Patents by Inventor James P. Hoff

James P. Hoff 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: 8908867
    Abstract: A trusted platform module (TPM) is a silicon chip that constitutes a secure encryption key-pair generator and key management device. A TPM provides a hardware-based root-of-trust contingent on the generation of the first key-pair that the device creates: the SRK (storage root key). Each SRK is unique, making each TPM unique, and an SRK is never exported from a TPM. Broadly contemplated herein is an arrangement for determining automatically whether a TPM has been replaced or cleared via loading a TPM blob into the TPM prior to the first time it is to be used (e.g. when a security-related software application runs). If the TPM blob loads successfully, then it can be concluded that the TPM is the same TPM that was used previously. If the TPM blob cannot be loaded, then corrective action will preferably take place automatically to configure the new TPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Lietzke, Jr., James P. Hoff, David Rivera
  • Patent number: 8756667
    Abstract: In the context of computer systems, the generation of preboot passwords at a server instead of at a client. Preferably, preboot passwords generated at the server are distributed to the client, and a process is offered whereby a user can establish his/her own proxy, not known to the server, that can be used to release the stored passwords to the client hardware. Since the passwords are generated at the server, management of the passwords is greatly facilitated since they are generated at the site where they are stored. This also makes it easy to implement management features such as a group policy, since the password generation software will be able to make logical connections between users and hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Randall S. Springfield, Jeffrey M. Estroff, Seiichi Kawano, Mikio Hagiwara, David C. Challener, James P. Hoff, Binqiang Ma
  • Patent number: 8533776
    Abstract: A method and system for binding a device to a planar is disclosed. According to the preferred embodiment of the method and system of the present invention, a programmable memory chip is provided on the planar and the device is detachably attached to the planar. The method and system further includes using the programmable memory chip to bind the device to the planar. Through the aspects of the present invention, the programmable memory chip transmits a message associated with the planar to the device, which is programmed to receive the message associated with the planar. If the message received by the device is not the message associated with the planar, the device is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott T. Elliott, James P. Hoff, Scott Long, James P. Ward
  • Patent number: 8340954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multi-language support in a pre-boot environment are supplied. User interface type information, such as keyboard type information and translation tables, are ascertained and provided to the pre-boot environment of the apparatus, allowing the apparatus to properly receive and/or translate multi-language inputs in an appropriate fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Randall S. Springfield, Jeffrey M. Estroff, Mikio Hagiwara, James P. Hoff, Seiichi Kawano, Noritoshi Yoshiyama
  • Patent number: 8290164
    Abstract: A trusted platform module (TPM) is a silicon chip that constitutes a secure encryption key-pair generator and key management device. A TPM provides a hardware-based root-of-trust contingent on the generation of the first key-pair that the device creates: the SRK (storage root key). Each SRK is unique, making each TPM unique, and an SRK is never exported from a TPM. Broadly contemplated herein is an arrangement for determining automatically whether a TPM has been replaced or cleared via loading a TPM blob into the TPM prior to the first time it is to be used (e.g. when a security-related software application runs). If the TPM blob loads successfully, then it can be concluded that the TPM is the same TPM that was used previously. If the TPM blob cannot be loaded, then corrective action will preferably take place automatically to configure the new TPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Lietzke, James P. Hoff, David Rivera
  • Publication number: 20100162373
    Abstract: In the context of computer systems, the generation of preboot passwords at a server instead of at a client. Preferably, preboot passwords generated at the server are distributed to the client, and a process is offered whereby a user can establish his/her own proxy, not known to the server, that can be used to release the stored passwords to the client hardware. Since the passwords are generated at the server, management of the passwords is greatly facilitated since they are generated at the site where they are stored. This also makes it easy to implement management features such as a group policy, since the password generation software will be able to make logical connections between users and hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Randall S. Springfield, Jeffrey M. Estroff, Seiichi Kawano, Mikio Hagiwara, David C. Challener, James P. Hoff, Binqiang Ma
  • Publication number: 20100057440
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multi-language support in a pre-boot environment are supplied. User interface type information, such as keyboard type information and translation tables, are ascertained and provided to the pre-boot environment of the apparatus, allowing the apparatus to properly receive and/or translate multi-language inputs in an appropriate fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Randall S. Springfield, Jeffrey M. Estroff, Mikio Hagiwara, James P. Hoff, Seiichi Kawano, Noritoshi Yoshiyama
  • Patent number: 7600134
    Abstract: A method for theft deterrence of a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a trusted platform module (TPM) and storage medium. The method comprises providing a binding key in the TPM; and providing an encrypted symmetric key in the storage medium. The method further includes providing an unbind command to the TPM based upon an authorization to provide a decrypted symmetric key; and providing the decrypted symmetric key to the secure storage device to allow for use of the computer system. Accordingly, by utilizing a secure hard disk drive (HDD) that requires a decrypted key to function in conjunction with a TPM, a computer if stolen is virtually unusable by the thief. In so doing, the risk of theft of the computer is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Catherman, David C. Challener, James P. Hoff, Joseph M. Pennisi, Randall S. Springfield
  • Publication number: 20080077805
    Abstract: Data exchanged between memory components is protected against possible misuse and breach of security by providing for encryption of data swapped out to another location such as a disk drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Ryan C. Catherman, David C. Challener, James P. Hoff, John H. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20080025513
    Abstract: A trusted platform module (TPM) is a silicon chip that constitutes a secure encryption key-pair generator and key management device. A TPM provides a hardware-based root-of-trust contingent on the generation of the first key-pair that the device creates: the SRK (storage root key). Each SRK is unique, making each TPM unique, and an SRK is never exported from a TPM. Broadly contemplated herein is an arrangement for determining automatically whether a TPM has been replaced or cleared via loading a TPM blob into the TPM prior to the first time it is to be used (e.g. when a security-related software application runs). If the TPM blob loads successfully, then it can be concluded that the TPM is the same TPM that was used previously. If the TPM blob cannot be loaded, then corrective action will preferably take place automatically to configure the new TPM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew P. Lietzke, James P. Hoff, David Rivera
  • Patent number: 5545003
    Abstract: A gas turbine component that includes a very thin wall. The gas turbine component being of a single-piece, single-cast structure. In one form of the gas turbine component it is formed of a superalloy composition and is capable of withstanding gases impinging upon the walls at temperatures greater than 4000.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Allison Engine Company, Inc
    Inventors: Kurt F. O'Connor, James P. Hoff, Donald J. Frasier, Ralph E. Peeler, Heidi Mueller-Largent, Floyd F. Trees, James R. Whetstone, John H. Lane, Ralph E. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 5295530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single-cast, thin wall structure capable of withstanding impinging gases at temperatures of 4300.degree. F. and higher, and method of making the same. Using a bleed line of the instant invention allows for a decreasing metal pressure with respect to time which prevents any damage to the thin outer mold wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt F. O'Connor, James P. Hoff, Donald J. Frasier, Ralph E. Peeler, Heidi Mueller-Largent, Floyd F. Trees, James R. Whetstone, John H. Lane, Ralph E. Jeffries