Patents by Inventor Michael J. Covington

Michael J. Covington 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: 8804701
    Abstract: A machine, such as a mobile device having telephony features, such as a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony application, is configured with a secure environment in which a location provider within (more reliable) or external to (less reliable) the machine may determine location data for the machine and securely provide it to a telephony application program for incorporation into a call setup for calling a callee. The secure environment may be created through use of one or more of Intel's LaGrande Technology™ (LT), Vanderpool Technology (VT), or a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The LT and VT allow defining secure independent components within the machine, such as by instantiating them as Virtual Machines, and the TPM allows components to cryptographically sign data, such as to facilitate ensuring the location data is not tampered with. A recipient of a telephone call setup including cryptographically secured location data may validate the location data and accept the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Manoj R. Sastry, Farid Adrangi, Deepak J. Manohar, Shao-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8689349
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, devices, and machine-readable mediums for implementing gesture-based signature authentication. In one embodiment, a method may involve generating a data protection policy from an un-trusted software environment to govern access to protected data stored in memory in the local computer system. Then the method maps the data protection policy to an enforceable system-level data protection policy managed by an Information Flow and Tracking Protection (IFTP) logic. Next, the method flags the first memory page containing the protected data. Finally, the method enforces the generated data protection policy for the first memory page containing the protected data using the IFTP logic and the enforceable system-level data protection policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Sahita, Michael J. Covington
  • Publication number: 20110277038
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, devices, and machine-readable mediums for implementing gesture-based signature authentication. In one embodiment, a method may involve generating a data protection policy from an un-trusted software environment to govern access to protected data stored in memory in the local computer system. Then the method maps the data protection policy to an enforceable system-level data protection policy managed by an Information Flow and Tracking Protection (IFTP) logic. Next, the method flags the first memory page containing the protected data. Finally, the method enforces the generated data protection policy for the first memory page containing the protected data using the IFTP logic and the enforceable system-level data protection policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Ravi Sahita, Michael J. Covington
  • Publication number: 20110225626
    Abstract: A machine, such as a mobile device having telephony features, such as a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony application, is configured with a secure environment in which a location provider within (more reliable) or external to (less reliable) the machine may determine location data for the machine and securely provide it to a telephony application program for incorporation into a call setup for calling a callee. The secure environment may be created through use of one or more of Intel's LaGrande Technology™ (LT), Vanderpool Technology (VT), or a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The LT and VT allow defining secure independent components within the machine, such as by instantiating them as Virtual Machines, and the TPM allows components to cryptographically sign data, such as to facilitate ensuring the location data is not tampered with. A recipient of a telephone call setup including cryptographically secured location data may validate the location data and accept the call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Manoj R. Sastry, Farid Adrangi, Deepak J. Manohar, Shao-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7965702
    Abstract: A machine, such as a mobile device having telephony features, such as a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony application, is configured with a secure environment in which a location provider within (more reliable) or external to (less reliable) the machine may determine location data for the machine and securely provide it to a telephony application program for incorporation into a call setup for calling a callee. The secure environment may be created through use of one or more of Intel's LaGrande Technology™ (LT), Vanderpool Technology (VT), or a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The LT and VT allow defining secure independent components within the machine, such as by instantiating them as Virtual Machines, and the TPM allows components to cryptographically sign data, such as to facilitate ensuring the location data is not tampered with. A recipient of a telephone call setup including cryptographically secured location data may validate the location data and accept the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Manoj R. Sastry, Farid Adrangi, Deepak J. Manohar, Shao-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7836672
    Abstract: A remote control system and apparatus enabling safely accessing the interior of a cotton compacting chamber and other regions of a cotton harvester, and also operating aspects of the compacting apparatus contained therein and thereabout, and which system is optionally operable for operating other aspects of the harvester, for inspection, maintenance and/or service, as well as other purposes. The system requires initial steps, including to safely neutralize or lock out operating systems of the harvester, then enables accessing designated interior locations of the compactor and the ability to operate systems therein, including aspects of the compacting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John F. Link, Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7677169
    Abstract: A cotton module building apparatus, utilizing imaging apparatus operable for capturing real-time images of the module building process, including accumulated cotton in the module building chamber, cotton inflow, and the in-process cotton module, and a method for building a cotton module using the images. The imaging apparatus includes a camera or cameras disposed at advantageous locations about the module building chamber, and cotton is distributed and moved within the chamber responsive to the images, for advantageous placement and distribution for forming a module having a desired consistency and top shape. Imaging apparatus can also be provided for observing unloading of a module from the chamber, and for facilitating maneuvering and positioning the unloading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale, Jimmy Ray Hargett
  • Publication number: 20100024045
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method is disclosed for accepting and enforcing user selectable privacy settings for context awareness including location awareness data on a computing platform. The method may identify a requestor, assign a privacy setting to the requester then detect a request for location information from the requestor. The method may transmit location information to the requester based on the user selected privacy setting. The user selected privacy setting may have a granularity assigned to each requestor based on a privacy preference and the method may entirely block the location information from being disclosed or the method may modify the granularity/accuracy of the location information based on the privacy setting to report context of an appropriate level of granularity according to the privacy setting configured by the user. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Manoj R. Sastry, Michael J. Covington, Ram Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7543676
    Abstract: An operator presence system for a cotton harvester including an on-board cotton module builder, the system including a mount for installing a ground access ladder at a first position for providing access to a service platform for routine service and maintenance, and a second mount at a second location for installing the ground access ladder adjacent to a ladder segment extending to an upper region of the machine, the mount at the second location including a switch or other device for disabling or locking out at least a hydraulic system of the module builder when the ladder is mounted to the second mount, and which re-enables operation when the ladder is removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin S. Richman, Michael J. Covington, F. Randall Hugh
  • Publication number: 20090069986
    Abstract: A cotton module building apparatus, utilizing imaging apparatus operable for capturing real-time images of the module building process, including accumulated cotton in the module building chamber, cotton inflow, and the in-process cotton module, and a method for building a cotton module using the images. The imaging apparatus includes a camera or cameras disposed at advantageous locations about the module building chamber, and cotton is distributed and moved within the chamber responsive to the images, for advantageous placement and distribution for forming a module having a desired consistency and top shape. Imaging apparatus can also be provided for observing unloading of a module from the chamber, and for facilitating maneuvering and positioning the unloading apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale, Jimmy Ray Hargett
  • Publication number: 20090013661
    Abstract: A remote control system and apparatus enabling safely accessing the interior of a cotton compacting chamber and other regions of a cotton harvester, and also operating aspects of the compacting apparatus contained therein and thereabout, and which system is optionally operable for operating other aspects of the harvester, for inspection, maintenance and/or service, as well as other purposes. The system requires initial steps, including to safely neutralize or lock out operating systems of the harvester, then enables accessing designated interior locations of the compactor and the ability to operate systems therein, including aspects of the compacting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: John F. Link, Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7426818
    Abstract: A cotton receiver for a cotton harvesting machine and a method of operation of the same. The receiver includes a cotton compacting chamber, a precompacting area above the chamber, and an accumulator deployable upwardly from the precompacting area to increase the cotton holding capacity thereof. Compactor apparatus is located in the compacting chamber and is configured for holding cotton thereabove separate from cotton therebelow. the compactor apparatus is movable downwardly against cotton therebelow for compacting it into a unitary body or module, including while holding cotton thereabove, and is controllably operable for conveying cotton held thereabove downwardly therethrough, subsequent to unloading a completed compacted body of cotton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jesse H. Orsborn, Michael J. Covington, Kevin S. Richman
  • Patent number: 7401496
    Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a cotton module builder having a compactor frame, the system including an electronic controller configured to move the compactor frame to a plurality of positions, to read a compactor frame position sensor or sensors in the first and second positions, and to calibrate the sensor or sensors based on the sensor readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Yun Ren Ho, Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7392644
    Abstract: A cotton packager for mounting on a chassis of a cotton harvester interchangeably with a cotton basket, allowing for pivotal movement of the packager between an operating position and a tilted unloading position. The packager includes a pivotable fluid cylinder which attaches to the chassis in place of a fixed front lift cylinder of the basket, and a rear pivot which attaches to the chassis in place of a rear lift cylinder. As a result, a rear open end of the packager can be lowered closer to a surface onto which cotton is to be unloaded, and drivers for an unloader door of the packager can be subjected to less damaging loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale, Gary R. Gallens
  • Patent number: 7322460
    Abstract: A pivoting unloading door for ramp assembly and common conveyor drive for door or ramp segments thereof. The door or ramp segments are pivotable about a pivotal axis between a folded or closed position in generally overlaying relation one to the other, and an unfolded or open unloading position in parallel, end-to-end relation, the door segments including conveyors thereon for conveying objects or matter thereover when in the unloading position. The door assembly includes a common drive for the conveyors which is disposed beneath the conveyors in the unloading position in coaxial relation with the pivotal axis, and which is operable for simultaneously moving the conveyors. The output of the drive can extend through a pivot joint connecting the door segments, and can connect the elements of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens
  • Patent number: 7320639
    Abstract: A cotton receiving basket for an on-board cotton harvesting machine including a lower basket having a plurality of upwardly extending walls having upper portions including elongate upper seal elements extending therealong, respectively; a basket lid having a plurality of downwardly extending walls having lower portions including elongate lower seal elements extending therealong, respectively, and the lower basket and the basket lid being telescopically related so as to be movable one relative to the other between a telescopically retracted position and a telescopically extended position, and wherein the upper and lower seal elements have oppositely facing tapered seal surfaces, respectively, which are cooperatively engaged along substantially the lengths thereof forming substantially sealed conditions therebetween when the lower basket and the basket lid are in the telescopically extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Tracy R. Archer, Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks
  • Patent number: 7320208
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7320209
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7296392
    Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7296512
    Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Amercia LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens, George H. Hale