Patents by Inventor John-Francis Mergen

John-Francis Mergen 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: 11621746
    Abstract: An analog tamper-detection apparatus (ATAMP) for onboard analysis of a target device includes a plurality of antennas, each antenna of the plurality of antennas disposed within the target device and being electrically isolated from components of the target device. The ATAMP device further includes radio frequency (RF) front-end (RFFE) transmitter circuitry coupled to the plurality of antennas, the RFFE transmitter circuitry configured to illuminate the target device with a plurality of electromagnetic signals emitted via the plurality of antennas, to generate a plurality of mixed RF signals. The ATAMP device further includes RFFE receiver circuitry configured to receive emissions from the target device based on the mixed RF signals, and processing circuitry configured to perform subsequent analysis and evaluation of the target device based on the received emissions. The processing circuitry further generates a notification of the subsequent analysis and evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Tyler Shake, John Dishon, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Thomas Wilkerson, David Brian Miller, Ronald Buikema
  • Publication number: 20220216899
    Abstract: An analog tamper-detection apparatus (ATAMP) for onboard analysis of a target device includes a plurality of antennas, each antenna of the plurality of antennas disposed within the target device and being electrically isolated from components of the target device. The ATAMP device further includes radio frequency (RF) front-end (RFFE) transmitter circuitry coupled to the plurality of antennas, the RFFE transmitter circuitry configured to illuminate the target device with a plurality of electromagnetic signals emitted via the plurality of antennas, to generate a plurality of mixed RF signals. The ATAMP device further includes RFFE receiver circuitry configured to receive emissions from the target device based on the mixed RF signals, and processing circuitry configured to perform subsequent analysis and evaluation of the target device based on the received emissions. The processing circuitry further generates a notification of the subsequent analysis and evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler Shake, John Dishon, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Thomas Wilkerson, David Brian Miller, Ronald Buikema
  • Patent number: 11316553
    Abstract: An RF clocked device can include a signal processor operable to receive an RF signal having an RF signal frequency and output a clock signal having a clock frequency based on the RF signal frequency. The RF clocked device can also include a clock operable to receive, and operate, using the clock signal. The clock can output at least one of a time and a date. In addition, a clock system can include an RF clocked device. The RF clocked device can include a signal processor operable to receive an RF signal having an RF signal frequency and output a clock signal having a clock frequency based on the RF signal frequency. The RF clocked device can also include a clock operable to receive, and operate, using the clock signal. The clock can output at least one of a time and a date. The clock system can also include a client device operable to receive timing information from the RF clocked device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies, Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Gilbert Roden, III, John-Francis Mergen, Christopher Michael Wilder, David Brian Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11201641
    Abstract: An analog tamper-detection apparatus (ATAMP) for onboard analysis of a target device includes a plurality of antennas, each antenna of the plurality of antennas disposed within the target device and being electrically isolated from components of the target device. The ATAMP device further includes radio frequency (RF) front-end (RFFE) transmitter circuitry coupled to the plurality of antennas, the RFFE transmitter circuitry configured to illuminate the target device with a plurality of electromagnetic signals emitted via the plurality of antennas, to generate a plurality of mixed RF signals. The ATAMP device further includes RFFE receiver circuitry configured to receive emissions from the target device based on the mixed RF signals, and processing circuitry configured to perform subsequent analysis and evaluation of the target device based on the received emissions. The processing circuitry further generates a notification of the subsequent analysis and evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Tyler Shake, John Dishon, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Thomas Wilkerson, David Brian Miller, Ronald Buikema
  • Publication number: 20210250059
    Abstract: An RF clocked device can include a signal processor operable to receive an RF signal having an RF signal frequency and output a clock signal having a clock frequency based on the RF signal frequency. The RF clocked device can also include a clock operable to receive, and operate, using the clock signal. The clock can output at least one of a time and a date. In addition, a clock system can include an RF clocked device. The RF clocked device can include a signal processor operable to receive an RF signal having an RF signal frequency and output a clock signal having a clock frequency based on the RF signal frequency. The RF clocked device can also include a clock operable to receive, and operate, using the clock signal. The clock can output at least one of a time and a date. The clock system can also include a client device operable to receive timing information from the RF clocked device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Gilbert Roden, III, John-Francis Mergen, Christopher Michael Wilder, David Brian Miller, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210091829
    Abstract: An analog tamper-detection apparatus (ATAMP) for onboard analysis of a target device includes a plurality of antennas, each antenna of the plurality of antennas disposed within the target device and being electrically isolated from components of the target device. The ATAMP device further includes radio frequency (RF) front-end (RFFE) transmitter circuitry coupled to the plurality of antennas, the RFFE transmitter circuitry configured to illuminate the target device with a plurality of electromagnetic signals emitted via the plurality of antennas, to generate a plurality of mixed RF signals. The ATAMP device further includes RFFE receiver circuitry configured to receive emissions from the target device based on the mixed RF signals, and processing circuitry configured to perform subsequent analysis and evaluation of the target device based on the received emissions. The processing circuitry further generates a notification of the subsequent analysis and evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Tyler Shake, John Dishon, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Thomas Wilkerson, David Brian Miller, Ronald Buikema
  • Patent number: 10880619
    Abstract: Embodiments regard determining provenance of digital content. A method of determining the provenance of digital content can include receiving, at processing circuitry, edited digital content and data indicating an entity that edited source digital content to generate the edited digital content, the source digital content, and a destination of the edited digital content, generating, by the processing circuitry, additional data detailing an edit history of the edited digital content, the additional data indicating the entity, an edit identification uniquely identifying the additional data in a ledger, the source digital content, and the destination of the edited digital content, and generating a request to cause the additional data to be stored in the ledger, the ledger operable to be queried so that a user can determine an authenticity of the edited digital content based on the additional data of an edit chain returned in response to a query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Alex Benjamin Jordan, John-Francis Mergen
  • Publication number: 20200275166
    Abstract: Embodiments regard determining provenance of digital content. A method of determining the provenance of digital content can include receiving, at processing circuitry, edited digital content and data indicating an entity that edited source digital content to generate the edited digital content, the source digital content, and a destination of the edited digital content, generating, by the processing circuitry, additional data detailing an edit history of the edited digital content, the additional data indicating the entity, an edit identification uniquely identifying the additional data in a ledger, the source digital content, and the destination of the edited digital content, and generating a request to cause the additional data to be stored in the ledger, the ledger operable to be queried so that a user can determine an authenticity of the edited digital content based on the additional data of an edit chain returned in response to a query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Alex Benjamin Jordan, John-Francis Mergen
  • Patent number: 10701052
    Abstract: In one example, a system for authenticating domains operates by authenticating a first domain and the extensions that make up the URI of an initial or primary Internet network call. Thereafter, the system can enable the owner of the first domain to make assertions or statements about additional domains and URIs that make up the rest of the web page, session or application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Kevin Shull, John-Francis Mergen
  • Patent number: 10467772
    Abstract: A system and method for determining positional order of vehicles across a threshold plane within a dynamic environment is provided. The system can include moving vehicles (e.g., boats) each having a GPS receiver. A reference object (e.g., an anchored boat) can have an image capturing device and a primary GPS receiver, and can be subject to movement induced by the dynamic environment. A fixed object having a known position (e.g., a government buoy) relative to the reference object define a threshold plane, which is subject to movement based on movement of the reference object. Photometric data gathered by the image capturing device and geospatial data gathered from the GPS receivers, the primary GPS receiver, and the fixed object is analyzed by a processor to determine a positional order at which each vehicle crossed the movable threshold plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies, Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary Eric Leuschner, Joshua Nathaniel Edmison, Harrison Brownley, John-Francis Mergen
  • Patent number: 10361860
    Abstract: A system for authentication and validation of the identity of a person. The person carries a mobile device configured to measure motion as the person walks or stands still, generating a time record of motion data. A security system in a facility which the person seeks to access receives the time record of motion data and compares gait characteristics inferred from the time record with gait characteristics inferred from motion data previously obtained for a person whom the person seeking access purports to be. The security system may instruct the person to pause and stand still, and then to begin walking again, and it may then verify that the received time record of motion data includes an interval with little motion at a point in the time record corresponding to the pause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: RAYTHEON BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Matthew Thomas Carr
  • Publication number: 20190220053
    Abstract: A manual interface device is disclosed. The manual interface device can include a first interface component attachable to a manually controllable mechanism. The first interface component can have a first interface surface defining a protrusion or a recess. In addition, the manual interface device can include a second interface component attachable to a human operator. The second interface component can have a second interface surface defining the other of the protrusion or the recess to engage with the first interface surface sufficient to transfer force to operate the manually controllable mechanism. The first and second interface components can be magnetically attracted to one another to maintain engagement of the first and second interface surfaces during operation of the manually controllable mechanism while facilitating selective disengagement of the first and second interface surfaces by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary Eric Leuschner, Gregory Vorsanger, John-Francis Mergen
  • Patent number: 10295593
    Abstract: Embodiments includes an apparatus and method that intentionally illuminate a device with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) to make a conductor of the device a transmitter. A method can include identifying data to be transmitted by the one or more conductors and providing a signal to the electrical or electronic circuitry to cause the electrical or electronic circuitry to change state and produce a first signal on the one or more conductors. The one or more conductors can produce a forced non-linear emission (FNLE) that is a mixture of the first signal and an electromagnetic wave incident thereon that, when decoded by an external device, corresponds to the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Tyler Shake, Joshua N. Edmison, John Dishon, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Christopher Wilder, Thomas Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 10291274
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that intentionally illuminate a number of target devices with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) are provided. The target devices, which may comprise a computer system or other electronic circuits, by their fundamental nature as mixed analog and digital devices, act as non-linear mixers and are forced to emit information about the target device behavior, state, and physical characteristics. The apparatus that implements the method receives the forced emissions signals, extracts useful data from noise, and analyzes the data to determine target device characteristics. The target devices may be powered or unpowered. The apparatus and method provided may avoid impacting target device operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: John Dishon, Joshua N. Edmison, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Kerry Wood, Laurie Waisel, Richard Burne, Tyler Shake
  • Patent number: 10270482
    Abstract: An SDR system and method that intentionally illuminates aircraft systems with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) are provided. The aircraft systems act as non-linear mixers and emit non-linear RF energy. A receiver receives the RF energy response and generates an RF energy representation that is correlated to a database of baseline responses. A correlation response between the received RF energy representation and any one of the baseline responses from the database provides an indication of the aircraft system status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: John Dishon, Joshua N. Edmison, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Kerry Wood, Laurie Waisel, Tyler Shake
  • Patent number: 10264440
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product that intentionally illuminate at least one target device with electromagnetic energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.). The target device, which may be an unpowered data storage device, acts as a non-linear mixer and is forced to emit radiative signals containing information about the target device behavior, state, and physical characteristics. Embodiments receive the forced emissions, extract useful data, and analyze the data to determine target device characteristics (e.g., a target device type, based on a comparison of data from known types). Embodiments control the illumination so the forced emissions radiate from an enclosure without interfering with tactical communications, and so that stored target device data is not affected. Embodiments can locate a hidden target device via the strength and directionality of the forced emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: John Dishon, Joshua N. Edmison, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Kerry Wood, Laurie Waisel, Richard Burne, Tyler Shake
  • Publication number: 20190086470
    Abstract: Embodiments includes an apparatus and method that intentionally illuminate a device with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) to make a conductor of the device a transmitter. A method can include identifying data to be transmitted by the one or more conductors and providing a signal to the electrical or electronic circuitry to cause the electrical or electronic circuitry to change state and produce a first signal on the one or more conductors. The one or more conductors can produce a forced non-linear emission (FNLE) that is a mixture of the first signal and an electromagnetic wave incident thereon that, when decoded by an external device, corresponds to the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Tyler Shake, Joshua N. Edmison, John Dishon, John-Francis Mergen, Zachary Leuschner, Christopher Wilder, Thomas Wilkerson
  • Publication number: 20190073790
    Abstract: A system and method for determining positional order of vehicles across a threshold plane within a dynamic environment is provided. The system can include moving vehicles (e.g., boats) each having a GPS receiver. A reference object (e.g., an anchored boat) can have an image capturing device and a primary GPS receiver, and can be subject to movement induced by the dynamic environment. A fixed object having a known position (e.g., a government buoy) relative to the reference object define a threshold plane, which is subject to movement based on movement of the reference object. Photometric data gathered by the image capturing device and geospatial data gathered from the GPS receivers, the primary GPS receiver, and the fixed object is analyzed by a processor to determine a positional order at which each vehicle crossed the movable threshold plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary Eric Leuschner, Joshua Nathaniel Edmison, Harrison Brownley, John-Francis Mergen
  • Publication number: 20180351931
    Abstract: In one example, a system for authenticating domains operates by authenticating a first domain and the extensions that make up the URI of an initial or primary Internet network call. Thereafter, the system can enable the owner of the first domain to make assertions or statements about additional domains and URIs that make up the rest of the web page, session or application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Kevin Shull, John Francis Mergen
  • Publication number: 20180338214
    Abstract: Personal audio speaker system technology is disclosed. A personal audio speaker system can include a support structure, and a plurality of speakers supported by the support structure. The plurality of speakers can receive adjusted audio signals based on the distance between each of the plurality of speakers and the target location such that sound waves produced from the plurality of speakers superpose in constructive interference at the target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary Eric Leuschner, John-Francis Mergen