Patents by Inventor Brian S. Aust

Brian S. Aust 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: 9275146
    Abstract: Semantic queries are expressed and executed within a relational database. This can be done by defining semantic rules applied to execute the semantic queries using table valued functions and common table expressions, and then simply calling the defined table valued functions to execute the queries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, David G. Campbell, Brian S. Aust
  • Patent number: 8751433
    Abstract: A semantic reasoning engine is described for performing probabilistic reasoning over a semantic graph in a time-efficient and viable manner. The semantic reasoning engine includes a data store that provides the semantic graph, where the semantic graph is formed by a plurality of concepts connected together via probabilistic assertions. The semantic reasoning engine operates by providing an answer to a query by recursively collapsing the semantic graph based on at least one collapsing rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Silvia C. Vega, Chris D. Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, Jr., David G. Campbell, Brian S. Aust
  • Patent number: 8695005
    Abstract: The described method/system/apparatus uses intelligence to better allocate tasks/work items among the processors and computers in the cloud. A priority score may be calculated for each task/work unit for each specific processor. The priority score may indicate how well suited a task/work item is for a processor. The result is that tasks/work items may be more efficiently executed by being assigned to processors in the cloud that are better prepared to execute the tasks/work items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Brandon T. Hunt, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Brian S. Aust
  • Patent number: 8484233
    Abstract: Described is a technology for composing queries by user interaction with objects and facets. A facet-based user interface allows users to select facets for use as filtering criteria, and a logic-based user interface allows users to logically combine object data. Query logic that processes the filtering criteria and/or logically combines the object data into a query. The facet-based user interface and logic-based user interface may be accessed via a unified user interface. The unified user interface may also provide a text editor for composing a text-based query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yin Xie, Sonia Patricia Carlson, Brian S. Aust, Oscar G. Naim, Chris D. Karkanias, George G. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8335836
    Abstract: Implementing a consistent user name-space on networked computing devices includes various components and methods. When a network connection between a local or host computing device and one or more remote computing devices is present, remote items are represented using the same methodology as items located on the host computing device. To the user, remote and local items are indistinguishable. When the network connection is lost or items located on a remote computer are otherwise unavailable, the unavailable items remain represented on the host computing device. Unavailable items are represented in a way that informs the user that the items may not be fully accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S Aust, David G. De Vorchik, Yun Lin, Timothy P McKee, Jason F. Moore, Shishir Pardikar, Mohammed Samji, David C Steere, Navjot Virk
  • Publication number: 20120226710
    Abstract: Semantic queries are expressed and executed within a relational database. This can be done by defining semantic rules applied to execute the semantic queries using table valued functions and common table expressions, and then simply calling the defined table valued functions to execute the queries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, David G. Campbell, Brian S. Aust
  • Publication number: 20120167108
    Abstract: The described method/system/apparatus uses intelligence to better allocate tasks/work items among the processors and computers in the cloud. A priority score may be calculated for each task/work unit for each specific processor. The priority score may indicate how well suited a task/work item is for a processor. The result is that tasks/work items may be more efficiently executed by being assigned to processors in the cloud that are better prepared to execute the tasks/work items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Brandon T. Hunt, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Brian S. Aust
  • Publication number: 20120166378
    Abstract: A method and system of using a forward chaining application on a computing device to monitor a semantic storage system and invoke computations on scientific data according to declarative rules, while capturing operational provenance data stored alongside the scientific data where all data is stored in a semantic graph is disclosed and described. As the provenance data is stored with the data as nodes in the semantic graph, it will stay with the data and may be searched and queried using the same methods as searching the underlying data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew David Valerio, Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, JR., Brian S. Aust
  • Publication number: 20120158636
    Abstract: A semantic reasoning engine is described for performing probabilistic reasoning over a semantic graph in a time-efficient and viable manner. The semantic reasoning engine includes a data store that provides the semantic graph, where the semantic graph is formed by a plurality of concepts connected together via probabilistic assertions. The semantic reasoning engine operates by providing an answer to a query by recursively collapsing the semantic graph based on at least one collapsing rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Silvia C. Vega, Chris D. Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, JR., David G. Campbell, Brian S. Aust
  • Patent number: 8204903
    Abstract: Semantic queries are expressed and executed within a relational database. This can be done by defining semantic rules applied to execute the semantic queries using table valued functions and common table expressions, and then simply calling the defined table valued functions to execute the queries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, David G. Campbell, Brian S. Aust
  • Publication number: 20120131128
    Abstract: Implementing a consistent user name-space on networked computing devices includes various components and methods. When a network connection between a local or host computing device and one or more remote computing devices is present, remote items are represented using the same methodology as items located on the host computing device. To the user, remote and local items are indistinguishable. When the network connection is lost or items located on a remote computer are otherwise unavailable, the unavailable items remain represented on the host computing device. Unavailable items are represented in a way that informs the user that the items may not be fully accessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN S. AUST, DAVID G. DE VORCHIK, YUN LIN, TIMOTHY P. MCKEE, JASON F. MOORE, SHISHIR PARDIKAR, MOHAMMED SAMJI, DAVID C. STEERE, NAVJOT VIRK
  • Patent number: 8108483
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a consistent user name-space on networked computing devices is provided. When a network connection between a local or host computing device and one or more remote computing devices is present, remote items are represented using the same methodology as items located on the host computing device. To the user, remote and local items are indistinguishable. When the network connection is lost or items located on a remote computer are otherwise unavailable, the unavailable items remain represented on the host computing device. Unavailable items are represented in a way that informs the user that the items may not be fully accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Aust, David G. De Vorchik, Yun Lin, Timothy P. McKee, Jason F. Moore, Shishir Pardikar, Mohammed Samji, David C. Steere, Navjot Virk
  • Publication number: 20110320431
    Abstract: Described herein is using type information with a graph of nodes and predicates, in which the type information may be used to determine validity of (type check) a query to be executed against the graph. In one aspect, each node has a type, and each predicate indicates a valid relationship between two types of nodes. A type checking mechanism uses the type information to determine whether a query is valid, which may be the entire query prior to query processing/compilation time, or as the query is being composed by a user. One or more valid predicates for a given node may be discovered based upon the node type, such as discovered to assist the user during query composition. Also described is using the type information to optimize the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas E. Jackson, Stuart M. Bowers, Brian S. Aust, Chris D. Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, JR., David G. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20110202560
    Abstract: Semantic queries are expressed and executed within a relational database. This can be done by defining semantic rules applied to execute the semantic queries using table valued functions and common table expressions, and then simply calling the defined table valued functions to execute the queries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart M. Bowers, Thomas E. Jackson, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Allen L. Brown, David G. Campbell, Brian S. Aust
  • Publication number: 20100287220
    Abstract: Described is a technology, such as for representing scientific data and information, in which a database table contains rows of type data representing types, and term data representing terms that inhabit the types. Types include composite types (e.g., that represent entities), and instances of relation types that express relationships between types, between a type and a term, or between terms. Types and/or terms may have multiple relationships with one another, and a relationship may span database tables. A new relationship may be established by adding a new row to the database table to represent a new relation term, along with one or more similar rows to represent the relation role terms associated with that relation term; relationships may be removed by removing rows. As a result, the database table may change its state rapidly, without needing to change the database schema.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Aust, Allen L. Brown, JR., Chris D. Karkanias, David G. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20100114931
    Abstract: Described is a technology for composing queries by user interaction with objects and facets. A facet-based user interface allows users to select facets for use as filtering criteria, and a logic-based user interface allows users to logically combine object data. Query logic that processes the filtering criteria and/or logically combines the object data into a query. The facet-based user interface and logic-based user interface may be accessed via a unified user interface. The unified user interface may also provide a text editor for composing a text-based query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yin Xie, Sonia Patricia Carlson, Brian S. Aust, Oscar G. Naim, Chris D. Karkanias, George G. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7702745
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure that supports transition states at the directory level to facilitate a seamless operation across connectivity states between client and remote server. More specifically, persistent caching is performed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and/or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and/or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching to a client data store the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate file access parameters. Moreover, the client maintains access to cached files during periods of disconnect. Furthermore, portions of a path can be offline while other portions upstream can remain online. CSC operates on the logical path which cooperates with DFS which operates on the physical path to keep track of files cached, accessed and changes in the directories. In addition, truth on the client is facilitated whether or not a conflict of file copies exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Yun Lin, Navjot Virk, Brian S. Aust, Shishir P. Pardikar, David C. Steere, Mohammed A. Samji
  • Patent number: 7698376
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure that supports transition states at the directory level to facilitate a seamless operation across connectivity states between client and remote server. More specifically, persistent caching is performed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and/or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and/or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching to a client data store the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate file access parameters. Moreover, the client maintains access to cached files during periods of disconnect. Furthermore, portions of a path can be offline while other portions upstream can remain online. CSC operates on the logical path which cooperates with DFS which operates on the physical path to keep track of files cached, accessed and changes in the directories. In addition, truth on the client is facilitated whether or not a conflict of file copies exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Lin, Navjot Virk, Brian S. Aust, Shishir P. Pardikar, David C. Steere, Mohammed A. Samji
  • Patent number: 7664788
    Abstract: Described is a system and method that synchronizes cached files and directories with a server's files and directories via a layered architecture, by collapsing state information into an index into a fixed set of known states, and looking up the action that synchronizes that state. The actions are then taken to synchronize the content. Any of fifty possible synchronization states are thus handled. A synchronization controller requests a subsystem to evaluate a local cache and remote file system to generate state flags for each item considered for synchronization. The synchronization controller processes the state information to identify a selected table from among a plurality of tables that contain the fifty values, and uses other flags to compute an index into the table. The selected table contains values that index into an action table containing actions that specify an operation set that is requested to synchronize the particular state scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Aust
  • Patent number: 7634514
    Abstract: Described is a system and method that facilitates fast and reliable synchronization of computer/file system directories. A synchronization (FastSync) subsystem operates in a discovery/enumeration phase to provide a calling client with a set of the differences between directories, and then operates in an action phase to perform operations as directed by the client to synchronize the different directories. The discovery/enumeration and action phases use parallel operation and I/O (input/output) pipelining. Multiple threads are used during enumeration to enumerate each directory's children, and enqueues each sub-directory to be handled by a new thread. During the action phase, when an operation is requested, the FastSync subsystem packages up the operation, item pointer, and context information into an internal context block and queues that packet as a work item for a process thread pool to handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Langan, Brian S. Aust, Navjot Virk