Patents by Inventor Michael Grant Kirkup

Michael Grant Kirkup 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).

  • Publication number: 20140359274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral device (e.g. a keyboard, a printer). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at one of the two devices. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the one device, which can be input by the user at the other device. The encryption key is then recovered at the other device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Stephen Brown
  • Patent number: 8855310
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral device (e.g. a keyboard, a printer). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at one of the two devices. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the one device, which can be input by the user at the other device. The encryption key is then recovered at the other device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Stephen Brown
  • Patent number: 8839421
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating the effects of a malicious software application are disclosed. A dedicated module on the computing device receives from a malicious software detector a message indicating whether the application is malicious or has a malicious component. The dedicated module obtains a set of permissions to be granted to the application, and instructs software on the computing device that controls the permissions of the application to grant the set of permissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Oliver Whitehouse, Michael Grant Kirkup, Christopher Lyle Bender, Michael Kenneth Brown
  • Patent number: 8804966
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling message attachment handling functions on a mobile device is described herein. An attachment handling control can be set to identify one of a number of selected attachment handling control modes. Depending on the attachment handling control mode identified, a request for the attachment structure that includes a decrypted session key for an encrypted message received at the mobile device may or may not be automatically sent to a remote server. This may provide the user with increased control over the content of an encrypted message that the remote server may access when determining the attachment structure for a message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Brown, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Patent number: 8788812
    Abstract: A system and method for retrieving certificates and/or verifying the revocation status of certificates. In one embodiment, when a user opens a digitally signed message, a certificate that is required to verify the digital signature on the message may be automatically retrieved if it is not stored on the user's computing device (e.g. a mobile device), eliminating the need for users to initiate the task manually. Verification of the digital signature may also be automatically performed by the application after the certificate is retrieved. Verification of the revocation status of a certificate may also be automatically performed if it is determined that the time that has elapsed since the status was last updated exceeds a pre-specified limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Brown, Herbert Anthony Little, Neil Patrick Adams, Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown
  • Patent number: 8775798
    Abstract: A system and method for retrieving certificates and/or verifying the revocation status of certificates. In one embodiment, when a user opens a digitally signed message, a certificate that is required to verify the digital signature on the message may be automatically retrieved if it is not stored on the user's computing device (e.g. a mobile device), eliminating the need for users to initiate the task manually. Verification of the digital signature may also be automatically performed by the application after the certificate is retrieved. Verification of the revocation status of a certificate may also be automatically performed if it is determined that the time that has elapsed since the status was last updated exceeds a pre-specified limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Brown, Herbert Anthony Little, Neil Patrick Adams, Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown
  • Patent number: 8719565
    Abstract: A system and method for processing certificates located in a certificate search. Certificates located in a certificate search are processed at a data server (e.g. a mobile data server) coupled to a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) to determine status data that can be used to indicate the status of those certificates to a user of the computing device, without having to download those certificates to the computing device in their entirety. The data server is further adapted to transmit the status data to the computing device. In one embodiment, at least one status property of the certificates is verified at the data server in determining the status data. In another embodiment, additional certificate data is determined and transmitted to the computing device, which can be used by the computing device to verify, at the computing device, at least one other status property of the certificates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Michael Stephen Brown, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Patent number: 8719951
    Abstract: A method for preventing a recipient of an electronically transmitted message from taking at least one action in relation to the message is disclosed. The message has at least two parts with one of the parts having a higher level of security than the other part. The method includes the step of extracting information from the message. The information indicates that the higher level security part is not permitted to have the action taken on it while the other part is so permitted. The method also includes the step of preventing the higher level security part from having the action taken on it in reaction to said recipient making an offending request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Stephen Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Patent number: 8689286
    Abstract: A device comprising a processor is disclosed herein. In one broad aspect, the processor is configured to: determine whether a general message encoding configuration setting at the device is set to a first setting indicating that when a security encoding is to be applied to a message, the security encoding is to be established by a policy engine, wherein the established security encoding cannot be overridden by a security encoding selection algorithm at the device; and if the general message encoding configuration setting is set to the first setting, transmit the message to at least one message recipient via the policy engine such that the policy engine applies the security encoding to the message prior to the policy engine transmitting the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Stephen Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Publication number: 20140087694
    Abstract: Systems and methods of connection control for wireless mobile communication devices enabled for communication via a plurality of communication connections are provided. Connection control information associates software applications with communication connections. When a connection request specifying a requested connection is received from a software application, it is determined whether the requested connection is permitted by the connection control information. Where the requested connection is permitted by the connection control information, the requested connection is opened. If the requested connection is a first connection opened by the software application, then the software application is associated with the requested connection in the connection control information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Grant KIRKUP, Herbert Anthony LITTLE, David Paul YACH
  • Publication number: 20140075191
    Abstract: A method of handling cryptographic information in a communication comprising body elements and attachment elements to a mobile device includes the steps of determining if the communication includes an attachment element comprising cryptographic information and converting the attachment element into a body element upon determining that the communication includes an attachment element comprising cryptographic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Herbert Anthony LITTLE, Albert HECHT-ENNS, David Francis TAPUSKA, Michael Stephen BROWN, Michael Grant KIRKUP
  • Patent number: 8606871
    Abstract: A displayed string of emails is effectively compressed for improved readability by deleting some or all headers and/or by skipping the cursor from one message body to another in response to hot key actuation(s) by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Stephen Brown
  • Publication number: 20130318344
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for pre-processing encrypted and/or signed messages at a host system before the message is transmitted to a wireless mobile communication device. The message is received at the host system from a message sender. There is a determination as to whether any of the message receivers has a corresponding wireless mobile communication device. For each message receiver that has a corresponding wireless mobile communication device, the message is processed so as to modify the message with respect to one or more encryption and/or authentication aspects. The processed message is transmitted to a wireless mobile communication device that corresponds to the first message receiver. The system and method may include post-processing messages sent from a wireless mobile communications device to a host system. Authentication and/or encryption message processing is performed upon the message. The processed message may then be sent through the host system to one or more receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Brown, Neil Patrick Adams, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, Herbert Anthony Little
  • Patent number: 8589677
    Abstract: A system and method for searching and retrieving certificates, which may be used in the processing of encoded messages. In one embodiment, all certificates related to an identified certificate are retrieved from the certificate servers automatically by the certificate synchronization application, where the related certificates comprise at least one of one or more CA certificates and one or more cross-certificates. Embodiments described herein facilitate at least partial automation of the downloading and establishment of certificate chains, thereby minimizing the need for users to manually search for individual certificates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Brown, Herbert Anthony Little, Neil Patrick Adams, Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown
  • Publication number: 20130254437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral. The mobile device is configured to determine whether to handle user approval of the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral. Through the mobile device, an input mechanism is provided for the user to provide input. The input is used in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Christopher Pattenden
  • 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: 8539226
    Abstract: A method and system for Certificate management and transfer between messaging clients are disclosed. When communications are established between a first messaging client and a second messaging client, one or more Certificates stored on the first messaging client may be selected and transferred to the second messaging client. Messaging clients may thereby share Certificates. Certificate management functions such as Certificate deletions, Certificate updates and Certificate status checks may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Herbert Anthony Little, Neil Patrick Adams, David Francis Tapuska, Michael Stephen Brown, James Andrew Godfrey, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Patent number: 8533329
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for integrating authentication protocols in the establishment of connections between a controlled-access first computing device and at least one second computing device. In one embodiment, network access user authentication data needed to access the at least one second computing device is transmitted to an authentication server automatically if the user has access to use the first computing device, thereby not requiring the user to manually enter the authentication data needed for such access at the first computing device. The network access user authentication data may be, for example, retrieved from a memory store of the first computing device and/or generated in accordance with an authentication data generating algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan F. Hammell, Ian M. Robertson, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, Herbert Anthony Little
  • Patent number: RE44746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data transfers between a secure location and a less secure location. A data transfer checker operating on a mobile device determines whether an attempted data transfer between two locations is permitted. If it is not permitted, then the data transfer is prevented and the user may be notified of the data transfer prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Patent number: RE45087
    Abstract: A method and system for Certificate management and transfer between messaging clients are disclosed. When communications are established between a first messaging client and a second messaging client, one or more Certificates stored on the first messaging client may be selected and transferred to the second messaging client. Messaging clients may thereby share Certificates. Certificate management functions such as Certificate deletions, Certificate updates and Certificate status checks may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Herbert Anthony Little, Neil Patrick Adams, David Francis Tapuska, Michael Stephen Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, James Andrew Godfrey