Patents by Inventor James Thomas Edward McDonnell

James Thomas Edward McDonnell 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: 8463663
    Abstract: A memory tag is a transponder device with a memory for storing digital content. Purchase-related information for a product is stored in such a memory tag. A write capability of the memory tag is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Huw Robson, Maurizio Pilu, Richard Anthony Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8123126
    Abstract: Anti-counterfeit marking for a product, comprising: a tamper evident marker attached to or integrated with a product or packaging for a product and having a random mark; and an electronic memory element containing data about the random mark, the memory element being attached to or integrated with the product or packaging for the product in a tamper evident manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Helen Balinsky, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Thomas Rathbone, Steven J Simske
  • Patent number: 8025573
    Abstract: A representational object contains a visual representation of a character and a memory tag comprising a digital memory adapted to be read from when inductively powered. The digital memory contains digital content relating to the character represented visually on the representational object. At least a part of the digital content relates to function of the character in a game carried out by a gaming application and comprises executable code for execution in connection with operation of the gaming application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stuart Phillip Stenton, Guy de Warrenne Bruce Adams, Abigail Jane Sellen, Fraser John Dickin, Richard Anthony Lawrence, James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 8001016
    Abstract: A method of verifying the authenticity of a product includes reading data from a data storage device which forms part of the packaging of the product, determining from the data an identity code for the data storage device, a random first identifier allocated to the data storage device by the product manufacturer and a digital signature of a parameter which is based on at least a second identifier not derivable from the data, communicating with the product manufacturer or an entity associated therewith using the random first identifier as a reference, receiving from the product manufacturer or the entity associated therewith the second identifier, and verifying the digital signature using the second identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Helen Balinsky, Liqun Chen, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Keith Alexander Harrison
  • Patent number: 7835724
    Abstract: A cellular communications service provider authenticates a provider of a location-dependent service, such as a wireless hotspot. Once the cellular communications service provider is aware of potential use of the service by the user, it authenticates the service provider and provides an authentication to the user. Users can thus avoid untrustworthy providers of local services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Ian Robert Johnson, Amanda Richardson
  • Patent number: 7789307
    Abstract: A memory tag has a memory. Associated with the memory tag there is a readable structure. The readable structure can be read to generate an identifier. However, the readable structure cannot be provided so as to encode a predetermined identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Martin Sadler, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Robert Francis Squibbs
  • Patent number: 7746217
    Abstract: The reading of data from a memory tag to another device, using a memory tag reader, is described. The other device has an active portion which can detect the presence and position of the memory tag reader when brought adjacent to it. The memory tag reader is brought adjacent to the memory tag and data uploaded into the memory tag reader. The memory tag reader is moved adjacent to the active portion of the other device into a position which identifies the location to which the data is to be transferred. The data is then downloaded into that location in the other device. A similar process is described for downloading data from the other device to the memory tag. Apparatus appropriate to carry out each stage of these processes is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Neil Slatter, James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7734446
    Abstract: A physical object includes a base medium, such as a paper sheet, and a memory tag embedded in it or attached to it. The memory tag stores at least one measure/location data pair including a measurement of a location-dependent characteristic of the base medium originally associated with the tag, and a location in or on the object where the measurement was made. Preferably the measure/location data pair is digitally signed and stored in encrypted form. By checking whether the measure included in the stored data pair matches a current measure of the base medium at the indicated location, it is possible to check whether the base medium is the original medium. Apparatus is provided for originally writing the data pair to the memory tag; apparatus is also provided for subsequendy using the data pair for carrying out the checking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Francis Squibbs, James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7712675
    Abstract: A physical object comprises one or more memory circuits adapted to be read wirelessly by a reader device attached to or incorporated within the physical object. Data in the memory circuit is protected from access by an unauthorised reader. Data in the memory circuit is also adapted to identify an authorised bearer of the physical object. Moreover, data in the memory circuit is adapted to allow access to a specified asset or assets by the authorised bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Helen Balinsky, Weng Wah Loh, Fraser John Dickin, Thomas Rathbone, Stefek Malkowski Zaba, Keith Alexander Harrison, John Waters, James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7715533
    Abstract: A mobile telephone of an advertiser broadcasts an advertisement over a wireless short range piconet link to a mobile telephone of a consumer. The advertisement is broadcast with a predetermined set of classification tags. The consumer phone has a filter set to accept only certain advertisements. When an advertisement of interest is received by the consumer phone it requests further details automatically via the piconet link and the advertiser phone provides the further details automatically via the piconet link. The consumer phone replies to the advertisement by sending a reply message to a broker device that changes (i.e., modifies or augments the reply message text) and communicates the changed reply message to the advertiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Salil Pradhan, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, John Deryk Waters, Peter J. Macer
  • Patent number: 7715542
    Abstract: A user is pre-qualified for a service provided at a particular location. Location data indicative of where the service is to be triggered and a service element are stored. The service instance element is a full customised instance of the service delivery code or other item that provides an association between the user and an instance of the service for which the user is qualified. The user location, as indicated by a mobile entity associated with the user, is periodically checked against the location data. When a location match occurs, the service instance for which the user has been qualified is executed to deliver the required service to the user. An example is an airline traveler buying, from a travel agent, an air ticket having an associated service wherein, the traveler, upon arriving at the relevant airport, is contacted via its mobile device and guided through check-in and boarding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Colin I′ Anson, Rycharde Jeffery Hawkes, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Andrew Thomas, Lawrence Wilcock
  • Patent number: 7680453
    Abstract: A method of storing, accessing and displaying electronic data features: storing a first part of the data in a memory tag; storing a second part of the data in a separate location having an address, using a reader, when data is accessed, to couple to the memory tag and access the first part of the data and, while or after the first part of the data is being displayed on a screen, and using a communication unit to link to the address of the separate location and obtain the second part of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20100052308
    Abstract: Anti-counterfeit marking for a product, comprising: a tamper evident marker attached to or integrated with a product or packaging for a product and having a random mark; and an electronic memory element containing data about the random mark, the memory element being attached to or integrated with the product or packaging for the product in a tamper evident manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Helen Balinsky, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Thomas Rathbone, Steven J. Simske
  • Patent number: 7623022
    Abstract: Methods are described for securing access to an electronic annotation provided on an object. The methods include the steps of providing the object with a plurality of memory tags, providing an electronic annotation on at least one of the memory tags, and defining a sequence in which the memory tags must be accessed in order to access the annotation. A corresponding object is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Tofts, James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7607026
    Abstract: A standalone memory device is provided that when in a first state allows data to be written to the device from a data source but prevents a normal user from useably accessing that data. When in a second state the device enables the user to useably access data stored in the device. The device is arranged to implement a prohibition or restriction on re-entry to its first state after having left it. In preferred embodiments, the device limits the number of times or the frequency at which, it re-enters its first state, whereby to limit the amount or rate of transfer of data via the memory device from the data source to a data recipient. The device can be used to limit content download from data sources at an exhibition. A system and method using the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Francis Squibbs, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Andrew Robert Byde
  • Patent number: 7552875
    Abstract: A print has a substrate and a plurality of memory tags coupled to the substrate. The print is an index print including a plurality of images and a memory tag is associated with each image for storage of data relating to that image. A print medium suitable for forming such a print has a substrate with a printable surface and a plurality of memory tags coupled thereto at locations spaced apart over the area of the substrate. Alternatively, memory tags may be applied to a printed print medium. Methods of providing printed images with associated stored data are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Neil Slatter, James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7543756
    Abstract: A method of supplying information comprises providing a document having a memory tag. The document has a human-readable part presenting the information in human-readable form. The method further comprises storing change information identifying changes to the information on the memory tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: James Thomas Edward McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7512234
    Abstract: Location data about a mobile entity (20) is provided in encrypted form by a location server (79) to a recipient that is one of the mobile entity (20) or a service system (40) usable by the mobile entity. The location data (P) is encrypted such that it can only to be decrypted using a secret available to a decryption entity (80) that is not under the control of the recipient. This permits location data (P) to be provided in a confidential manner to service systems (40) and also protects billing relationships between participants. A mechanism is also described for limiting the accuracy of decrypted location data (L) made available to a service system (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Andrew Thomas, Michael P. Spratt, John Deryk Waters, Simon E. Crouch
  • Publication number: 20080165004
    Abstract: A packaged product comprises a physical product, an inductively powered transponder device having a memory containing digital content, and a packaging. The packaging is adapted to prevent sufficient signal from reaching an antenna of the inductively powered transponder device to enable the digital content to be read from the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Cynthia S. Nickel, David Neil Slatter
  • Patent number: 7391757
    Abstract: A wireless LAN comprises an access point with a data communicator for data communicated over different channels, each using a respective wireless technology, and at least one mobile communications device with a data communicator for data communicated over the channels and using the wireless technologies. A first of the channels uses a wireless technology operating at a first frequency bandwidth, and a second of the channels uses a different wireless technology operating at a second, non-overlapping frequency bandwidth. The wireless technology used for the downlink channel operates at a higher data rate than the wireless technology used for the uplink channel. The controller controls data communications over the downlink channel and the uplink channel to maximise the downlink data communication QoS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wassim Haddad, James Thomas Edward McDonnell