrical device need be manufactured to satisfy the requirements of a wide variety of installations. In one aspect, and without limitation, some of the devices can include an ambient condition sensor. Different marketable products can be created by providing different identifiers, which select among the available executable code and available data files, to provide a specific predetermined function using the same hardware.
In yet another aspect, executable code and data files can be received from another processor or processors over an associated wired or wireless communications link in the system. The received information can be transmitted in encrypted form for purposes of providing a higher degree of security.
The received information can be decrypted by the receiving processor. Subsequent to decryption, the structure and information associated with the transmission can be evaluated to insure that it exhibits a predetermined integrity level before being incorporated into the device's universe of executable programs and/or data files.
In another aspect, each device can be preprogrammed with multiple executable routines stored in non-volatile memory. The routines can be combined in various ways in order to form an over-all executable program to carry out a predetermined function. Those routines from the device's universe which are to be combined for purposes of a particular device can be specified by an identifier which links each of the desired routines to at least one other routine of a particular subset.
In another aspect, an additional level of security can be provided. A predetermined password can be stored in each of the devices associated with a particular communications system. A system password can be transmitted along with other information as part of a transmitted message.
The received system password can be compared to the prestored password at each respective device. The received communication can be responded to if the passwords match in some sense. For example, if the received communication is an executable program to be added to a respective device's universe of programs, it can then be stored in non-volatile memory.
If the passwords do not match, audible, or visible indications can be generated so that the mismatch will be addressed. For example, for those communication systems that include some form of a common operator control panel, messages can be produced at the control panel indicating that a particular device has found a mismatch between a transmitted system password and the device's prestored password.
In another aspect, a transmitting device can encrypt a message prior to transmission to increase message security. A receiving device then decrypts the received message prior to evaluating message integrity.
In yet another aspect, a method using codes embedded in the messages can be used to “bind” devices to a specific control unit in a fire alarm, security, or control system. The binding process will prevent potentially inappropriate devices designed for one system from being used in another system without taking into account different hardware and software designed for each system.
In one form, the binding code includes a KEY code, which can be provided to designate a system designer. In addition, a SITE code can be downloaded into the devices for each specific installation.
The KEY can be used to synchronize the device in looking for the SITE code according to a predetermined routine which also may be unique for the system designer. The SITE code is further encrypted with random numbers to make detection and breaking of the code more difficult.
The KEY and SITE codes are stored in protected areas of a device's processor. The SITE code can only be changed by using the old SITE code in combination with the new SITE code. The method of using KEY and SITE codes is also protected and cannot be “read” from the device's processor.
To further make it more difficult to break the codes, they can be embedded in random numbers in a system that generates excessive non-relative numbers and the KEY only occurs randomly. This is an effective process where it is not necessary to establish the correct binding immediately in the system and with every message transmitted.
The operation of the system will require that a specific message be transmitted routinely. This message will contain the numbers in which the codes are embedded.
The devices will power-up and run until a respective device determines that its binding relationship with the control unit is not correct. The device assumes that it has the correct binding until the incorrect binding is detected in the device.
Once the incorrect binding is detected in the device, it can be verified in the next binding check. If the verification confirms that the binding codes are not correct, the device will transmit appropriate mismatch signals or messages to the control unit.
The mismatch state can be reset by a hard reset of the device (i.e. removal and re-i
Hawkinson Daniel C.
Kurtz Edward J.
McCuen Steven W.
Tice Lee D.
Crosland Donnie L.
Pittway Corporation
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
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