Patents by Inventor Norman A. Dion

Norman A. Dion 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: 7900252
    Abstract: A method for managing shared passwords on a multi-user computer system is disclosed. A set of shared passwords and an administrator internal key are initially generated. After the receipt of an administrator external key, the administrator internal key is encrypted with the administrator external key. For each user level within the computer system, an internal key is generated by hashing the administrator internal key. For each user level within the computer system, each of the shared passwords encrypted with a respective one of the internal keys. The internal keys and the encrypted shared passwords are then stored in a non-volatile storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Kawano, Tadanobu Inoue, David C. Challener, Philip L. Childs, Norman A. Dion, II
  • Patent number: 7818567
    Abstract: A method for protecting Security Accounts Manager (SAM) files within a Windows® operating system is disclosed. A SAM file encryption key is generated by encrypting a SAM file via a syskey utility provided within the Windows® operating system. The SAM file encryption key is then stored in a virtual floppy disk by selecting an option to store SAM file encryption key to a floppy disk under the syskey utility. A blob is generated by performing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Seal command against the SAM file encryption key along with a value stored in a Performance Control Register and a TPM Storage Root Key. The blob is stored in a non-volatile storage area of a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Rod D. Waltermann, David C. Challener, Philip L. Childs, Norman A. Dion, II, James Hunt, Nathan J. Peterson, David Rivera, Randall S. Springfield, Arnold S. Weksler
  • Publication number: 20080076355
    Abstract: A method for protecting Security Accounts Manager (SAM) files within a Windows® operating system is disclosed. A SAM file encryption key is generated by encrypting a SAM file via a syskey utility provided within the Windows® operating system. The SAM file encryption key is then stored in a virtual floppy disk by selecting an option to store SAM file encryption key to a floppy disk under the syskey utility. A blob is generated by performing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Seal command against the SAM file encryption key along with a value stored in a Performance Control Register and a TPM Storage Root Key. The blob is stored in a non-volatile storage area of a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Rod D. Waltermann, David C. Challener, Philip L. Childs, Norman A. Dion, James Hunt, Nathan J. Peterson, David Rivera, Randall S. Springfield, Arnold S. Weksler
  • Publication number: 20080052777
    Abstract: A method for managing shared passwords on a multi-user computer system is disclosed. A set of shared passwords and an administrator internal key are initially generated. After the receipt of an administrator external key, the administrator internal key is encrypted with the administrator external key. For each user level within the computer system, an internal key is generated by hashing the administrator internal key. For each user level within the computer system, each of the shared passwords encrypted with a respective one of the internal keys. The internal keys and the encrypted shared passwords are then stored in a non-volatile storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Seiichi Kawano, Tadanobu Inoue, David C. Challener, Philip L. Childs, Norman A. Dion
  • Patent number: 6177860
    Abstract: A method of asset control and workstation computer deployment that utilizes a dual port electronic memory identification RFID tag to hold serial number and hardware and software configuration profiles as well as user information. The RFID tag is mapped into the workstation computer memory space and can also be read and written by radio frequency signalling through a wired plug and access flap in a shipping carton. Serial numbers and MAC address is stored on the tag by the manufacturer. User information, workstation profile and software image information is stored onto the tag while the computer is being received for forwarding to the final workstation destination without the need to unpack and power up the computer. The information stored on the tag is used to allow automated system configuration and software downloading to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daryl Carvis Cromer, Norman Dion, Michael Steinmetz, James Peter Ward
  • Patent number: 4068268
    Abstract: Single and double density servo-tracks are written on the servo-surface of a rotating disc pack with a single transducer carried by a transducer head assembly driven by a screw shaft. The screw shaft is incrementally rotated by a first fixed angular distance and a second fixed angular distance when writing single and double density tracks, respectively. The transducer has a gap width greater than the width of the widest track to be written, and the tracks are sequentially recorded by recording a preliminary track having a width equal to the width of the transducer gap, radially translating the transducer by an amount equal to the desired track width, erasing the portion of the preliminary track overlapping the transducer gap to form a track having the correct width and repeating the recording and erasing steps until all tracks have been so recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Inventors: Tom Y. Idemoto, C. Norman Dion
  • Patent number: 4052750
    Abstract: An improved flexible magnetic recording disc assembly comprising an envelope and a flexible recording disc rotatably received in the envelope, the disc having an annular reinforcement member concentrically arranged adjacent the central mounting aperture of the disc. Two embodiments are disclosed: a first having a single annular reinforcement member secured to the spindle side of the flexible disc; and a second having a pair of annular reinforcement members disposed on opposite surfaces of the disc. The reinforcement member has an axial thickness in the range from about 2 to about 7 mils to provide sufficient structural rigidity to resist crinkling and flaring during use; a static and dynamic coefficient of friction not less than about 0.3, and a total electrical resistance measured in the longitudinal axial direction in the range of about 1 ohm to about 50 megohms to facilitate dissipation of static electrical charges which may build up on the recording surfaces of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: Dysan Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Barber, C. Norman Dion, Richard N. James
  • Patent number: 3943666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the recording layer of flexible recording elements to remove protruding agglomerated particles formed during the fabrication process and to provide an extremely smooth surface finish on the order of 1.8AA or less. Several embodiments are disclosed for treating both annular recording discs and roll type recording media. The method comprises burnishing the recording layer surface with a hard smooth abrasive member while supporting the flexible recording element on a resilient backing surface and observing key parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: Dysan Corporation
    Inventors: C. Norman Dion, Tom Y. Idemoto