Patents by Inventor Jeffreys R. Nichols

Jeffreys R. Nichols 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).

  • Publication number: 20240113867
    Abstract: A distributed control system includes an electronic control unit to establish secure communication with a distributed control module. Upon determination that a previously negotiated session key is stored on the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit transmits encrypted communications with the distributed control module using the previously negotiated session key, negotiates a new session key with the distributed control module, and stores the new session key. Upon determination that the previously negotiated session key is not stored on the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit negotiates the new session key with the distributed control module. After negotiating the new session key with the distributed control module, the electronic control unit ceases transmission of unencrypted communications with the distributed control module, transmits encrypted communications with the distributed control module using the new session key, and stores the new session key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicants: General Electric Company, BAE Systems Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gilton, Matthew B. Pfenninger, Douglas R. Nichols, Russell Seidel
  • Publication number: 20240111872
    Abstract: A method for initializing an engine control system of an aircraft may include authenticating a boot loader, authenticating a manifest in response to authentication of the boot loader wherein the manifest contains hashes of one or more software components, and in response to authentication of the manifest, loading a first set of software components from among the one or more software components onto a non-transitory computer-readable medium, calculating a hash of each software component of the first set of software components, authenticating the first set of software components by comparing the calculated hash of each software component of the first set of software components to the hash of a corresponding software component in the manifest, and executing the first set of software components in response to authentication of the one or more software components. Devices and systems are also provided for initializing an engine control system of an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicants: General Electric Company, BAE Systems Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gilton, Matthew B. Pfenninger, Douglas R. Nichols, Russell Seidel
  • Patent number: 11934527
    Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes authenticating a first stage boot loader and authenticating a second stage boot loader in response to authentication of the first stage boot loader. The method also includes executing the second stage boot loader in response to authentication of the second stage boot loader. Executing the second stage boot loader includes loading an operating system, a first set of machine-readable instructions, and first configuration information associated with the first set of machine-readable instructions onto a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the first set of machine-readable instructions and the first configuration information are associated with one or more priority partitions. Executing the second stage boot loader includes authenticating the operating system and the first set of machine-readable instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gilton, Matthew B. Pfenninger, Douglas R. Nichols, Mark E Hingsbergen
  • Patent number: 10912346
    Abstract: An exoskeleton boot that can be selectively coupled to and decoupled from a lower link of an exoskeleton includes an upper configured to receive a foot of a human user and an outsole coupled to the upper. An exoskeleton connection interface is structurally coupled to the outsole and has a locked mode and an unlocked mode. In the locked mode, the exoskeleton connection interface is configured to inhibit decoupling from a boot connection interface of an exoskeleton link. In the unlocked mode, the exoskeleton connection interface is configured to facilitate decoupling from the boot connection interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Maxwell, Patricia A. Aelker, Gavin A. Barnes, Robert O. Brady, Erik A. Holmen, Jeffreys R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9802307
    Abstract: An intermediate link for a tool arm assembly is provided. The intermediate link includes first and second connectors that are at least partially rotatable about respective first and second rotation axes. The intermediate link includes first and/or second lock rotation mechanisms that are configured to selectively prevent rotation of the first and second connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia A. Aelker, Gavin A. Barnes, Robert O. Brady, Erik A. Holmen, Steven D. MacFarlane, Keith E. Maxwell, Jeffreys R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20170057077
    Abstract: An intermediate link for a tool arm assembly is provided. The intermediate link includes first and second connectors that are at least partially rotatable about respective first and second rotation axes. The intermediate link includes first and/or second lock rotation mechanisms that are configured to selectively prevent rotation of the first and second connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Patricia A. Aelker, Gavin A. Barnes, Robert O. Brady, Erik A. Holmen, Steven D. MacFarlane, Keith E. Maxwell, Jeffreys R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5687064
    Abstract: A integrated circuit card having a rigidized frame to surround the electronic devices on a printed circuit (PC) board. The card includes a frame and integral cover for the top and bottom. The top and bottom are constructed out of a material that does not interfere with the use of an antenna coupled to the board assembly within the card. The bottom and top are coupled together using pins. When the two are coupled together the frame is better supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffreys R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5563772
    Abstract: A integrated circuit card having a rigidized frame to surround the electronic devices on a printed circuit (PC) board. The card includes a frame and integral cover for the top and bottom. The top and bottom are constructed out of a material that does not interfere with the use of an antenna coupled to the board assembly within the card. The bottom and top are coupled together using pins. When the two are coupled together the frame is better supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Wireless Access
    Inventor: Jeffreys R. Nichols
  • Patent number: D623965
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Guardianlion Wireless, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Sullivan, Jeffreys R. Nichols