US 11973864

US Patent 11973864: Concise Summary

Title: Systems and methods for “machine-to-machine” (M2M) communications between modules, servers, and an application using public key infrastructure (PKI)

Assignee: The current assignees are Network 1 Technologies Inc and M2M and IoT Technologies LLC.

Inventor: John A. Nix

Filing Date: 2023-02-20

Issue Date: 2024-04-30

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for secure and efficient communication between a module, a server, and an application. In one embodiment, the system uses public key infrastructure (PKI) where the module utilizes a module private key and a module public key, and the server utilizes a server private key and a server public key, where the server public key can be signed by a certificate authority. The server can receive encrypted data from a module and forward the data to an application, where the server can translate between different cryptographic algorithms, such as elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and RSA-based cryptography, and also between different communication protocols, such as user datagram protocol (UDP) and transmission control protocol (TCP). The module can be a low power wireless module that transitions between sleep and active states. The system provides for secure and efficient communication, including allowing a module to derive a new key pair during operation and for the server to securely send parameters to the module to define a new elliptic curve for increased security.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a server-based method for secure M2M communication. It involves a server receiving data from a module using a public key of the module and then securely forwarding that data to an application server. The server can also receive instructions for the module from the application server and securely send them to the module. A key aspect is the server's ability to use different cryptographic algorithms (e.g., RSA with the application server, ECC with the module) and different communication protocols (e.g., TCP with the application server, UDP with the module) for the different communication links.

• Claim 9: This claim describes a server configured to perform the method of secure M2M communication. The server has a processor, memory, and a physical interface. It is programmed to receive encrypted data from a module, decrypt it using the module's public key, establish a secure connection with an application server, and send the module's data to the application server. It also handles receiving encrypted instructions from the application server, decrypting them, and sending them to the module in an encrypted format. The server is designed to manage different cryptographic algorithms and communication protocols for its interactions with the module and the application server.

• Claim 17: This claim describes a system for secure M2M communication. It includes a module (which can collect sensor data and has a private/public key pair), a server (with its own private/public key pair), and an application server (also with its own private/public key pair). The server acts as an intermediary, receiving data from the module encrypted with the module's public key, and then re-encrypting and sending this data to the application server. Conversely, it receives instructions for the module from the application server, decrypts them, and sends them to the module encrypted with the module's public key. The system emphasizes the use of PKI and the server's role in facilitating secure communication between potentially incompatible cryptographic or protocol environments.

USPTO and CAFC Docket Search:
A direct search of USPTO and CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 11973864 did not yield specific detailed entries in the provided search results. However, the Google Patents page for US11973864B2 indicates that there is active litigation related to this patent family, specifically:

• A PTAB case IPR2026-00116 has been filed and is pending.
• A US case (2:25-cv-00667) has been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court.