Abstract: An example intermediary system allows a control system to securely identify and communicate with a device. The device uses master secret and time data shared with the control system to generate and advertise a time-dependent device identifier and potentially an encrypted device message. The intermediary system augments the received device data with a message (e.g., an estimate of the device's location) encrypted using the time-dependent device identifier as an encryption key. Furthermore, it hashes the time-dependent device identifier for additional security. The augmented data is provided for retrieval and processing by the control system. The owner uses the shared master secret, time data and hash function to generate a hashed time-dependent device identifier used to retrieve matching augmented data from the server. The retrieved message data is decrypted using the reverse of the encryption operations.

Abstract: An example method for the remote authorization of a gateway to communicate with a device includes accessing time interval data, specified by an owner of the device, the time interval data specifying an access authorization time interval. A calculation is performed, using at least one processor, to generate authorization data that is specific to the device and valid for the access authorization time interval. The authorization data is accessed using the gateway. A scanning function is performed using the gateway, the scanning function to locate the device. A control request is sent to device to control the device.

Abstract: An example intermediary system allows an owner computer system to securely identify and communicate with an end device. The end device uses master secret and time data shared with the owner computer system to generate and advertise a time-dependent device identifier and potentially an encrypted device message. The intermediary system augments the received device data with a message (e.g., an estimate of the device's location) encrypted using the time-dependent device identifier as an encryption key. Furthermore, it hashes the time-dependent device identifier for additional security. The augmented data is forwarded to a server for retrieval and processing by the owner computer system. The owner uses the shared master secret, time data and hash function to generate a hashed time-dependent device identifier used to retrieve matching augmented data from the server. The retrieved message data is decrypted using the reverse of the encryption operations.

Abstract: A configurable, connectorized system for providing supervisory and distributed control dramatically reduces the number of wire connections that must be made to connect sensors and actuators to a control system, reducing the number of different control hardware components required to connect one or more sensors and actuators through use of a configurable I/O module.

Abstract: A configurable, connectorized method and apparatus for driving a solenoid coil reduces energy consumption and heating of the solenoid coil, allows detection of the solenoid state, and simplifies connections to the solenoid.

Abstract: A computer-based simulator, separate from a computer process control system, that simplifies the electrical interconnection of the computer-based simulator to the computer control system and reduces the number of hardware components required to effect a computer-based simulator. The invention also facilitates remote configuration and operation of the control and simulator systems.

Abstract: A computer-based simulator, separate from a computer process control system, that simplifies the electrical interconnection of the computer-based simulator to the computer control system and reduces the number of hardware components required to effect a computer-based simulator. The invention also facilitates remote configuration and operation of the control and simulator systems.