Patents by Inventor Edward Snow Willis

Edward Snow Willis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10776096
    Abstract: A method at a computing device acting as a switchboard between an electronic device and a device to be updated, the method including receiving, at the computing device, a connection request from the electronic device, the connection request including an identifier for the device to be updated; receiving, at the computing device, a connection request from the device to be updated; associating, at the computing device, the connection request from the electronic device and the connection request from the device to be updated; forwarding, at the computing device, a message from the device to be updated to the electronic device that update conditions have been met; forwarding, at the computing device, a message from the electronic device to the device to be updated to start an update process; and forwarding, at the computing device, update status information from the device to be updated to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Scott Hutchens, David Alan Inglis
  • Patent number: 10771450
    Abstract: A method at a computing device for provisioning a network-connected device within a security platform, the method including receiving a first connection request, the first connection request being from an electronic apparatus and including a network-connected device identifier; authenticating the first connection request, thereby creating a first connection; receiving a second connection request, the second connection request being from the network-connected device and including the network-connected device identifier and a shared platform credential; receiving a request from the network-connected device to add the network-connected device to the security platform; and adding the network-connected device to the security platform based on a concurrent first connection and the request from the network-connected device to add the network-connected device to the security platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Scott Hutchens, David Alan Inglis
  • Publication number: 20200271469
    Abstract: In some examples, a system determines a baseline of at least one route segment based on measurement data received from a plurality of vehicles. The system receives first measurement data of a first vehicle that has traveled along the at least one route segment, and compares the first measurement data to the baseline. Based on the comparing, the system determines whether operation of the first vehicle is within an acceptable tolerance of a performance criterion, and determines whether the at least one route segment is an undesirable route segment according to a route criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Andrew Kugler, Paulo Eduardo Garcia
  • Patent number: 10754714
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided relating to taking an action in response to determining that a person who is present in the vicinity of the device, such as a smart speaker, is not authorized to be present. In an aspect, the electronic device receives the notification and a topic identifier associated with the notification. Information identifying persons located in the vicinity of the electronic device may be received. The device may then receive and/or determine information identifying at least one person located within the vicinity who is not authorized, based on the topic identifier, to be present in the vicinity when the notification is to be outputted. The device generates an output signal indicating receipt of the notification and that there is at least one person present in the vicinity who is not authorized to be present when the notification is to be outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Edward Snow Willis, David Brian Seel, Melanie Arlene Barker, Andrew Kugler, David Noel Vanden Heuvel, Andrew Frank Young
  • Publication number: 20200260379
    Abstract: A method at a module within a sensor system for updating a timing profile, the method including: turning on a radio of the sensor module for a first time duration; detecting signals from other modules within the sensor system; for each signal, storing data comprising a time such signal is received and an identifier for a module sending such signal; sending the data to a server; and receiving the timing profile from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Hashim Mohammad QADERI, Edward Snow WILLIS, Yuhui LIU, Michael Peter MONTEMURRO
  • Patent number: 10719309
    Abstract: A computer system includes a processor, a communications subsystem, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions that when executed by the processor adapt the computer system to receive an indication of a second device selected, at a first device, for update; send an indication signalling the second device to send state information about the second device; receive state information about the second device; determine, based on the state information, that the second device is ready to perform an update; send, to the first device, an indication that the second device is ready to perform the update; receive, from the first device, an indication to update the second device; and, send a corresponding indication to the second device. The second device is configured to begin updating in response to such an indication without any direct interaction with it. Related methods and computer-readable media are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, David Alan Inglis, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Scott Hutchens, Christopher Scott Travers, Conrad Delbert Seaman
  • Patent number: 10674443
    Abstract: A method at a module within a sensor system for updating a timing profile, the method including: turning on a radio of the sensor module for a first time duration; detecting signals from other modules within the sensor system; for each signal, storing data comprising a time such signal is received and an identifier for a module sending such signal; sending the data to a server; and receiving the timing profile from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Edward Snow Willis, Yuhui Liu, Michael Peter Montemurro
  • Patent number: 10667057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking users within a facility. The facility includes two or more zones and each facility zone is associated with a respective acoustic device. The system includes a communication module, a processor, and memory storing processor executable instructions. The instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: receive a first acoustic input from a first acoustic device associated with a first zone and determine that the first acoustic input is associated with a first user. The instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to associate the first acoustic input with the first user. Using contextual data of the first user, the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to confirm the association of the first acoustic input with the first user and associate a location of the first user with the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Edward Snow Willis
  • Publication number: 20200122736
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller receives information of a route of a vehicle, and selects a first parameter set from among a plurality of parameter sets based on the route of the vehicle, the plurality of parameter sets corresponding to different conditions of usage of the vehicle, where each parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets includes one or more parameters that control adjustment of one or more respective adjustable elements of the vehicle. The controller causes application of the first parameter set to control a setting of the one or more adjustable elements of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Conrad Delbert Seaman, Claude Jean-Frederic Arzelier, Stephen McCann, Michael Peter Montemurro
  • Publication number: 20200108838
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller receives measurement data from a sensor on a vehicle, determines, based on the measurement data, a condition of usage of the vehicle, and selects a parameter set from among a plurality of parameter sets based on the determined condition of usage of the vehicle, the plurality of parameter sets corresponding to different conditions of usage of the vehicle, where each parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets includes one or more parameters that control adjustment of one or more respective adjustable elements of the vehicle. The controller causes application of the selected parameter set on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Yuhui Liu, Ning Erin Ren, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Prabhul Dev, Karthik Velakur Sambamoorthy, Parvez Ahmed, Eric Yeung, Evgueni Eugene Markine, Scott Hutchens
  • Patent number: 10569786
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller receives measurement data from a sensor on a vehicle, determines, based on the measurement data, a condition of usage of the vehicle, and selects a parameter set from among a plurality of parameter sets based on the determined condition of usage of the vehicle, the plurality of parameter sets corresponding to different conditions of usage of the vehicle, where each parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets includes one or more parameters that control adjustment of one or more respective adjustable elements of the vehicle. The controller causes application of the selected parameter set on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Yuhui Liu, Ning Erin Ren, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Prabhul Dev, Karthik Velakur Sambamoorthy, Parvez Ahmed, Eric Yeung, Evgueni Eugene Markine, Scott Hutchens
  • Publication number: 20200042301
    Abstract: A computer system includes a processor, a communications subsystem, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions that when executed by the processor adapt the computer system to receive an indication of a second device selected, at a first device, for update; send an indication signalling the second device to send state information about the second device; receive state information about the second device; determine, based on the state information, that the second device is ready to perform an update; send, to the first device, an indication that the second device is ready to perform the update; receive, from the first device, an indication to update the second device; and, send a corresponding indication to the second device. The second device is configured to begin updating in response to such an indication without any direct interaction with it. Related methods and computer-readable media are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, David Alan Inglis, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Scott Hutchens, Christopher Scott Travers, Conrad Delbert Seaman
  • Publication number: 20190387378
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to provide inter-vehicle data communications for multimedia content. In some aspects, a method is disclosed comprising: receiving, at a first vehicle, a multimedia content request message from a second vehicle, wherein the multimedia content request message indicates a target location at which multimedia content is requested; determining, a current location of the first vehicle; in response to determining that the current location matching the target location, generating the multimedia content; and transmitting, by the first vehicle, the multimedia content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow WILLIS, Kristian Neil SPRIGGS, Sameh AYOUB
  • Patent number: 10477600
    Abstract: A hub device that monitors characteristics of a transportation platform, such as a tractor trailer used for transporting goods, may establish connections with a plurality of external sensors. In order to simplify the pairing process between the hub devices and the external sensors, the hub device may be receiving IDs of the sensors to pair to from a remote server. A technician may physically scan tags, for example a barcode or an NFC tag, of the sensors and hub device, which are then transmitted to the remote server in order to identify which hub and sensors should be paired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Sameh Ayoub, Christopher Stubbs, David Kerr
  • Publication number: 20190318631
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to provide inter-vehicle data communications for drafting operations. In some aspects, a method is disclosed comprising: selecting, by a hardware processor of a first vehicle, a second vehicle as a candidate for a drafting group; receiving, from the second vehicle, a drafting capability indication; in response to receiving the drafting capability indication, transmitting, from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, a drafting request; receiving, from the second vehicle, a drafting response; determining, by the hardware processor of the first vehicle, to establish the drafting group including the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and transmitting, from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, a drafting confirmation, wherein the drafting confirmation indicates that the first vehicle agrees to establish the drafting group with the second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Conrad Delbert SEAMAN, Edward Snow WILLIS, Christopher Scott TRAVERS
  • Publication number: 20190313204
    Abstract: A method at a network element for creating a geofence shape, the method including creating a geofenced area based on location information, the geofenced area having a default shape and size; receiving from a sensor apparatus, an event report, the event report including a location; associating the location of the event report with the geofenced area; determining that a number of event reports associated with the geofenced area exceeds a threshold; and creating a geofence shape for the geofenced area based on locations of the event reports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Sameh AYOUB, Edward Snow WILLIS
  • Patent number: 10403103
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining tampering at a device coupled to a moveable object includes receiving a plurality of orientation states of the device, the plurality of orientation states measured by an orientation sensor, determining, based on the received orientation states, at least two expected orientation states, receiving a further orientation state of the device measured by the orientation sensor, in response to determining that the further orientation state differs from the at least two expected orientation states, generating a tamper alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Kugler, Ryan Michael Parker, Edward Snow Willis
  • Publication number: 20190268367
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to provide secure inter-vehicle data communications. In some aspects, a method, comprising: receiving, at a security server and from a hardware security processor connected to a system bus of a vehicle, security confidence data of the vehicle, wherein the security confidence data include at least one of version information of a software code executing on a component of the vehicle, diagnostic data information of the vehicle, or data traffic pattern information of the vehicle; determining, at the security server, a security confidence score of the vehicle; receiving, at the security server, a query from a different vehicle; and in response to the query, transmitting the confidence score of the vehicle to the different vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow WILLIS, Christopher Scott TRAVERS, Conrad Delbert SEAMAN
  • Publication number: 20190222569
    Abstract: A method at a computing device for provisioning a network-connected device within a security platform, the method including receiving a first connection request, the first connection request being from an electronic apparatus and including a network-connected device identifier; authenticating the first connection request, thereby creating a first connection; receiving a second connection request, the second connection request being from the network-connected device and including the network-connected device identifier and a shared platform credential; receiving a request from the network-connected device to add the network-connected device to the security platform; and adding the network-connected device to the security platform based on a concurrent first connection and the request from the network-connected device to add the network-connected device to the security platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Edward Snow WILLIS, Hashim Mohammad QADERI, Scott HUTCHENS, David Alan INGLIS
  • Publication number: 20190220265
    Abstract: A method at a computing device acting as a switchboard between an electronic device and a device to be updated, the method including receiving, at the computing device, a connection request from the electronic device, the connection request including an identifier for the device to be updated; receiving, at the computing device, a connection request from the device to be updated; associating, at the computing device, the connection request from the electronic device and the connection request from the device to be updated; forwarding, at the computing device, a message from the device to be updated to the electronic device that update conditions have been met; forwarding, at the computing device, a message from the electronic device to the device to be updated to start an update process; and forwarding, at the computing device, update status information from the device to be updated to the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Edward Snow WILLIS, Hashim Mohammad QADERI, Scott HUTCHENS, David Alan INGLIS