Patents by Inventor Michael S. Brown

Michael S. 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).

  • Patent number: 8073835
    Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Lowles, Jason T. Griffin, Michael S. Brown
  • Patent number: 8074066
    Abstract: Electronic messages are sent from a sending system to an identified recipient and are encoded using information contained in a certificate. A key store is accessed by a messaging application to determine if a certificate associated with the recipient is present. If no certificate is present in the key store the messaging application accesses one or more certificate services to obtain a certificate. Where validation of the retrieved certificate is required, the messaging application invokes a certificate validation process. One or more further certificates are obtained by the messaging application where the retrieved certificate is invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, Herb Little
  • Patent number: 8074072
    Abstract: A challenge response scheme authenticates a requesting device by an authenticating device. The authenticating device generates and issues a challenge to the requesting device. The requesting device combines the challenge with a hash of a password provided by a user, and the combination is further hashed in order to generate a requesting encryption key used to encrypt the user supplied password. The encrypted user supplied password is sent to the authenticating device as a response to the issued challenge. The authenticating device generates an authenticating encryption key by generating the hash of a combination of the challenge and a stored hash of an authenticating device password. The authenticating encryption key is used to decrypt the response in order to retrieve the user-supplied password. If the user-supplied password hash matches the stored authenticating device password hash, the requesting device is authenticated and the authenticating device is in possession of the password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, Herbert A. Little
  • Patent number: 8074078
    Abstract: A method for securing data and resetting a password using a content protection key is provided, in which the content protection key itself is protected by a password. A content protection key is also protected at a data storage device with a key encryption key generated in collaboration with an additional device such as a server. The server stores a private key required to regenerate the key encryption key, but this private key is not provided from the server to the data storage device; rather, a public key derived from the private key is provided by the server. The data storage device combines the received public key and a further private key to derive the key encryption key; the further private key itself is not stored by the data storage device, but rather its matching public key is stored. The content protection key is then encrypted using a password and the derived key encryption key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little
  • Publication number: 20110294471
    Abstract: A device and method for generating user notifications associated with tasks that are pending completion on a mobile device. When additional input is required from a user of the mobile device to complete performance of a task and is not being received from the user within a predefined time period, at least one form of user notification is generated. The particular form or forms of user notification are defined by a user profile associated with the user. User notifications may comprise visual, audible, and/or vibratory alerts, and different forms of these user notifications may be generated in a sequence. The volume of audible alerts or the period between periodic user notifications may vary over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup
  • Publication number: 20110280401
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method 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 exemplary 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: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110283109
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. ADAMS, Michael S. BROWN, Herbert A. LITTLE, Anthony F. SCIAN, Michael K. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20110276800
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operation upon a data processing device for handling messages with different levels of security, are provided herein. A method for operation upon a data processing device for handling messages with different levels of security includes examining an attribute of a message received over a network in order to determine a security-related level associated with the message, generating a visual indication for display to a device user that is indicative of the determined security-related level, wherein the generated visual indication is applied to a displayed portion of text associated with the message, and changing the visual indication when the message viewed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little
  • Patent number: 8056143
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively securing data from unauthorized access on a client device storing a plurality of data types with reference to an authorization level indicated in a command. A command is received at a client device comprising an authorization level indicator. Based on at least one predefined rule, which may be implemented in an IT policy stored at the client device, each of the plurality of data types to be secured is determined, and then the data corresponding to those types is secured. The data may be secured by encrypting and/or deleting the data at the client device. The predefined rules associated with each authorization level may be configured by a user or administrator having an authorization level that exceeds the associated authorization level. The system and method thus provide a method for securing only selected data types, depending on the authorization level of the issuer of the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Scott W. Totzke
  • Publication number: 20110271322
    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: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, Herbert A. Little, David Victor MacFarlane, Ian M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8050653
    Abstract: Methods and systems for handling attachments on wireless mobile communication devices. An attachment provided with a secure message is received at a message server. The secure message itself was received by the server as an attachment. The secure message is processed in order to locate within the secure message the requested attachment. The located attachment is provided to a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110258707
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Mike Kirkup, Michael S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110258446
    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: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. BROWN, Neil ADAMS, Michael S. BROWN, Luis ESTABLE
  • Patent number: 8042189
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for implementation on a mobile device to force the mobile device into a secure state upon detection or determination of a triggering event. Once it is determined that a triggering event has occurred, each application operating on the mobile device is caused to immediately unreference sensitive objects and a secure garbage collection operation is performed upon the unreferenced sensitive objects to render data associated therewith unreadable. The mobile device is then caused to enter a secure state, in which the mobile device cannot be accessed without authorization. A microprocessor within the mobile device is configured to determine the existence of the triggering event according to a configuration data structure and to perform the secure garbage collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Herbert A. Little, Neil P. Adams, Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown
  • Patent number: 8037149
    Abstract: A system and method for processing messages being composed by a user of a computing device (e.g. a mobile device). Embodiments are described in which the performance of certain tasks is initiated before a direction is received from a user to send a message being composed by the user. This may involve, for example, “pre-fetching” security-related data that will be required in order to send a message that is in the process of being composed by the user securely. Such data may include security policy data, certificate data, and/or certificate status data, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup
  • Patent number: 8031170
    Abstract: There is disclosed a user interface for selecting a photo tag. In an embodiment, the user interface embodies a method of selecting a photo tag for a tagged photo, comprising: providing a tag entry field for entering a photo tag; in dependence upon a string entered by a user, displaying in a matching tag list any tags from one or more selected tag sources matching the entered string. The method may further comprise displaying a tag type for each tag appearing in the matching tag list. The method may further comprise allowing user selection of a tag in the matching tag list to complete the tag entry field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Gerhard D. Klassen, Terrill Dent
  • Publication number: 20110231646
    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: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Michael K. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, Herbert A. Little
  • Patent number: 8024809
    Abstract: A system includes a first wireless-enabled device that transparently stores confidential information and a second wireless-enabled device that stores the same confidential information. The confidential information is to be used to secure a wireless communication link between the first device and the second device. One or both of the first device and the second device is to delete the confidential information upon fulfillment of one or more conditions related to the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil Adams, Michael S. Brown, Michael K. Brown, Herb Little, Scott Totzke
  • Patent number: 8023656
    Abstract: A system and method for automatic key and certificate management is disclosed. In particular, a key store in a base computer contains both new and previously viewed cryptographic keys. In one embodiment, for each new key, if a corresponding certificate matches an existing certificate, the new certificate may be automatically downloaded to a mobile communications device without prompting a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little
  • Patent number: 8019081
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing encoded messages at a message receiver. A received encoded message is decoded and stored in a memory. The stored decoded message can subsequently be displayed or otherwise processed without repeating the decoding operations. Decoding operations may include signature verification, decryption, other types of decoding, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Herbert A. Little, Michael S. Brown