Patents by Inventor Ian Robertson

Ian Robertson 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: 8788605
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling messages on a mobile device. A system and method could be configured to receive at a mobile device a message that is associated with a message expiry indicator. If a message expiry indicator is determined to be associated with the received message, then the received message is removed from the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Ian Robertson, David Victor MacFarlane, Herbert Anthony Little
  • Publication number: 20140113594
    Abstract: A mobile communications device for communicating with a wireless network, including an electronic storage having data stored thereon, a processor connected to the storage for accessing the data, a communications sub-system connected to the processor for exchanging signals with the wireless network and with the processor, a user input interface connected to send user input signals to the processor in response to user action, and a security module associated with the processor for detecting a trigger condition and automatically taking a security action if a bypass user action is not detected after detection of the trigger condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Ian Robertson
  • Patent number: 8640222
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for protecting real-time data exchanged between a mobile electronic device and a VPN gateway over a communications link. The method comprises: establishing a first VPN connection between the mobile electronic device and the VPN gateway through the communications link; establishing, while the first VPN connection is established, a second VPN connection between the mobile electronic device and the VPN gateway through the communications link; providing key information to at least one of the mobile electronic device or VPN gateway through the first VPN connection; and exchanging real-time data packets between the mobile electronic device and the VPN gateway through the second VPN connection, wherein the key information is for encrypting and decrypting the real-time data packets exchanged through the second VPN connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Ian Robertson, Thomas C. Nagy
  • Publication number: 20130326015
    Abstract: A system, device and method are provided for merging information from a plurality of network sources using a mobile device capable. The mobile device receives data of a first type from a first network source, then merges the received data with data of a different type stored at the mobile device to create a merged data set, the merging including matching an identifier associated with the received data against an identifier associated with the stored data. The merged data set is then merged with a data record at a different network source, this merging including matching an identifier associated with the merged data set against an identifier associated with the data record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ian ROBERTSON
  • Patent number: 8583056
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device also has at least one wired communication port. Enhanced security is achieved by permitting the device to automatically disable one or more wireless ports when connected to a wired port. Specific combinations/permutations of such automatic control may be effected by use of an IT Policy also resident on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Ian Robertson, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130247143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a security-related mode of operation for computing devices. A policy data store contains security mode configuration data related to the computing devices. Security mode configuration data is used in establishing a security-related mode of operation for the computing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Michael Stephen Brown, Ian Robertson, Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown, David Victor MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 8532622
    Abstract: A system and method for merging information from a plurality of enterprise information stores on a network using a mobile communication device capable of accessing the network. Using the mobile communication device, communication or contact information is requested from the enterprise information stores, and merged with the content of a personal information store resident in the mobile communication device to create a merged data set for uploading to an enterprise information store on the network. In creating the merged data set, the value of a principal identifier in the requested communication information is used to query the personal information store in order to locate data in the personal information store having a value matching the principal identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Ian Robertson
  • Patent number: 8503974
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (and its related method of operation) includes, if invoked, password protected access to data stored therewithin and/or to normal device operations and further includes duress password checking logic that automatically causes a duress message to be sent if a duress password has been entered. The duress message is preferably sent without maintaining any user accessible indication of such sending. It is also preferred that the password checking logic automatically cause an end-of-duress message to be sent if a normal password is entered after a duress password has been entered. A plurality of different duress passwords may be entered into a duress password portion of data memory in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Michael Grant Kirkup, Ian Robertson, Jonathan F. Hammell, Michael Stephen Brown
  • Patent number: 8488576
    Abstract: One method in a mobile communication device for use in establishing communications between the mobile communication device and a wireless local communication network (WLAN) involves identifying a domain name of the WLAN; performing, in the mobile communication device, a predetermined algorithm with use of the domain name, for creating an extended service set identifier (ESSID) which includes at least a portion of the domain name of the WLAN; and associating with an wireless access point of the WLAN with use of the ESSID for accessing communication services in the WLAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Thomas Charles Nagy, Ian Robertson, Craig A. Dunk
  • Patent number: 8475735
    Abstract: A disposable immunodiagnostic test system tests for marker proteins in a sample and includes intimately contacting passage, protein, and absorbent layers. The passage layer is non-porous and has an aperture therethrough. The protein layer is porous, has combinable proteins immobilized thereon, and enables passage of the sample therethrough. The protein layer has an active surface aligned with the passage layer aperture. The sample is introduced onto the protein layer through the passage layer aperture. In positive results, the marker proteins are bound to the combinable proteins and immobilized relative to the protein layer. In negative results, the sample passes through the protein layer, and is absorbed by the absorbent layer. A housing may also be provided, as may a wash structure. The system may be constructed of combustible materials that produce non-toxic by-products upon incineration, preferably enabling ecologically responsible disposal after diagnostic use of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: Uma Mahesh Babu, Ian Robertson Marshall, Janet Eland-Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 8433278
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for selecting a network for use by a communication device to process a data transmission. In the method, the following actions are conducted: tracking transmission characteristics of networks used by the device; maintaining a set of options for the device relating to the networks, including at least one option based on the transmission characteristics; utilizing a selected option identify a selected network to process the data transmission by the communication device; and processing the data transmission using the selected network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Ian Robertson
  • Patent number: 8346312
    Abstract: A mobile communication device is capable of communicating with a battery authorization server. Determining an authorization status of a smart battery currently powering the mobile communication device involves an initial authorization process and a subsequent authorization process. The initial authorization process is conducted between the mobile communication device and the smart battery. If the initial authorization process is successful, it is followed by a subsequent authorization process between the mobile communication device and the battery authorization server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Ian Robertson, Herbert A. Little, Lyall Winger
  • Patent number: 8289916
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (and its related method of operation) includes, if invoked, password protected access to data stored therewithin and/or to normal device operations and further includes duress password checking logic that automatically causes a duress message to be sent if a duress password has been entered. The duress message is preferably sent without maintaining any user accessible indication of such sending. It is also preferred that the password checking logic automatically cause an end-of-duress message to be sent if a normal password is entered after a duress password has been entered. A plurality of different duress passwords may be entered into a duress password portion of data memory in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Neil Patrick Adams, Hebert Anthony Little, Michael Grant Kirkup, Ian Robertson, Jonathan F. Hammell, Michael Stephen Brown
  • Patent number: 8191105
    Abstract: A system and method for handling secure-format messages includes a message server that receives secure-format messages from senders and operates in conjunction with a secure message handler to detect and prevent the delivery of invalid secure-format messages. When a secure-format message is determined to be invalid, the secure message handler may take one or more of the following actions: replace the body of the invalid message with a template message, send a message to the sender of the invalid message indicating the message was rejected, delete the invalid message from the recipient's mailbox, or log the message on the message server and mark it for review. Additionally, the handling of invalid messages is configurable. In particular, the actions to take and the conditions under which those actions are to be taken may be specified by an administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, David V. MacFarlane, Ian Robertson
  • Publication number: 20120117616
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device also has at least one wired communication port. Enhanced security is achieved by permitting the device to automatically disable one or more wireless ports when connected to a wired port. Specific combinations/permutations of such automatic control may be effected by use of an IT Policy also resident on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael G. KIRKUP, Michael K. BROWN, Herbert A. LITTLE, Ian Robertson, Michael S. BROWN
  • Patent number: 8107974
    Abstract: A probabilistic prediction is made of the location of a wireless-enabled mobile station in a wireless local area network. The prediction includes calculating a vector representing movement of the mobile station through a space in which two or more access points of the network are located, and determining a region surrounding the vector in which the mobile station has at least a given probability to be located within a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Ian Robertson, Tom Nagy
  • Patent number: 8099060
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device also has at least one wired communication port. Enhanced security is achieved by permitting the device to automatically disable one or more wireless ports when connected to a wired port. Specific combinations/permutations of such automatic control may be effected by use of an IT Policy also resident on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Ian Robertson, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20120008766
    Abstract: By securing a component within a product, before the component is delivered to the final device manufacturing facility, the device manufacturing process can be made provably secure. Additionally, the component may be tested for security and authenticity during manufacture and even later, as the device enters use by a consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Robertson, Roger Paul Bowman, Robert H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20120011345
    Abstract: Augmented processor hardware contains a microcode interpreter. When encrypted microcode is included in a message from a service, the microcode may be passed to the microcode interpreter. Based on decryption and execution of the microcode taking place at the processor hardware, extended functionality may be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Robertson, Roger Paul Bowman, Robert Henderson Wood
  • Publication number: 20120011346
    Abstract: Augmented processor hardware contains a microcode interpreter. When encrypted microcode is included in a challenge from a service requiring authentication, the microcode may be passed to the microcode interpreter. Based on decryption and execution of the microcode taking place at the processor hardware, tampering by potentially abusive device software may be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Robertson, Roger Paul Bowman, Robert Henderson Wood