Patents by Inventor Herbert Little
Herbert Little 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).
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Patent number: 8140863Abstract: A mobile communications device, server, and method for providing security on a mobile communications device are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Michael S. Brown, Neil Adams, Steven Fyke, Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20120046015Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a mobile communication device that authenticates a smart battery prior to use. The mobile device includes a main processor and a device memory. The device memory stores first and second portions of security information used for authentication. The smart battery includes a battery processor and a battery memory. The battery memory stores a third portion of security information used for authentication. The main processor sends an authentication request including the first portion of security information to the battery processor, and the battery processor generates a response based on the first and third portions of security information and sends the generated response to the main processor. The smart battery is authenticated if the generated response matches the second portion of security information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventor: Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20110321171Abstract: A system includes a first wireless-enabled device that transparently stores confidential information and a second wireless-enabled device that stores the same confidential information. The confidential information is to be used to secure a wireless communication link between the first device and the second device. One or both of the first device and the second device is to delete the confidential information upon fulfillment of one or more conditions related to the communication link.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Neil Adams, Michael S. Brown, Michael K. Brown, Herbert Little, Scott Totzke
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Publication number: 20110191585Abstract: Authentication of two devices in communication with a third device is achieved where the first and second devices each possess a shared secret value. The authentication includes communication of authentication values from the first device to the second device using the third device. Similarly, there is communication of values from the second device to the first device using the third device. The third device retains the communicated values. The values are calculated to permit the third device to authenticate the first and second devices without the third device receiving the shared secret value. The authentication may be used to establish a communications channel between the first and the second devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Michael Brown, Herbert Little, Dinah Davis
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Publication number: 20110126262Abstract: Various embodiments are described for providing password approval on a device. The password approval includes getting the user password, generating at least one symbolically equivalent password and then comparing the at least one symbolically equivalent password with at least one specified forbidden password. The user password is disapproved if one of the symbolically equivalent passwords corresponds to the at least one forbidden password.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Herbert Little, Michael S. Brown
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Publication number: 20110084136Abstract: A wireless device may alert a wireless smart card reader that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is probably imminent by sending an activation alert. Upon receipt of the activation alert, if the wireless smart card reader is in a low-power state, the wireless smart card reader may enter a higher-power state. If the wireless smart card reader is in the higher-power state upon receipt of the activation alert, the wireless smart card reader may remain in the higher-power state until a timeout period has expired. The wireless device may instruct the wireless smart card reader to enter the low-power state by sending a deactivation alert if the wireless device detects that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is not likely to occur within a specified period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Neil Adams, Herbert Little
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Patent number: 7904729Abstract: Various embodiments are described for providing password approval on a device. The password approval includes getting the user password, generating at least one symbolically equivalent password and then comparing the at least one symbolically equivalent password with at least one specified forbidden password. The user password is disapproved if one of the symbolically equivalent passwords corresponds to the at least one forbidden password.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Herbert Little, Michael S. Brown
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Patent number: 7878395Abstract: A wireless device may alert a wireless smart card reader that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is probably imminent by sending an activation alert. Upon receipt of the activation alert, if the wireless smart card reader is in a low-power state, the wireless smart card reader may enter a higher-power state. If the wireless smart card reader is in the higher-power state upon receipt of the activation alert, the wireless smart card reader may remain in the higher-power state until a timeout period has expired. The wireless device may instruct the wireless smart card reader to enter the low-power state by sending a deactivation alert if the wireless device identifies that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is not likely to occur within a specified period of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Neil Adams, Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20100317324Abstract: A mobile communications device, method and computer program product for providing security are described. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a processor; a communications subsystem; a storage element having application modules and data; and a security module operable to detect a locked state of the device and initiate a lockout data protection timer for a predetermined duration upon detection of the locked state. The security module is operable to, after the lockout data protection timer has been initiated, detect if a password is entered through a user input device within the predetermined duration and to terminate the lockout data protection timer if entry of the password is detected to perform a security action comprising erasing or encrypting at least some of the data if entry of the password is not detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Michael S. Brown, Neil Adams, Steven Fyke, Herbert Little
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Patent number: 7809353Abstract: A mobile communications device, method and computer program product for providing security are described. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a processor; a communications subsystem; a storage element having application modules and data; and a security module operable to detect a locked state of the device and initiate a lockout data protection timer for a predetermined duration upon detection of the locked state. The security module is operable to, after the lockout data protection timer has been initiated, detect if a password is entered through a user input device within the predetermined duration and to terminate the lockout data protection timer if entry of the password is detected to perform a security action comprising erasing or encrypting at least some of the data if entry of the password is not detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Michael S. Brown, Neil Adams, Steven Fyke, Herbert Little
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Patent number: 7796979Abstract: A first wireless device controls its visibility by disabling its discoverable mode or modes upon ascertaining that a second wireless device does not require the first device to be in a discoverable mode in order to establish connections therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Neil Adams, Herbert Little, Michael K. Brown
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Publication number: 20100197366Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a mobile communication device that utilizes a smart battery. The mobile device includes a main processor for controlling the operation of the mobile communication device. The smart battery is coupled to the main processor and provides supply power. The smart battery includes a battery processor for controlling the operation of the smart battery and communicating with the main processor, and a battery module having one or more batteries for providing the supply power. A battery interface is provided for coupling between the main processor and the battery processor for providing communication therebetween. The battery interface comprises a data communication line and protection circuitry for protecting the main processor from electrostatic discharge. A communication protocol is also provided for communication between the main processor and the battery processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Christopher Pattenden, Christopher Book, Martin Guthrie, Jonathan Brubacher, Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20100197367Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a mobile communication device that utilizes a smart battery. The mobile device includes a main processor for controlling the operation of the mobile communication device. The smart battery is coupled to the main processor and provides supply power. The smart battery includes a battery processor for controlling the operation of the smart battery and communicating with the main processor, and a battery module having one or more batteries for providing the supply power. A battery interface is provided for coupling between the main processor and the battery processor for providing communication therebetween. The battery interface comprises a data communication line and protection circuitry for protecting the main processor from electrostatic discharge. A communication protocol is also provided for communication between the main processor and the battery processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Christopher Pattenden, Christopher Book, Martin Guthrie, Jonathan Brubacher, Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20100187309Abstract: A wireless-enabled smart card reader receives an Answer to Reset (ATR) from a smart card and transmits the ATR using a wireless communication link to a computing device without waiting for an ATR request from the computing device. The computing device may cache the ATR and use it for subsequent communication sessions with the smart card.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Neil P. Adams, Herbert Little
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Patent number: 7697957Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a mobile communication device that utilizes a smart battery. The mobile device includes a main processor for controlling the operation of the mobile communication device. The smart battery is coupled to the main processor and provides supply power. The smart battery includes a battery processor for controlling the operation of the smart battery and communicating with the main processor, and a battery module having one or more batteries for providing the supply power. A battery interface is provided for coupling between the main processor and the battery processor for providing communication therebetween. The battery interface comprises a data communication line and protection circuitry for protecting the main processor from electrostatic discharge. A communication protocol is also provided for communication between the main processor and the battery processor.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Christopher Pattenden, Christopher Book, Martin Guthrie, Jonathan Brubacher, Herbert Little
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Patent number: 7690579Abstract: A wireless-enabled smart card reader receives an Answer to Reset (ATR) from a smart card and transmits the ATR using a wireless communication link to a computing device without waiting for an ATR request from the computing device. The computing device may cache the ATR and use it for subsequent communication sessions with the smart card.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Neil Adams, Herbert Little
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Patent number: 7667429Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a mobile communication device that authenticates a smart battery prior to use. The mobile device includes a main processor and a device memory. The device memory stores first and second portions of security information used for authentication. The smart battery includes a battery processor and a battery memory. The battery memory stores a third portion of security information used for authentication. The main processor sends an authentication request including the first portion of security information to the battery processor, and the battery processor generates a response based on the first and third portions of security information and sends the generated response to the main processor. The smart battery is authenticated if the generated response matches the second portion of security information.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventor: Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20100031028Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a certificate for use in securing a message to be transmitted from a computing device is described herein. A set of certificates is determined and the certificates are ranked based on one or more predetermined ranking criteria. At least the highest ranking certificate is displayed, and a certificate is selected for securing the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Neil Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20090219166Abstract: A method of event notification on a handheld communications device involves first receiving an indication of an occurrence of an event at the handheld communications device. The communications device comprises a display device, and the event has an associated notification definition for providing a visual notification of the occurrence of the event. The notification definition comprises a content parameter that specifies a scope of the content of the visual notification, and an action parameter that specifies the action to be taken on the communications device after the visual notification is initiated. Then, a visual notification of the occurrence is provided on the display device in accordance with the associated notification definition. The visual notification provides particulars of the event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Tammy MacFarlane, Alain Gagne, Chris Wormald, Herbert Little
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Publication number: 20090112978Abstract: A click detection method, apparatus and system is provided. An embodiment includes a method that receives a request from a client destined for a server and a unique identifier for the client. The method of the method also includes generating a representation of the unique identifier, and forwarding the unique identifier and the request to the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Russell Owen, Michael Brown, Herbert Little