Patent ID: 8347094
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for using environmental data as passwords in a password protocol to secure communications in a sensor network, the computer implemented method comprising: sending, from a first sensor to a second sensor, a first message comprising a location of the first sensor and a first key, wherein the first key is encrypted using a first environmental value measured at the first sensor; sending, from the second sensor to the first sensor, a second message comprising a second key, wherein the second key is encrypted using a second environmental value measured at the second sensor, and wherein the second message further comprises a first nonce generated by the second sensor, and wherein the first nonce is encrypted using a session key shared between the first sensor and the second sensor; sending, from the first sensor to the second sensor, a third message comprising the first nonce and a second nonce generated by the first sensor, wherein the first nonce and second nonce are encrypted using the session key; verifying, at the second sensor, the first nonce; sending, from the second sensor to the first sensor, a fourth message comprising the second nonce, wherein the second nonce is encrypted using the session key; and verifying, at the first sensor, the second nonce.