Patents by Inventor Richard C. Madter
Richard C. Madter 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).
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Patent number: 9552498Abstract: A system and method for encrypting data provides for retrievial of an encryption key; identification of the address in memory of a first portion of the data to be encrypted; derivation of a first unique key from the encryption key and the address of the first portion of data; encryption of the first portion of data using the first unique key; identification of the address in memory of a second portion of data to be encrypted; derivation of a second unique key from the encryption key and the address of the second portion of data; and encryption of the second portion of data using the second unique key.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Herbert A. Little, Jerrold R. Randell, Richard C. Madter, Ryan J. Hickey, Andrew A. Fergusson
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Patent number: 8718719Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Martin George Albert Guthrie, Richard C. Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Simon Book, Kent Arnold Nickerson
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Patent number: 8683189Abstract: A boot method an apparatus are described which reduce the likelihood of a security breach in a mobile device, preferably in a situation where a reset has been initiated. A predetermined security value, or password, is stored, for example in BootROM. A value of a security location within FLASH memory is read and the two values are compared. Polling of the serial port is selectively performed, depending on the result of such comparison. In a presently preferred embodiment, if the value in the security location matches the predetermined security value, then polling of the serial port is not performed. This reduces potential security breaches caused in conventional arrangements where code may be downloaded from the serial port and executed, which allows anyone to access and upload programs and data in the FLASH memory, including confidential and proprietary information.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Richard C Madter, Ryan J. Hickey, Christopher Pattenden
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Publication number: 20140013124Abstract: A system and method for encrypting data provides for retrievial of an encryption key; identification of the address in memory of a first portion of the data to be encrypted; derivation of a first unique key from the encryption key and the address of the first portion of data; encryption of the first portion of data using the first unique key; identification of the address in memory of a second portion of data to be encrypted; derivation of a second unique key from the encryption key and the address of the second portion of data; and encryption of the second portion of data using the second unique key.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Herbert A. LITTLE, Jerrold R. RANDELL, Richard C. MADTER, Ryan J. HICKEY, Andrew A. FERGUSON
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Patent number: 8601279Abstract: The present invention provides a secure JTAG interface to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the preferred embodiment the invention operates through the combined efforts of a Security Module (SM) comprising a state machine that controls the security modes for the ASIC, and a Test Control Module (TCM) which contains the JTAG interface. The TCM operates in either a restricted mode or an unrestricted mode, depending on the state of the SM state machine. In a restricted mode, only limited access to memory content is permitted. In an unrestricted mode, full access to memory content is permitted.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Herbert A. Little, Jerrold R. Randell, Richard C. Madter, Ryan J. Hickey
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Patent number: 8571221Abstract: A system and method of creating and managing encryption keys in a data processing device generates subsequent encryption keys by combining the existing encryption key with an existing password and seed value. In the preferred embodiment, the initial encryption key is embedded during manufacture and is unknown to the user and manufacturer, thus ensuring that all subsequent encryption keys are derived from an unknown value. When a subsequent encryption key is generated, all data encrypted using the existing encryption key is decrypted using the existing encryption key and re-encrypted using the subsequent encryption key before the existing encryption key is overwritten. In a further aspect, during encryption/decryption the encryption key is combined with the sector address of the data to be encrypted/decrypted in order to generate a unique key for each sector of data to be encrypted/decrypted.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Herbert A. Little, Jerrold R. Randell, Richard C. Madter, Ryan J. Hickey, Andrew A. Fergusson
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Patent number: 8363370Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
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Patent number: 8347025Abstract: A memory controller interface, mobile device and method are provided. The memory controller interface can allow a processor designed and configured to operate with NOR flash and static random access memory SRAM devices to instead operate using NAND flash and synchronous dynamic random access memory SDRAM. The system accomplishes this by caching sectors out of NAND flash into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor as though it were accessing data from NOR flash/SRAM. Sectors containing data required by the processor are read out of NAND flash and written into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor. Boot code is stored in memory accessible to the processor and is read out of the memory for execution. The boot code is scanned for a predetermined signature, and if the predetermined signature is found, a portion of the memory is write-protected.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Jerrold Richard Randell, Richard C. Madter, Karin Werder
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Publication number: 20120278630Abstract: The present invention provides a secure JTAG interface to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the preferred embodiment the invention operates through the combined efforts of a Security Module (SM) comprising a state machine that controls the security modes for the ASIC, and a Test Control Module (TCM) which contains the JTAG interface. The TCM operates in either a restricted mode or an unrestricted mode, depending on the state of the SM state machine. In a restricted mode, only limited access to memory content is permitted. In an unrestricted mode, full access to memory content is permitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Herbert A. LITTLE, Jerrold R. RANDELL, Richard C. MADTER, Ryan J. HICKEY
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Patent number: 8219825Abstract: The present invention provides a secure JTAG interface to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the preferred embodiment the invention operates through the combined efforts of a Security Module (SM) comprising a state machine that controls the security modes for the ASIC, and a Test Control Module (TCM) which contains the JTAG interface. The TCM operates in either a restricted mode or an unrestricted mode, depending on the state of the SM state machine. In a restricted mode, only limited access to memory content is permitted. In an unrestricted mode, full access to memory content is permitted.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Herbert A. Little, Jerrold R. Randell, Richard C. Madter, Ryan J. Hickey
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Publication number: 20120072651Abstract: A memory controller interface, mobile device and method are provided. The memory controller interface can allow a processor designed and configured to operate with NOR flash and static random access memory SRAM devices to instead operate using NAND flash and synchronous dynamic random access memory SDRAM. The system accomplishes this by caching sectors out of NAND flash into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor as though it were accessing data from NOR flash/SRAM. Sectors containing data required by the processor are read out of NAND flash and written into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor. Boot code is stored in memory accessible to the processor and is read out of the memory for execution. The boot code is scanned for a predetermined signature, and if the predetermined signature is found, a portion of the memory is write-protected.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Jerrold R. Randell, Richard C. Madter, Karin Alicia Werder
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Publication number: 20120039008Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
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Patent number: 8086788Abstract: A memory interface controller and method to allow a processor designed and configured to operate with NOR flash and static random access memory SRAM devices to instead operate using NAND flash and synchronous dynamic random access memory SDRAM. The system accomplishes this by caching sectors out of NAND flash into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor as though it were accessing data from NOR flash/SRAM. Sectors containing data required by the processor are read out of NAND flash and written into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Jerrold R. Randell, Richard C. Madter, Karen Alicia Werder
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Publication number: 20110302402Abstract: A boot method an apparatus are described which reduce the likelihood of a security breach in a mobile device, preferably in a situation where a reset has been initiated. A predetermined security value, or password, is stored, for example in BootROM. A value of a security location within FLASH memory is read and the two values are compared. Polling of the serial port is selectively performed, depending on the result of such comparison. In a presently preferred embodiment, if the value in the security location matches the predetermined security value, then polling of the serial port is not performed. This reduces potential security breaches caused in conventional arrangements where code may be downloaded from the serial port and executed, which allows anyone to access and upload programs and data in the FLASH memory, including confidential and proprietary information.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Richard C MADTER, Ryan J. HICKEY, Christopher PATTENDEN
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Patent number: 8072724Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
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Patent number: 8028157Abstract: A boot method an apparatus are described which reduce the likelihood of a security breach in a mobile device, preferably in a situation where a reset has been initiated. A predetermined security value, or password, is stored, for example in BootROM. A value of a security location within FLASH memory is read and the two values are compared. Polling of the serial port is selectively performed, depending on the result of such comparison. In a presently preferred embodiment, if the value in the security location matches the predetermined security value, then polling of the serial port is not performed. This reduces potential security breaches caused in conventional arrangements where code may be downloaded from the serial port and executed, which allows anyone to access and upload programs and data in the FLASH memory, including confidential and proprietary information.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Richard C. Madter, Ryan J. Hickey, Christopher Pattenden
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Publication number: 20110148362Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
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Patent number: 7948727Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Andrew D. Shiner, Carl D. Schaaff, Richard C. Madter, Roshy Stan Mathew, Michael F. Habicher, Quang A. Luong
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Publication number: 20100005232Abstract: A memory interface controller and method to allow a processor designed and configured to operate with NOR flash and SRAM memory devices to instead operate using NAND flash and SDRAM. The system accomplishes this by caching sectors out of NAND flash into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor as though it were accessing data from NOR flash/SRAM. Sectors containing data required by the processor are read out of NAND flash and written into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Jerrold R. RANDELL, Richard C. MADTER, Karin Alicia WERDER
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Patent number: 7634688Abstract: A system and method for automatically saving the contents of volatile memory in a data processing device on power failure. A secondary power supply is provided, which upon failure of the primary power supply supplies power long enough for all modified information stored in volatile memory to be written to a non-volatile memory device such as NAND flash in an AutoSave procedure. In the preferred embodiment modified sectors in volatile memory are flagged, and only modified sectors with a directory list are written to non-volatile memory during the AutoSave procedure.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Richard C. Madter, Karin Alicia Werder, Wei Yao Huang