Patents by Inventor John Michael

John Michael 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: 12250318
    Abstract: A device (100;120;140) and method (600) for storing encryption keys are provided. The device comprises: a first connector for connection to a computer, an internal memory (104); an input module (101); and an authentication module (103) for receiving user identification information, via the input module, from a user. The authentication module is configured to check received user identification information against stored user identification information stored on the internal memory to determine if a user is a valid user. A first data encryption key, DEK, is stored in encrypted form on the internal memory and is associated with the stored user identification information of a first plurality of user identities, and a second DEK is stored in encrypted form on the internal memory and is associated with the stored user identification information of a second, different, plurality of user identities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: iStorage Ltd
    Inventors: John Michael, Quan Xu
  • Patent number: 12184783
    Abstract: A method of configuring a controller 14 for controlling access to a memory 12 is provided. The controller 14 has a display 18 configured to selectively display a plurality of different input screens, wherein each input screen has a unique code associated therewith and the input screens are for receiving user credentials from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: iStorage Limited
    Inventor: John Michael
  • Publication number: 20240419815
    Abstract: A portable encryption device (100) is provided comprising: a controller (103) having a plurality of modes; an internal memory (104) for storing a plurality of encryption keys; a battery (B); an input device (101) connected to the controller and for selecting between the plurality of modes; and a connector (105) for connecting the portable encryption device to a computer (200). The battery (B) is arranged to selectively provide electrical power to the controller and input device such that the plurality of modes are user-selectable while the device is not connected to a computer. In a first mode of the plurality of modes, the controller (103) is configured to encrypt and decrypt data using a first encryption algorithm and, in a second mode of the plurality of modes, the controller (103) is configured to encrypt and decrypt data using a second encryption algorithm, different from the first encryption algorithm. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: John MICHAEL, Quan XU
  • Patent number: 12088721
    Abstract: A dongle for ciphering, receiving and transmitting data to and from an external device is provided. The dongle includes a user interface configured to receive authentication data to confirm an identity of a user. The dongle is disabled for ciphering data unless an authorised user is identified. A data transfer channel is configured to couple the dongle to the external device to receive and transmit user data between the dongle and the external device. A hardware encryption engine is configured to perform a ciphering transformation on user data received from the external device. The dongle is configured to perform a return transmission to return the user data that has been transformed to the external device via the data transfer channel in real-time using a single data transfer channel without storage of the user data on the dongle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: iStorage Limited
    Inventors: John Michael, Quan Xu
  • Publication number: 20230421378
    Abstract: A device (100;120;140) and method (600) for storing encryption keys are provided. The device comprises: a first connector for connection to a computer, an internal memory (104); an input module (101); and an authentication module (103) for receiving user identification information, via the input module, from a user. The authentication module is configured to check received user identification information against stored user identification information stored on the internal memory to determine if a user is a valid user. A first data encryption key, DEK, is stored in encrypted form on the internal memory and is associated with the stored user identification information of a first plurality of user identities, and a second DEK is stored in encrypted form on the internal memory and is associated with the stored user identification information of a second, different, plurality of user identities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: John MICHAEL, Quan XU
  • Patent number: 11677546
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for securely transferring master keying material between to a slave dongle (12). Each slave dongle (12) is connected to a data transfer system. The slave dongle (12) contains a public key and a private key and the data transfer system holds a master keying material source that contains master keying material to be transferred securely to the slave dongle (12). The slave dongle's public key is transferred to the master keying material source. The master keying material source encrypts the master keying material with the slave dongle's public key to produce an encrypted master keying material. The encrypted master keying material is sent to the slave dongle (12) and the slave dongle (12) decrypts the encrypted master keying material with the slave dongle's private key. This allows multiple users, each having a slave dongle (12a-n) that has been configured in this manner, to use the same master keying material to securely communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: iStorage Limited
    Inventor: John Michael
  • Publication number: 20230006828
    Abstract: A method of configuring a controller 14 for controlling access to a memory 12 is provided. The controller 14 has a display 18 configured to selectively display a plurality of different input screens, wherein each input screen has a unique code associated therewith and the input screens are for receiving user credentials from a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventor: John MICHAEL
  • Publication number: 20220131701
    Abstract: A dongle for ciphering, receiving and transmitting data to and from an external device is provided. The dongle includes a user interface configured to receive authentication data to confirm an identity of a user. The dongle is disabled for ciphering data unless an authorised user is identified. A data transfer channel is configured to couple the dongle to the external device to receive and transmit user data between the dongle and the external device. A hardware encryption engine is configured to perform a ciphering transformation on user data received from the external device. The dongle is configured to perform a return transmission to return the user data that has been transformed to the external device via the data transfer channel in real-time using a single data transfer channel without storage of the user data on the dongle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: John MICHAEL, Quan XU
  • Patent number: 11233653
    Abstract: A dongle for ciphering, receiving and transmitting data to and from an external device is provided. The dongle includes a user interface configured to receive authentication data to confirm an identity of a user. The dongle is disabled for ciphering data unless an authorised user is identified. A data transfer channel is configured to couple the dongle to the external device to receive and transmit user data between the dongle and the external device. A hardware encryption engine is configured to perform a ciphering transformation on user data received from the external device. The dongle is configured to perform a return transmission to return the user data that has been transformed to the external device via the data transfer channel in real-time using a single data transfer channel without storage of the user data on the dongle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: iStorage Limited
    Inventors: John Michael, Quan Xu
  • Publication number: 20210281399
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for securely transferring master keying material between to a slave dongle (12). Each slave dongle (12) is connected to a data transfer system. The slave dongle (12) contains a public key and a private key and the data transfer system holds a master keying material source that contains master keying material to be transferred securely to the slave dongle (12). The slave dongle's public key is transferred to the master keying material source. The master keying material source encrypts the master keying material with the slave dongle's public key to produce an encrypted master keying material. The encrypted master keying material is sent to the slave dongle (12) and the slave dongle (12) decrypts the encrypted master keying material with the slave dongle's private key. This allows multiple users, each having a slave dongle (12a-n) that has been configured in this manner, to use the same master keying material to securely communicate with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: John MICHAEL
  • Patent number: 11074332
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for securely transferring master keying material between a master dongle (10) and a slave dongle (12). Each dongle (10,12) is connected to a data transfer system. The slave dongle (12) contains a public key and a private key and the master dongle (10) contains master keying material that is to be transferred securely to the slave dongle (12). The data transfer system reads the slave dongle's public key and sends it to the master dongle (10). The master dongle (10) encrypts the master keying material with the slave dongle's public key to produce an encrypted master keying material. The encrypted master keying material is sent via the data transfer system to the slave dongle (12) and the slave dongle (12) decrypts the encrypted master keying material with the slave dongle's private key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: iStorage Limited
    Inventor: John Michael
  • Patent number: 11032069
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for securely transferring master keying material between to a slave dongle (12). Each slave dongle (12) is connected to a data transfer system. The slave dongle (12) contains a public key and a private key and the data transfer system holds a master keying material source that contains master keying material to be transferred securely to the slave dongle (12). The slave dongle's public key is transferred to the master keying material source. The master keying material source encrypts the master keying material with the slave dongle's public key to produce an encrypted master keying material. The encrypted master keying material is sent to the slave dongle (12) and the slave dongle (12) decrypts the encrypted master keying material with the slave dongle's private key. This allows multiple users, each having a slave dongle (12a-n) that has been configured in this manner, to use the same master keying material to securely communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: iStorage Limited
    Inventor: John Michael
  • Publication number: 20200145202
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for securely transferring master keying material between to a slave dongle (12). Each slave dongle (12) is connected to a data transfer system. The slave dongle (12) contains a public key and a private key and the data transfer system holds a master keying material source that contains master keying material to be transferred securely to the slave dongle (12). The slave dongle's public key is transferred to the master keying material source. The master keying material source encrypts the master keying material with the slave dongle's public key to produce an encrypted master keying material. The encrypted master keying material is sent to the slave dongle (12) and the slave dongle (12) decrypts the encrypted master keying material with the slave dongle's private key. This allows multiple users, each having a slave dongle (12a-n) that has been configured in this manner, to use the same master keying material to securely communicate with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventor: John MICHAEL
  • Publication number: 20190379542
    Abstract: A dongle for ciphering, receiving and transmitting data to and from an external device is provided. The dongle includes a user interface configured to receive authentication data to confirm an identity of a user. The dongle is disabled for ciphering data unless an authorised user is identified. A data transfer channel is configured to couple the dongle to the external device to receive and transmit user data between the dongle and the external device. A hardware encryption engine is configured to perform a ciphering transformation on user data received from the external device. The dongle is configured to perform a return transmission to return the user data that has been transformed to the external device via the data transfer channel in real-time using a single data transfer channel without storage of the user data on the dongle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: John MICHAEL, Quan XU
  • Publication number: 20190095604
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for securely transferring master keying material between a master dongle (10) and a slave dongle (12). Each dongle (10,12) is connected to a data transfer system. The slave dongle (12) contains a public key and a private key and the master dongle (10) contains master keying material that is to be transferred securely to the slave dongle (12). The data transfer system reads the slave dongle's public key and sends it to the master dongle (10). The master dongle (10) encrypts the master keying material with the slave dongle's public key to produce an encrypted master keying material. The encrypted master keying material is sent via the data transfer system to the slave dongle (12) and the slave dongle (12) decrypts the encrypted master keying material with the slave dongle's private key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: John MICHAEL
  • Patent number: 8739696
    Abstract: A dough preparing machine for preparing dough is provided. The dough preparing machine includes a dough batching system for assembling dry ingredients, a dough mixing device, and a dough compressing and dividing device. The dough preparing machine is operable to produce customizable and discrete loaves of dough for baking. The dough preparing machine gathers necessary ingredients for making dough, mixes the dough to a desired consistency, and divides the dough. The mixing device is configured to mix the dough in a bowl and transfer the dough to a container for compressing and dividing operations. The compressing and dividing device includes a first plate having a plurality of blocks and a second plate having a plurality of blades. The blades are configured to slide between the blocks after compressing operations and divide the dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: InSitu Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Anderson, John Michael, Dan Roman, Tim Hancock
  • Publication number: 20110203463
    Abstract: A dough preparing machine for preparing dough is provided. The dough preparing machine includes a dough batching system for assembling dry ingredients, a dough mixing device, and a dough compressing and dividing device. The dough preparing machine is operable to produce customizable and discrete loaves of dough for baking. The dough preparing machine gathers necessary ingredients for making dough, mixes the dough to a desired consistency, and divides the dough. The mixing device is configured to mix the dough in a bowl and transfer the dough to a container for compressing and dividing operations. The compressing and dividing device includes a first plate having a plurality of blocks and a second plate having a plurality of blades. The blades are configured to slide between the blocks after compressing operations and divide the dough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Rick Anderson, John Michael, Dan Roman, Tim Hancock
  • Publication number: 20110060921
    Abstract: A device for encryption of data. The device may include a first coupling for connection to a computer, a second coupling for connection to an external data storage device, and an encryption circuit for encryption and decryption of data stored on or being transferred to the external data storage device, wherein the encryption circuit is arranged such that during encryption a decryption key is stored on the external data storage device, and such that during decryption the decryption key is retrieved from the external data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: John Michael
  • Publication number: 20060061016
    Abstract: A process for making a flexible structure that includes at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property that differs in value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Gregory Gordon, David Cabell, Larry Mackey, John Michael, Paul Trokhan
  • Publication number: 20050136253
    Abstract: Rotary spinning processes, more particularly processes for making hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers using a rotary spinning die, hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers made by the processes and webs made with the hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: John Michael, Stanford Jackson, Michael James, Hasan Eroglu, Savas Aydore, Edwin Stewart