Patents by Inventor Michael K. Brown

Michael K. Brown 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: 20090220084
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing messages within a wireless communications system are disclosed. At least part of an encrypted message is received at a device for which it is intended. A security indicator on the device indicates that a message is encrypted. The message is decrypted, and it is determined whether the decrypted message includes a logical attachment. If there is such a logical attachment, an attachment indicator on the device indicates that the encrypted message includes an attachment associated with the message independent of the encryption attachment itself. The indicators may be updated via direct user action, or transparently and free from direct user input to said device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, George Babu
  • Patent number: 7584254
    Abstract: A system and method of selecting messaging settings on a messaging client are provided. A data store configured to operate in conjunction with the messaging client stores records comprising messaging settings or characteristics for previously received and/or sent messages. The messaging client is configured to send outgoing messages, each of the messages having message characteristics, to determine whether a record for an addressed recipient of an outgoing message exists in the data store, and to select messaging settings to control the message characteristics of the outgoing message based on the record where a record exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Anthony F. Scian, Michael K. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090210506
    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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. BROWN, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090209243
    Abstract: A communication device is configured to receive messages. The communication device may comprise a display screen upon which messages are displayed. A microprocessor configured to execute at least one message management program on the communication device, filters incoming messages. The message management program comprising a message filter application filters received messages based on a comparison of sender identification data associated with a received message to approved sender identification data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael E. McCallum
  • Publication number: 20090210718
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing encoded messages within a wireless communications system are disclosed. A server within the wireless communications system performs signature verification of an encoded message and provides, together with the message, an indication to the mobile device that the message has been verified. In addition, the server provides supplemental information, such as, for example, a hash of the certificate or certificate chain used to verify the message, to the device, to enable the device to perform additional checks on the certificate, such as, for example, validity checks, trust checks, strength checks, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. BROWN, Michael S. BROWN, Herbert A. LITTLE
  • Publication number: 20090187796
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing intelligent error messaging is disclosed wherein a user of a mobile communications device is provided with descriptive error messaging information to assist the user in overcoming errors associated with the processing of electronic messages and data. For example, when the mobile device is being used to decrypt a cryptographically secured electronic message, and a problem is encountered, program logic of the device provides the user with (1) an indication of exactly what problem is preventing opening of the message, for example, a required cryptographic key is not available; (2) an indication of exactly what may be done to overcome the problem, for example, what utilities should be run on the device; and (3) exactly what data, if any, needs to be downloaded to the device, for example, what cryptographic keys should be downloaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Nell P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown
  • Patent number: 7565689
    Abstract: Protection of real-time data such as voice data exchanged as packets between a mobile electronic device (10) and a VPN gateway (122) during a media session over a communications link (130) that includes a wireless network (132). A first VPN connection (136) is established between the mobile electronic device (10) and the VPN gateway (122) through the communications link (130), the first VPN connection (136) using key-based encryption to protect data exchanged therethrough. While the first VPN connection (136) is established, a second VPN connection (138) is established between the mobile electronic device (10) and the VPN gateway (122) through the communications link (130), the second VPN connection (138) using key-based encryption to protect data exchanged therethrough. Real-time data packets are exchanged between the mobile electronic device (10) and the VPN gateway (122) through the second VPN connection (138).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Thomas C. Nagy, Ian M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7565577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing intelligent error messaging is disclosed wherein a user of a mobile communications device is provided with descriptive error messaging information to assist the user in overcoming errors associated with the processing of electronic messages and data. For example, when the mobile device is being used to decrypt a cryptographically secured electronic message, and a problem is encountered, program logic of the device provides the user with (1) an indication of exactly what problem is preventing opening of the message, for example, a required cryptographic key is not available; (2) an indication of exactly what may be done to overcome the problem, for example, what utilities should be run on the device; and (3) exactly what data, if any, needs to be downloaded to the device, for example, what cryptographic keys should be downloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090179077
    Abstract: A portable adapter for using a contact smart card with a contactless smart card reader and a contactless smart card with a contact smart card reader. The adaptor is provided with a casing that is configured to engage a contact smart card or a contactless smart card, and is provided with an exterior portion that physically cooperates via a contact pad with a contact smart card reader. The adapter is provided with an interface passing signals between a contactless smart card and a contact smart card reader, and an interface for passing signals between a contact smart card and a contactless smart card reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. BROWN, Michael S. BROWN, Michael G. KIRKUP
  • Publication number: 20090183230
    Abstract: A method for processing security communication protocol compliant signed receipts at a mobile communication device linked to a host system is provided. The host system receives an email message linked to a digital signature, and a signed receipt. The host system redirects the signed receipt to the mobile communication device. The host system determines if the email message is available at the mobile communication device, and if not, the host system retrieves the email message and redirects the email message to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device can then verify the signed receipt based on the email message. Optionally, rather than the email message, the host system retrieves and/or recalculates data elements associated with the email message and required to verify the signed receipt, and redirects these data elements to the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Neil Adams, Michael S. Brown, Luis Estable
  • Patent number: 7562218
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to a method and device for authenticating a user of a computer and a corresponding system using the method and device. The device is a handheld electronic device having accessible thereto a first authentication code of the user. The handheld electronic device requires a second authentication code for enabling use thereof. In order to authenticate the user to the computer, the handheld electronic device is configured to transmit the first authentication code to the computer over a communication link between the computer and the handheld electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Herbert A. Little
  • Publication number: 20090177880
    Abstract: A method and system for providing e-mail messages to a receiving e-mail application. The e-mail messages as sent from a sending e-mail application being secure and in opaque signed format. The opaque signed e-mail messages being converted to clear signed e-mail messages by decoding extracting message content and digital signatures. The clear signed e-mails being sent to a receiving e-mail application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. BROWN, Michael S. BROWN, Michael G. KIRKUP
  • Patent number: 7558387
    Abstract: A device coupled to a smart card reader may request random data from a smart card inserted into the smart card reader, and the smart card reader may incorporate the random data into its randomness pool. A device having a source of random data may have a driver installed thereon for another device and the driver may extract random data from the source and transmit it securely over a wireless communication link to the other device. The other device, which may be a smart card reader, may incorporate the extracted random data into its randomness pool. A smart card reader may incorporate traffic received from a smart card inserted therein into its randomness pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herb Little, Michael McCallum, Michael K. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090165125
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling user access to a computing device (e.g. a mobile device). In some embodiments, access rights are provided to a user based on successfully verified authentication factors, even where the user is unable to provide all the authentication factors typically required for access to the computing device. In one broad aspect, one or more authentication factors are provided by a user, and are received and verified by a security module application residing and executing on the computing device. When less than all of the authentication factors that would typically be expected in authenticating a user for access to the computing device is received and successfully verified, a subset of the available access rights selected from a plurality of different pre-defined subsets of access rights is provided to the user. The specific access rights provided to the user are based on the successfully verified authentication factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup
  • Patent number: 7548954
    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: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael S. Brown
  • Patent number: 7543122
    Abstract: Increasing security for a hand-held data processing device with communication functionality where such a device includes an access-ordered memory cache relating to communications carried out by the device. The hand-held data processing device has a locked state that is entered by the device receiving or initiating a trigger. On occurrence of the trigger to enter the locked state the memory cache is reordered so as to disrupt the access-ordering of the cache to obscure device traffic information and thus increase the security of the device in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Michael S. Brown
  • Patent number: 7539730
    Abstract: A system and method of selecting messaging settings on a messaging client are provided. A display configured to operate in conjunction with the messaging client displays a compose screen that includes a message portion and a messaging settings portion when an outgoing message is to be composed on the messaging client. Messaging settings selected to control message characteristics of the outgoing message are displayed in the messaging settings portion of the compose screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Anthony F. Scian, Michael K. Brown
  • Patent number: 7533331
    Abstract: A system for adding a redundancy check to an electronic message to discourage tampering and facilitate identification of altered messages provides a communication device for composing message content, a messaging module with a formatting and encoding layer for encoding the message content with header information in a series of message blocks, and an encryption layer for calculating a redundancy check value and inserting the value in one or more locations within the series of message blocks according a rule defined by a characteristic of the message content or the header information, and encrypting the message for delivery to a recipient. Upon receipt, the recipient communication device decrypts the message, extracts the redundancy check value from the message, and compares a calculated redundancy check value with the extracted redundancy check value to determine if the message had been altered before receipt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090111504
    Abstract: Different target transmit powers are determined for different wireless transmissions from a wireless device. The target transmit power of a wireless transmission may depend upon whether any transmitters other than the device to which the wireless transmission is to be sent are within range of the sending wireless device. The target transmit power of a wireless transmission may be based, at least in part, on a current location of a device to which one or more frames carried by the wireless transmission are addressed. The target transmit power of a wireless transmission may be based, at least in part, on confidentiality of data carried by the wireless transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Scott Totzke, Herb Little, Neil Adams, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090113543
    Abstract: A system and method for authenticating a user to a user device using one or more-factor authentication with a certificate are provided. The status of the certificate is stored at the user device such that the stored status is queried during the authentication process. The status is updated as a background operation on the user device on a periodic basis. In the event that the user device fails to obtain updated status information, further status update requests are issued by the user device at varying time intervals until a response is received. In the event that the user is authenticated to the device but the certificate is subsequently revoked, access to all or a subset of user data and functions on the user device may be restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Herbert A. Little, Michael K. Brown