Intermediary Monitoring Device for Isolated Utility Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility monitoring devices, such as power monitoring systems, are often isolated from the Internet for security reasons, making it difficult for users to receive firmware updates and notifications automatically, as they cannot directly communicate with manufacturer or third-party vendor websites to access relevant software updates and notifications.
Innovation Solution
A method where a monitoring device communicates with a computer over a private network, which in turn communicates with a server over an external network, using a browser application to access device web pages, store device information, and transmit this information as a file or cookie to the server, allowing device-specific information to be shared without compromising security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monitoring devices are isolated from the Internet for security purposes, then security is improved, but automatic receipt of firmware updates and notifications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a monitoring device that can access the Internet and a local network that acts as a mediator between the Internet and the isolated monitoring devices. The intermediary monitoring device receives firmware updates and notifications from the manufacturer's server via the Internet, then transmits this information through the local network to the isolated monitoring devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between security isolation and information receipt.
2Reliability
If monitoring devices cannot communicate directly with manufacturer websites, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the intermediary monitoring device automatically queries the manufacturer's server for firmware updates and notifications without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously manages the information flow from the Internet to the isolated monitoring devices, eliminating the need for users to manually locate and download updates while maintaining security isolation.
3Reliability
If monitoring devices are isolated from the Internet, then security is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into three distinct parts: the Internet, an intermediary monitoring device with Internet access, and the isolated monitoring devices on the local network. This segmentation allows the isolated monitoring devices to maintain their security isolation while still receiving software updates through the intermediary device that bridges the two networks, thereby preserving adaptability without compromising security.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring device is in communication with a computer, including a memory, over a first network. The computer is further in communication with a server over a second network. A method for providing device information from the monitoring device to the server includes accessing a device web page stored on the monitoring device using a browser application operating on the computer. The monitoring device measures a utility characteristic and stores data indicative of the utility characteristic on a memory. The method further includes receiving a file from the monitoring device, including the device information. The device information includes at least device model information that identifies a model or type of the monitoring device. The method further includes storing the file in the memory of the computer, accessing a server web page stored on the server using the browser application operating on the computer, and transmitting the file to the server.