Patents by Inventor Neil P. Adams

Neil P. Adams 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).

  • System and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list
    Patent number: 8019085
    Abstract: A system and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list that facilitates the sending of such messages only to individuals or other entities associated with the distribution list that will be able to read the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Michael K. Brown
  • Communication device with capability for handling conditional acceptance of meeting requests
    Patent number: 8019065
    Abstract: Interacting digitally communicating devices cooperate to schedule future meetings include a capability to handle conditional acceptance of meeting requests. For example, a conditional acceptance may be subject to Boolean logic functions of the acceptance status(es) of other meeting invitees (e.g., the condition that another specific one or more invitees also accept the meeting request).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: David V. MacFarlane, Neil P. Adams, Christopher R. Wormald
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MESSAGE THREAD COMPRESSION
    Publication number: 20110219085
    Abstract: A method for compressing electronic mail messages each having a message thread for storage in a storage device, comprising: identifying one or more sections of each message thread; assigning a respective identifier to each section; storing one occurrence of each section in the storage device for retrieval using its identifier; replacing each section in each thread by its identifier to thereby compress the messages; and, storing the messages in the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil P. ADAMS, Harry R. MAJOR
  • Certificate management and transfer system and method
    Patent number: 8015400
    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: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Herbert A. Little, Neil P. Adams, David F. Tapuska, Michael S. Brown, Michael G. Kirkup, James A. Godfrey
  • System and method for selecting messaging settings on a messaging client
    Patent number: 8015254
    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: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Anthony F. Scian, Michael K. Brown
  • System and method for configuring devices for secure operations
    Patent number: 8010989
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a security-related mode of operation for computing devices. A security-related mode of operation is established through security mode configuration data. The security mode configuration data specifies the proper security mode or modes for operation of the computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: 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
  • System and method for handling data transfers
    Patent number: 8005469
    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, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Herbert A. Little, Michael G. Kirkup
  • SYNCHRONIZING CERTIFICATES BETWEEN A DEVICE AND SERVER
    Publication number: 20110196989
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing messages within a wireless communications system are disclosed. A server within the wireless communications system maintains a list of certificates contained in devices that use the server. The server synchronizes or updates the list of certificates based on information contained in message to and from the device. By providing a server with certificates associated with devices that use the server, and providing a system and method for synchronizing the certificates between the device and server, the server can implement powerful features that will improve the efficiency, speed and user satisfaction of the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael K. BROWN, Michael S. BROWN, Herbert A. LITTLE, Neil P. ADAMS
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INTELLIGENT ERROR MESSAGING
    Publication number: 20110191642
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown
  • WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH DURESS PASSWORD PROTECTION AND RELATED METHOD
    Publication number: 20110191845
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (and its related method of operation) includes, if invoked, password protected access to data stored therewithin and/or to normal device operations and further includes duress password checking logic that automatically causes a duress message to be sent if a duress password has been entered. The duress message is preferably sent without maintaining any user accessible indication of such sending. It is also preferred that the password checking logic automatically cause an end-of-duress message to be sent if a normal password is entered after a duress password has been entered. A plurality of different duress passwords may be entered into a duress password portion of data memory in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Hebert A. Little, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Ian M. Robertson, Jonathan F. Hammell
  • Message service indication system and method
    Patent number: 7992216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying messages to a user, the messages having different levels of security, are provided herein. One method of displaying to a user messages having different levels of security includes receiving a message over a network includes examining an attribute of the message to determine a security-related level associated with the message. A visual indication for display to a device user is generated by the device. Such visual indication is indicative of the determined security-related level, and is configured to be visible during scrolling through a majority of the message text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little
  • System and method for handling restoration operations on mobile devices
    Patent number: 7986939
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling restoration operations for a mobile device. A mobile device receives a kill pill command, wherein the command causes some or all data on the mobile device to be wiped. An indicator is stored to indicate that the kill pill command was sent to the mobile device. The indicator is used to determine whether a program should be wiped from the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Michael S. Brown, Jonathan F. Hammell, Michael G. Kirkup, Herbert A. Little
  • Method and system for message thread compression
    Patent number: 7975014
    Abstract: A method for compressing electronic mail messages each having a message thread for storage in a storage device, comprising: identifying one or more sections of each message thread; assigning a respective identifier to each section; storing one occurrence of each section in the storage device for retrieval using its identifier; replacing each section in each thread by its identifier to thereby compress the messages; and, storing the messages in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Harry R. Major
  • Synchronizing certificates between a device and server
    Patent number: 7953971
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing messages within a wireless communications system are disclosed. A server within the wireless communications system maintains a list of certificates contained in devices that use the server. The server synchronizes or updates the list of certificates based on information contained in message to and from the device. By providing a server with certificates associated with devices that use the server, and providing a system and method for synchronizing the certificates between the device and server, the server can implement powerful features that will improve the efficiency, speed and user satisfaction of the devices. The exemplary embodiments also enable advantageous bandwidth savings by preventing transmission of certificates unnecessarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown, Herbert A. Little, Neil P. Adams
  • Wireless communication device with duress password protection and related method
    Patent number: 7948938
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (and its related method of operation) includes, if invoked, password protected access to data stored therewithin and/or to normal device operations and further includes duress password checking logic that automatically causes a duress message to be sent if a duress password has been entered. The duress message is preferably sent without maintaining any user accessible indication of such sending. It is also preferred that the password checking logic automatically cause an end-of-duress message to be sent if a normal password is entered after a duress password has been entered. A plurality of different duress passwords may be entered into a duress password portion of data memory in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Herbert A. Little, Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Ian M. Robertson, Jonathan F. Hammell
  • METHOD, SYSTEM AND SMART CARD READER FOR MANAGEMENT OF ACCESS TO A SMART CARD
    Publication number: 20110108624
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing concurrent access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices, the SCR comprising: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices; and wherein, when a session is open on a first channel between a first accessing device and the smart card and the channel manager is configured to issue an open channel command to the smart card to cause the smart card to open a second channel between the smart card and the second accessing device in response to the session request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael E. McCallum
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETRIEVING CERTIFICATES ASSOCIATED WITH SENDERS OF DIGITALLY SIGNED MESSAGES
    Publication number: 20110099381
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Michael K. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Michael G. Kirkup, Herbert A. Little
  • System and method for managing multiple smart card sessions
    Patent number: 7891557
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for managing multiple smart card sessions with multiple communications or computing devices in association with a single smart card reader. A wireless smart card reader is provided for communicating with a plurality of devices requiring smart card functionality in a number of smart card sessions, in which each smart card session is addressed with an identifier identifying a single device. The smart card session is secured by a wireless connection pairing and by a secure pairing, such that each connection between the smart card reader and a device is secured against all other devices in communication with the smart card reader using a master connection key, which is unique for each device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Herbert A. Little
  • System and method for retrieving certificates associated with senders of digitally signed messages
    Patent number: 7886144
    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: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael S. Brown, Michael K. Brown, Neil P. Adams, Michael G. Kirkup, Herbert A. Little
  • Method, system and smart card reader for management of access to a smart card
    Patent number: 7871010
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing concurrent access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices, the SCR comprising: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices; and wherein, when a session is open on a first channel between a first accessing device and the smart card and the channel manager is configured to issue an open channel command to the smart card to cause the smart card to open a second channel between the smart card and the second accessing device in response to the session request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Neil P. Adams, Michael E. McCallum