Patent Abstract:
A task list server supports secure asynchronous communications between both a workstation and one or more machines. The task list server stores requests and responses initiated by either side and establishes secure communication channels used to forward the data between parties. The communication between workstation and machine may be delayed by hours or even days, depending on the work schedule and network access of both the workstation operator and machine. The machine may process requests in order from highest priority to lowest priority and from oldest to newest. Public key encryption may be used to establish secure channels between the task list server and the workstation or the one or more machines using a combination of certificate authorities including both manufacturers and owner/operators.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to communication between intermittently connected devices, and more specifically to a protocol for secure communications between field equipment and a computer server. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field equipment, or more simply, machines, such as earthmoving equipment, mining equipment, fixed installation generators, etc., are increasingly outfitted with programming and monitoring capabilities. By nature, however, such equipment is subject to both intermittent operation and intermittent network access so that reliable access to the equipment for exchange of relevant data is difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In a first embodiment, a system for securely communicating requests and responses between a workstation and a machine uses a task list server that includes the machine that is communicatively coupled to the task list server and that receives, from the task list server, an instruction corresponding to a request from the workstation, the instruction being a task instruction or a status instruction corresponding to the request. The machine may develop a response to the instruction without human operator intervention. The system may also include the task list server having executable instructions that when executed by a processor causes the task list server to establish a first communication session between the task list server and the workstation, the first communication session being mutually authenticated and encrypted. The first communication session communicates the request from the workstation to the task list server and the request includes at least one of a task or job request or a status request. Asynchronously to the first communication session, a second communication session may be established between the task list server and the machine, the second communication session is mutually authenticated and encrypted. The second communication session communicates the response to the instruction from the machine to the task list server. 
     In another embodiment, a system for securely communicating requests and responses between a workstation and a machine includes a task list server that has a server processor and a communication port coupled to the server processor. The communication port supports secure and authenticated session-based communications between the task list server and the workstation and between the task list server and the machine. The task list server also includes a memory configured to store operational data, keys, and executable commands for execution on the server processor that cause the task list server to store data and communicate data traffic over the communication port. The system also includes a machine that has a machine processor, a machine communication port coupled to the machine processor and is communicatively coupled to the communication port of the task list server. The machine further includes a memory configured to store executable commands for execution on the machine processor that implement i) a communication routine that receives an instruction from the task list server, ii) a queue storing the instruction received from the task list server and a response to the instruction for sending sent to the task list server, and iii) a dispatch routine that causes the instruction to be executed and determines the response to the instruction. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of asynchronous communication between a plurality of workstations and a plurality of machines using a task list server includes establishing a first communication session between the task list server and a workstation, receiving, at the task list server, a request from the workstation, where the request includes at least one of a status request for a status at one or more of the plurality of machines or a job request to be executed at the one or more of the plurality of machines and storing the request in a queue at the task list server. The method further includes establishing a second communication session between the task list server and a one machine of the plurality of machines, determining that the queue has a stored request for the one machine, dispatching, to the one machine, an instruction corresponding to the stored request in the queue, marking the stored request in the queue as pending, and disconnecting the second communication session. The method may also include establishing a third communication session between the task list server and the one machine, receiving from the one machine a response to the instruction, storing the response in the queue at the task list server, and sending, from the task list server to an authenticated workstation, a status message corresponding to the response stored in the queue. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a system diagram illustrating components supporting a secure machine-to-machine protocol; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating message flow in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary task list server; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary workstation; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary processing module of a machine; and 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are a flow chart of an exemplary method of secure machine-to-machine communication. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  that supports a secure machine-to-machine protocol. The system  10  may include a task list server  12  and one or more workstations  14 ,  16 . The system  10  may also include a machine  18  that may include a processing module  20 . A second machine  22  and its associated processing module  24  are used to illustrate that any number of machines may be supported by the system  10 . The task list server  12  and workstation  16  may be connected by a network  26  that may include a public or private local area network. The task list server  12  may be connected to the workstation  14  by a wide area network  28 , that may include the Internet. A wireless link  30  may directly connect the task list server  12  to machine  18 . Alternatively, the task list server  12  may communicate with a machine, such as machine  22 , via a wireless link  32  coupled to the wide area network  28 , and may include a cellular telephone network, a satellite network, a private data system, etc. In other embodiments, a hardwired connection  34  may couple the machine  22  to the task list server  12  either via the wide area network  28  or directly with the task list server  12  (not depicted). 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating message flow between elements of the system  10  of  FIG. 1 . Four general categories of communication are depicted in  FIG. 2  representing bidirectional communication between the task list server  12  and workstation  16  or between the task list server  12  and machine  18 . It will be understood that a plurality of workstations, task list servers, and machines are supported by the system  10  but for the sake of clarity of illustration the descriptions will generally be confined to a single instance of each element. 
     Communication from the workstation  16  to the task list server  12  is referred to as a request  42 . Communication from the task list server  12  to the machine  18  is referred to as an instruction  44 . It is understood that the contents of a particular request  42  and its corresponding instruction  44  may be identical and are at least related, but are separately named for ease of referencing in the following description. Communication from the machine  18  to the task list server  12  is referred to as a response  46 . Communication from the task list server  12  to the workstation  16  is referred to as a status message  48 . Similarly, it is understood that the contents of the response  46  and the status message  48  may be identical and are at least related but are separately named for the purpose of description. 
     The task list server  12  may include one or more machine specific queues  50 ,  52 . As described in more detail below, the queues  50 ,  52  are used to manage communication traffic between workstation  16  and one or more machines, such as machine  18 , particularly in view of the intermittent access by the either the workstation  16  or the machine  18 . Similar queues  54 ,  56  for traffic intended for one or more workstations may also be supported at the task list server  12 . 
     One or more additional task list servers  58  may be included in the system for the sake of redundancy, backup, load sharing, etc. In the following description for the sake of clarity, the task list server  12  will be described in the singular with the understanding that one or more task list servers  58  may be used in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary task list server  12 . The task list server  12  may include a processor  72  and a memory  74  coupled by an internal bus  76 . The internal bus  76  may further connect the processor  72  to a communication port  78  as well as user interface elements such as a display  80  and user input  82 , for example, a keyboard and mouse. The communication port  78  may be coupled to the network  26 . As discussed in  FIG. 1 , the communication port  78  may optionally support communication via a wireless network  30  such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, etc. 
     The memory  74  may include one or more modules such as an operating system  84  and utilities  86  that may be used in diagnostics, maintenance, status reporting, etc. The memory  74  may also include one or more modules that when executed by the processor  72  may implement functions associated with secure machine-two-machine communication. These modules may include, but are not limited to, task list management  88 , a Web server  90 , and optional data such as machine configuration  92  and/or support for a workstation user interface  94 . The memory  74  may also include keys and certificates  96  used for secure channel set up, endpoint authentication, and user authentication as required. 
     Task list manager  88  may include executable code that receives and sends communications between the workstation  16  and the machine  18 . For example, in one embodiment, a request may be stored on a machine-specific outbound queue at the task list server  12  and responses may be stored in a workstation-specific outbound queue at the task list server  12 . In another embodiment, only machine-specific inbound or workstation-specific inbound queues may be used and the task list manager  88  may query each queue when looking for messages destined for a particular workstation  16  or machine  18 . In such an embodiment, communications are stored in queues specific to where the communication came from, rather than queues specific to where the communications are destined, as discussed above. The task list manager  88 , or a similar function, may log the date and time of communication sessions with the machine  18  and may flag a machine that is overdue for a communication session either based on previous communication patterns or on a pre-determined schedule. 
     The web server  90  may offer a web presence to support asynchronous communication between either a machine  18  or a workstation  16 . Web services are not the only communication base that is available and others may include remote procedure call (RPC), file transfer protocol (FTP), etc. However, the asynchronous nature of a web service is particularly well-suited to this type of operation. 
     In embodiments where communication is supported via a web service, a web server  90  may be implemented. The web server  90  may support unsolicited asynchronous communication requests from either the machine  18  or the workstation  16  and may serve web pages or web-based data. In some embodiments, the web server  90 , or a utility  86  may support push communications after determining that a target machine  18  or workstation  16  is online and available. 
     Several optional functions may also be supported. Machine configuration information  92  may be maintained at the task list server  12  for each machine  18  supported. It is expected that each machine type, for example, an earthmover will support a different set of task or job requests and status requests compared to, for example, a power generator. Even within a particular machine type, different models may support slightly different job or status requests. Therefore, it is expected that such a repository of machine-specific configuration information is present somewhere in the system  10 . As shown here in  FIG. 3 , the information may reside in the task list server  12 . As discussed below, machine-specific configuration information may be stored in the workstation  16 . Alternatively, each machine  18  may store its own configuration information and may supply a list of capabilities in response to a discovery request. 
     The memory  74  may also store a workstation user interface  94 . As is known, there are many options for where the code for a workstation user interface  94  may be stored. As shown here, the workstation user interface  94  may be stored at the task list server  12 . The workstation user interface  94  may be embodied in many known formats and when the workstation client is a generic browser may include HTML, Java, or JavaScript. In other embodiments where the workstation user interface  94  is embodied in a different form, such as a thin client or a thick client, the workstation user interface  94  may be a compiled executable code that is downloaded and installed on the workstation  16 . 
     Keys and/or certificates  96  may also be stored in the memory  74  for use in establishing authenticated sessions between the task list server  12  and the workstation  16  as well as between the task list server  12  and the machine  18 . The establishment of secure communication sessions may use any of several known techniques and may include Diffie-Hellman key exchange, public and private key pairs using a trusted certificate authority (CA), derived keys based on commonly known shared keys, etc. In some embodiments, more than one CA may be involved, such as a manufacturer CA and an operator CA. In these cases, some form of mutual trust may be established between the CAs. There are two primary reasons, among many, for securing communication between endpoints and for performing authentication and authorization procedures. First, status information regarding operation of a particular machine or machines may represent highly confidential business information that a business would seek to protect from disclosure to a competitor either through direct query or by eavesdropping. Second, and of perhaps greater concern, is protection from potentially malicious access that seeks to disrupt productivity or even sabotage operation by, for example, placing the targeted machine in a maintenance mode. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary workstation  16 . The workstation  16  may be any conventional computer that for some embodiments supports at least a browser. This may include servers and desktop units as well as laptops, tablets, smart phones etc. The workstation  16  may include a processor  102  connected to a memory  104  by an internal data bus  106 . The processor  102  may also be connected to a communication port  108  for use in communication with the task list server  12  via a network, for example, network  26 . The workstation  16  may include a display  110  and other user input equipment  112  such as, but not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touchscreen (not depicted). 
     In some embodiments, removable media  114  may be used to install various configuration elements to the memory  104 , to transport results information, or for data backup. The memory  104  may include an operating system  116 , various utilities  118  that may also include a browser, and several optional elements. Particularly in those embodiments where local executable code is stored in the memory  104 , those optional elements may include data such as a response log  120 , a request queue  122 , machine configuration  124 , and user interface code  126 , although other configurations may be supported. 
     The response log  120  may include information status message information received from one or more machines, such as machine  18 . In some embodiments, previously submitted requests may be stored locally so that an analysis of outstanding requests can be performed locally and/or to allow various metrics to be collected after a particular status message corresponding to a previously submitted request is received. This analysis may include response times, successful completions of task or job requests, etc. 
     When off-line operation is supported, the request queue  122  may store both job requests and status requests for transmission to the task list server  12  after a network connection with the task list server is established. Machine configuration information  124  may be the same as or similar to machine configuration information  92  found in some embodiments at the task list server  12 . In an embodiment, machine-specific configuration information  124  may only be downloaded to the workstation  16  at the time a user expresses an interest in sending a request to a particular machine  18 . The user interface code  126  may be downloaded code, such as JavaScript associated with a browsing session, or permanently installed code associated with, for example, off-line generation of task or status message requests that would be communicated to the task list server  12  upon establishment of a network connection. As above, keys and/or certificates  128  may be used to perform authorization, authentication, and transmission security functions. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary processing module  20  of a machine  18 . The processing module  20  may include a processor  152  and a memory  154  that is coupled to the processor  152  via a bus  156 . Also coupled to the processor  152  via the bus  156  may be a communication port  158  for communication via a network  28  or another similar network. 
     In an embodiment, one or more engine or body electronics or sensors  160  may be coupled to the processing module  20  either directly to the bus  156 , via communication port  158 , or via another connection (not depicted). The engine or body electronics or sensors  160  may include engine control modules, chassis control modules, load sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, voltage or current sensors, etc. Communication between the processing module  20  and these various elements of machine  18  may be used to develop responses to instructions received from the task list server  12 . 
     The memory  154  may include, as discussed above, an operating system  162  and utilities  164 . The memory  154  may also include a communication routine  166  for use in communicating both between the processing module  20  and the task list server  12  as well as the module  20  and the various engine or body electronics and sensors  160 . A priority manager  168  may be used to prioritize the sequence in which instructions received from the task list server  12  are executed, based on a priority associated with a particular instruction, a date and time prioritization, or a combination of the two. In other embodiments, additional prioritization characteristics may be included, such as the time required to develop a response so that a simple data gathering such as a coolant temperature may be performed before a calculated response such as drawbar pull. In another embodiment, execution of an instruction for which there is not enough data may be de-prioritized. To illustrate, a request for work cycle productivity may need to be delayed until the first work cycle is completed. 
     An instruction/response queue  172  may be used to store instructions received from the task list server  12 , to store prioritization information about the instructions, and to store response information pending transmission to the task list server  12 . In another embodiment, separate queues (not depicted) may be used for inbound and outbound data. The instruction/response queue  172  may include a time reference (not depicted) for use in logging instructions received for use by the priority manager  168  in prioritizing execution order. Other sources of time may be used. After connection to the task list server, response information stored in an outbound queue may be cleared after a confirmation of receipt message is received from the task list server  12 . As discussed above, keys and certificates  174  may be used to perform authorization, authentication, and transmission security functions. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an exemplary method  200  of secure machine-to-machine communication. The portion of the method  200  illustrated in  FIG. 6  may be particularly relevant to an initial round of communication when no previous requests have been made and no responses may be pending. However, other embodiments of the method  200  may perform the steps in a slightly different order. At block  202 , a communication session is established between task list server  12  and the workstation  16 . The communication session may be initiated at the workstation  16  responsive to user activity at the workstation  16 , for example, by connecting a browser to the web server  90 . Other activities that support establishment of a communication session between the task list server  12  and the workstation  16  may also be supported. 
     In creating the communication session, several steps may be followed to help ensure that the session is secure. For example, a secure channel using, for example, HTTPS may first be established to prevent eavesdropping. Then, for authentication purposes, a nonce may be generated at each end and signed by the local device&#39;s private key and through a number of exchanges may be verified at the remote device using the local device&#39;s public key. Verification of the certificate containing the public key at a certificate authority (not depicted) may also be performed. Alternatively, a shared secret may be used to authenticate both parties in the communication session. Once each side has authenticated the other, authorization information such as user login credentials may be supplied by the workstation  16  and verified at the task list server  12 . In an alternate embodiment, each machine  18  may have trusted user information programmed into the processing module  20 , so that the task list server may save and forward some form of user authentication information during that portion of the method  200 . 
     At block  204  the task list server  12  may receive a request from the workstation  16 . Numerous kinds of requests may be supported and may include a request for a status at the machine  18  or a request for a task to be executed at the machine  18 . For example, a status request may include a request for operating hours, payload information, fuel status, etc. Exemplary task or job requests may include resetting a log value, initiating a catalytic converter recharge cycle, or even downloading updates to an engine controller. Each request may have a priority assigned to the request at the time the request is created at the workstation  16 . In an embodiment, the priority may be assigned or changed any time after the request is received at the task list server  12  up until the associated instruction is executed at the machine  18 , given the appropriate communication session availability. Grouping of machines may also be supported to allow mass requests by a workstation  18  targeting a number of machines. In such an embodiment, the task list server  12  would have to manage each request separately due to possible differences in connectivity between the task list server  12  and individual machines. 
     At block  206  the task list server  12  may store the request received from the workstation  16  in a machine specific-queue at the task list server  12 . In another embodiment, the request may be stored in a workstation-specific queue or even just a general delivery queue where either of the latter are reviewed upon connection with a specific machine  18 . At this point, the communication session between the task list server  12  and the workstation  16  may be ended, although in some embodiments the communication session may be relatively persistent and last through several cycles of communication based on network availability and session timeout requirements. In other embodiments, certain communication session related data may be stored, such as session identifiers, so that when a communication channel is available, the communication session may be restored more quickly than negotiating a new session. However, when referred to here, ending or disconnecting a communication session is associated with completion of one or more rounds of communication and, in general, tearing down the communication session. Ending a communication session may also include a positive step taken at either the machine  18  or the workstation  16  to disconnect from a particular network, either in response completion of all pending communications or to a change in machine status that affects the ability to communicate. One example may be disconnecting a tether used for communication in preparation for transport to a worksite. 
     The dashed line between block  206  and block  208  and other similar dashed lines connecting blocks in  FIGS. 6 and 7  are provided to indicate an asynchronous action, that is, that some passage of time may occur between the execution of the blocks or that other communication sessions may occur during this time. For example, a second communication session between the workstation  16  and the task list server  12  may occur before any communication is established between the task list server  12  and the machine  18 . 
     At block  208 , a communication session may be established between the task list server  12  and the machine  18 . The communication session may be established responsive to a request from the machine  18  to establish a communication session, for example, at the completion of a workday when the machine is brought to a service center, or when a wireless connection between the machine  18  and a wireless service provider capable of supporting the session becomes available. As above, this may involve creation of a secure channel and mutual authentication. Although authorization, such as a user login, would not be expected, the machine  18  may, in some embodiments, supply additional proof of identity information beyond that used for mutual authentication. 
     For the processing module  20  to function autonomously, the processing module  20  must be network aware and capable of periodic testing of wireless connections (if any) to determine if any approved network becomes available. The processing module  20  may also need to be sensitive to physical network connections becoming available, for example, when the machine  18  is returned to a work center and a tether attached. The processing module  20  may be initially programmed for a particular set of networks and operating conditions and then must operate independently to establish network connections, manage priorities, determine whether instructions were completed successfully or not, report responses, and implement downloaded programming changes. Programming changes may include changes to the configuration of the processing module  20  as well as changes to components of the machine  18 , such as operating limits at an engine control module (not depicted). 
     At block  210 , the task list server  12  may check a machine-specific queue for any requests pending at the task list server for the machine  18 . As discussed above, different queue configurations may be used. If, at block  210 , one or more requests have been queued for the machine  18 , the “yes” branch from block  210  may be taken to block  212 . 
     At block  212 , queued requests may be reformatted as necessary and dispatched to the machine  18  in the form of instructions. As noted above, the use of the terms request and instruction are semantic and used in illustrating of the concepts disclosed. 
     At block  214 , the request in the queue may be marked as pending, indicating that the request has been dispatched to the machine  18  but that no response has been received. 
     At block  216 , any responses or other status information pending at the machine  18  may be forwarded from the machine  18  to the task list server  12  and placed in an appropriate queue on the task list server  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, responses may be stored in a queue specific to the workstation  16  that either placed the request or which has been designated by the machine  18 . As to the latter, the machine  18  may generate some outbound responses that are machine initiated, such as an alarm condition. In that case, the machine  18  may designate a destination for the message. In an embodiment, the destination may be name only, such as “urgent maintenance” and the task list server  12  may resolve the name to a particular destination. 
     Returning to block  210 , if there are no queued requests for the machine  18 , the “no” branch from block  210  may be taken to block  216  and executed as described above. 
     The method illustrated in  FIG. 6  continues at  FIG. 7  as noted by the “A” designator.  FIG. 7  illustrates a continuation of method  200  of  FIG. 6  and may be directed to subsequent communication sessions between the task list server  12  and the endpoints, machine  18  and workstation  16 . 
     At block  218 , communication may be established between the task list server  12  and the machine  18 . At block  220 , a determination may be made as to whether there are responses queued at the machine  18  for uploading to the task list server  12 . If so, the “yes” branch from block  220  may be taken to block  222 . 
     At block  222 , responses corresponding to request/instructions previously delivered from the task list server  12  may be uploaded to the task list server  12 . At block  224 , following confirmation of the receipt of the response, items in the response queue  172  of  FIG. 5  may be cleared or otherwise marked as delivered. At block  226 , any instructions pending at the task list server  12  may be delivered to the machine  18 , and, optionally, the communication session may be ended. 
     If, at block  220 , there are no queued responses at the machine  18 , execution may take the “no” branch from block  220  to block  226 , where execution continues as described above with respect to block  226 . 
     Asynchronously to block  226 , at block  228 , when a network connection is available, a communication session may be established between the task list server  12  and the workstation  16  as described above. 
     At block  230 , when responses are queued at the task list server  12  for the workstation  16 , the “yes” branch may be taken to block  232 . At block  232 , the responses in the form of status messages may be sent to the workstation  16 . At block  234 , the task list server  12  may mark the queued responses as sent following confirmation of delivery. The queued responses may be deleted following delivery, but in other embodiments, the delivered responses may be archived at the task list server  12 . 
     At block  236 , any requests pending at the workstation  16  may be delivered to the task list server  12  and, as discussed above with respect to block  206 , those requests may be queued for delivery to the machine  18 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In general, the ability to ability to asynchronously queue requests/instructions and responses/status messages between a workstation and a machine gives a new level of flexibility to machine owners, operators and other authorized parties for communication with the machine. Many worksites are inherently under construction and may not have a mature communication infrastructure in place. In other applications, such as mining, a machine may be in such a harsh communication environment that no data transfers are possible at all until the machine is physically moved to a different location, such as above ground. 
     Similarly, on the workstation side, modem communications equipment such as tablets and smart phones allow mobility among workers that was previously unheard of. However, even with these advances, coverage gaps, building interiors, tunnels, airplane restrictions, etc., make ubiquitous and uninterrupted communication access unachievable. Therefore, the services offered by the above-disclosed system and method may provide an important link between a human user and a machine with no user interface or, in some cases, with no user. 
     Unlike a simple email client, or other supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment such as a smart electric meter, a processing module in the machine may be capable of determining network availability, establishing connections, performing authentication and authorizations as needed, and manage its own instruction queue, as well as manage collecting data and sending the data, all without human user involvement. These features allow machine diagnostics, work site information transfers, and programming changes to be accomplished, in many cases without the machine being taken out of service and without distracting an operator or on-site maintenance technician. Because a machine may have limited computational power or may have a limited number of free cycles for execution and reporting of instructions received from the task list server, the processing module benefits from the ability to manage its own queue and arrange the sequence in which instructions are performed according to an assigned priority, the date and time of the request, or other assignable criteria.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7