Patents by Inventor Rodney B. Roberts

Rodney B. Roberts 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: 9819502
    Abstract: A client device providing enhanced network traffic security. The client device includes a processor and a network connection element selectively operable to provide two-way data traffic between the client device and a digital communications network such as the Internet. The client device includes a memory device managed by and accessible to the processor, and the memory device stores a network traffic schedule, which may be defined by a device operator through a shut-down mechanism user interface. The client device includes a shut-down mechanism causing the network connection element to provide the two-way data traffic between the client device and the network according to the network traffic schedule, which defines first and second time periods. The shut-down mechanism allows the network connection element to connect to the network during the first time period and prevents the network connection element to connect during the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: STRONG BEAR LLC
    Inventor: Rodney B. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20170046531
    Abstract: A system providing cloud storage with enhanced data security. The system includes a cloud storage system with a server storing a cloud data folder with data associated with a data storage user. The system also includes a client device operable to communicate over a digital communications network with the cloud storage system to access the cloud data folder. The system further includes a self-contained encryption unit with an executable encryption program and a data file, and a user of the cloud storage can define which portions of their data is stored in the data file. The encryption unit is provided in the cloud data folder. The encryption program includes an encryption tool that encrypts the data file prior to the data file being stored in memory on the client device or being stored in the cloud data folder in the cloud storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: RODNEY B. ROBERTS
  • Publication number: 20160099943
    Abstract: A client device providing enhanced network traffic security. The client device includes a processor and a network connection element selectively operable to provide two-way data traffic between the client device and a digital communications network such as the Internet. The client device includes a memory device managed by and accessible to the processor, and the memory device stores a network traffic schedule, which may be defined by a device operator through a shut-down mechanism user interface. The client device includes a shut-down mechanism causing the network connection element to provide the two-way data traffic between the client device and the network according to the network traffic schedule, which defines first and second time periods. The shut-down mechanism allows the network connection element to connect to the network during the first time period and prevents the network connection element to connect during the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: RODNEY B. ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 8880903
    Abstract: A removable drive such as a USB drive or key is provided for connecting to computer devices to provide secure and portable data storage. The drive includes a drive manager adapted to be run by an operating system of the computer device. The drive manager receives a password, generates a random key based on the password, encrypts a user-selected data file in memory of the computer device using the key, and stores the encrypted file in the memory of the removable drive. The drive manager performs the encryption of the data file without corresponding encryption applications being previously loaded on the computer system. The drive manager may include an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm. The drive manager generates a user interface that allows a user to enter passwords, select files for encryption and decryption, and create folders for storing the encrypted files on the removable drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Strong Bear LLC
    Inventors: Rodney B. Roberts, Ronald B. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20130332747
    Abstract: A removable drive such as a USB drive or key is provided for connecting to computer devices to provide secure and portable data storage. The drive includes a drive manager adapted to be run by an operating system of the computer device. The drive manager receives a password, generates a random key based on the password, encrypts a user-selected data file in memory of the computer device using the key, and stores the encrypted file in the memory of the removable drive. The drive manager performs the encryption of the data file without corresponding encryption applications being previously loaded on the computer system. The drive manager may include an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm The drive manager generates a user interface that allows a user to enter passwords, select files for encryption and decryption, and create folders for storing the encrypted files on the removable drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Strong Bear LLC
    Inventors: Rodney B. Roberts, Ronald B. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20130262669
    Abstract: A device detection system for detecting use of removable media such as flash drives, portable storage, disks, and digital cameras in computers. From each monitored client, messages are sent by a client device detection application to a server application running on a central or administrator computer or node. The messages include relevant information for the client computer such as IP address, computer name, and user name along with the device. Generally, a message will be sent when the device is first detected such as when it is attached to the client computer or connected to a port and when the device is later changed such as when the device is removed, and detection is achieved by a function intercepting event messages in the operating system environment combined with a drive detector. The messages are stored in system memory so as to log the attachment or use of removable media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: RODNEY B. ROBERTS, Ronald B. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8527780
    Abstract: A removable drive such as a USB drive or key is provided for connecting to computer devices to provide secure and portable data storage. The drive includes a drive manager adapted to be run by an operating system of the computer device. The drive manager receives a password, generates a random key based on the password, encrypts a user-selected data file in memory of the computer device using the key, and stores the encrypted file in the memory of the removable drive. The drive manager performs the encryption of the data file without corresponding encryption applications being previously loaded on the computer system. The drive manager may include an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm. The drive manager generates a user interface that allows a user to enter passwords, select files for encryption and decryption, and create folders for storing the encrypted files on the removable drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Strong Bear LLC
    Inventors: Rodney B. Roberts, Ronald B. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20110208977
    Abstract: A removable drive such as a USB drive or key is provided for connecting to computer devices to provide secure and portable data storage. The drive includes a drive manager adapted to be run by an operating system of the computer device. The drive manager receives a password, generates a random key based on the password, encrypts a user-selected data file in memory of the computer device using the key, and stores the encrypted file in the memory of the removable drive. The drive manager performs the encryption of the data file without corresponding encryption applications being previously loaded on the computer system. The drive manager may include an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm. The drive manager generates a user interface that allows a user to enter passwords, select files for encryption and decryption, and create folders for storing the encrypted files on the removable drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: STRONG BEAR LLC
    Inventors: Rodney B. Roberts, Ronald B. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7945788
    Abstract: A removable drive such as a USB drive or key is provided for connecting to computer devices to provide secure and portable data storage. The drive includes a drive manager adapted to be run by an operating system of the computer device. The drive manager receives a password, generates a random key based on the password, encrypts a user-selected data file in memory of the computer device using the key, and stores the encrypted file in the memory of the removable drive. The drive manager performs the encryption of the data file without corresponding encryption applications being previously loaded on the computer system. The drive manager may include an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm. The drive manager generates a user interface that allows a user to enter passwords, select files for encryption and decryption, and create folders for storing the encrypted files on the removable drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Strong Bear L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rodney B. Roberts, Ronald B. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20070233842
    Abstract: A device detection system for detecting use of removable media such as flash drives, portable storage, disks, and digital cameras in computers. From each monitored client, messages are sent by a client device detection application to a server application running on a central or administrator computer or node. The messages include relevant information for the client computer such as IP address, computer name, and user name along with the device. Generally, a message will be sent when the device is first detected such as when it is attached to the client computer or connected to a port and when the device is later changed such as when the device is removed, and detection is achieved by a function intercepting event messages in the operating system environment combined with a drive detector. The messages are stored in system memory so as to log the attachment or use of removable media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: STRONG BEAR L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rodney B. Roberts, Ronald B. Gardner