Patents by Inventor Thomas McComb

Thomas McComb 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: 20230275901
    Abstract: A payload assurance system and method for a payload having a header which is to be transferred across a network boundary via at least one predetermined boundary control device. The system comprises at least one computer processor and at least one data storage device, arranged to provide an electronic authorisation token for authorising properties of the payload to be transferred, which electronic authorisation token comprsises at least one entropy element for ensuring that multiple electronic authorisation tokens authorising the same payload properties are unique. A boundary transfer assessment step may be provided at the network boundary, for indirectly determining whether the payload possesses the Authorisation token, using the payload header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Paul Thomas McCombes, John Alan Thorp
  • Publication number: 20230261871
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of payload assurance for a payload which is to be transferred across a network boundary via any of multiple predetermined boundary control devices, which may be grouped together, each having dedi¬cated permanent identity information. A first electronic entity provides an elec¬tronic authorisation token for defining properties of the payload, and an ephemeral ID array is determined in dependence upon the permanent identity information of each of the boundary control devices in the boundary control group and the authorisation token. An electronic release token is generated in dependence upon the ephemeral ID array and the authorisation token, to be forwarded to a second electronic entity, the release token being valid for use with the boundary control devices provided in the defined boundary control group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Paul Thomas McCombes, John Alan Thorp
  • Publication number: 20220166754
    Abstract: A data filter and a method of creating a network data pathway via a network filter is disclosed the method comprising a i. selection phase and ii. operation phase. The selection phase comprises transferring over a network at least one enquiry data packet between a first network user and at least one other network participant via the filter and receiving at least one enquiry data packet response from the at least one network participant via the filter. A network participant is selected so as to switch from the selection phase to the operation phase. The operation phase comprises creating a network data pathway between the first network user and the selected network participant and prohibiting further creation of a further network data pathway between the network user and any unselected network participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Robert John Dale, Paul Thomas McCombes
  • Publication number: 20050037224
    Abstract: Curved surfaces particularly reflectors such as concave mirror elements for use in astronomical telescopes, solar energy concentrators etc., and methods of forming such surfaces. A rigid body with a curved surface is formed by providing a mould (20) having a curved surface with a curvature opposite to that of the required curved surface, applying a vacuum to the curved surface of the mould to deform a flexible, generally planar member (14) to match the curved surface of the mould and bonding a front surface of a structurally rigid base member (12) to the opposite surface of the planar flexible member while the vacuum is applied. Peripheral casing members (16, 18) may he bonded to the base member. The base member is formed from a rigid, low-density material such as an aluminium or aluminium alloy honeycomb material. The flexible (reflective) member may comprise a thin metallic sheet such as an anodised aluminium alloy sheet, and any casing members may also be of aluminium or aluminium alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Keith Orford, Thomas McComb, Paula Chadwick, John Osborne, Stephen Rayner
  • Patent number: 5906662
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid hydrocarbon fuel composition comprising a major amount of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel and, as identifiable marker, a detectable amount of at least one C.sub.7-20 hydrocarbon containing at least one non-aromatic carbocyclic ring of at least 7 ring carbon atoms; and a method of modifying a liquid hydrocarbon fuel which comprises adding to the fuel, as identifiable marker, a detectable amount of at least one C.sub.7-20 hydrocarbon containing at least one non-aromatic carbocyclic ring of at least 7 ring carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Paul Thomas McCombes