Patents by Inventor Deon C. Brewis

Deon C. Brewis 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: 9143510
    Abstract: A method is provided for network identification based on high entropy data on a network which are not easily guessed or obtained outside the network, which can prevent an attacker from “spoofing” the network. A component in a client computer connected to a network may obtain over the network a network data block including device identification information of a device controlling the network. Upon parsing the network data block, such high entropy data as unique device identifiers may be obtained from the device identification information. Depending on availability of the unique device identifiers and authentication history of the client computer, different combinations of the unique device identifiers and/or other identification information may be used to generate a unique network identifier such as a network signature. The component may provide the network signature to applications within the client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Bill Begorre, Deon C. Brewis
  • Patent number: 8769639
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention are directed to increasing security and lowering risk of attack in connecting automatically to networks by enabling client devices to verify the identity of the networks by, for example, confirming the identity of networks and network components such as wireless access points. In some embodiments, a client device may maintain a data store of characteristics of a network—including, for example, characteristics of a wireless access point or other portion of the network and/or characteristics of a connection previously established with the wireless access point and/or network. Stored characteristics may include characteristics other than those minimally necessary to identify a wireless access point and/or wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Begorre, Deon C. Brewis, Alok Sinha
  • Patent number: 8751612
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Patent number: 8730801
    Abstract: Methods and systems which identify and interact with network interfaces based on the network to which they provide access. A computing device operating in accordance with one or more of the principles described herein may examine available network interfaces and identify the network to which the network interfaces provide access, and perform networking tasks on interfaces based on the network identified. For example, a user may instruct a computing device to connect to a specified network, and the computing device will select a particular network interface by which to connect from the one or more available network interfaces that are able to connect to that network. Alternatively, a user may manage policies (e.g., security, connection, and application policies) based on the network to which a network interface provides access and thereby manage a network regardless of which of multiple network interfaces is used to access the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Baron, Aaron W. Cunningham, David Jones, Arun K. Buduri, Deon C. Brewis, Bill Begorre
  • Publication number: 20140096211
    Abstract: A method is provided for network identification based on high entropy data on a network which are not easily guessed or obtained outside the network, which can prevent an attacker from “spoofing” the network. A component in a client computer connected to a network may obtain over the network a network data block including device identification information of a device controlling the network. Upon parsing the network data block, such high entropy data as unique device identifiers may be obtained from the device identification information. Depending on availability of the unique device identifiers and authentication history of the client computer, different combinations of the unique device identifiers and/or other identification information may be used to generate a unique network identifier such as a network signature. The component may provide the network signature to applications within the client computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Begorre, Deon C. Brewis
  • Patent number: 8683046
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Patent number: 8676942
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Patent number: 8635680
    Abstract: A method is provided for network identification based on high entropy data on a network which are not easily guessed or obtained outside the network, which can prevent an attacker from “spoofing” the network. A component in a client computer connected to a network may obtain over the network a network data block including device identification information of a device controlling the network. Upon parsing the network data block, such high entropy data as unique device identifiers may be obtained from the device identification information. Depending on availability of the unique device identifiers and authentication history of the client computer, different combinations of the unique device identifiers and/or other identification information may be used to generate a unique network identifier such as a network signature. The component may provide the network signature to applications within the client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Begorre, Deon C. Brewis
  • Patent number: 8615570
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Patent number: 8589878
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using heuristics to determine source code ownership. A request is received to identify at least one owner of a particular source code unit. Initial ownership totals are calculated for the source code unit based upon a code contribution heuristic. The code contribution heuristic counts lines of code that were added and that were modified in the totals for contributing users. The initial ownership totals of the particular source code unit are adjusted based upon at least one other heuristic. The at least one owner of the particular source code unit is then output to an output device. The at least one owner is determined by selecting a contributing user that has a highest ranking total after adjusting the initial ownership totals. For example, there can be a primary owner and a backup owner selected based on the ranking of the ownership totals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Jean-Pierre Duplessis, Matthew S. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120284771
    Abstract: Methods and systems which identify and interact with network interfaces based on the network to which they provide access. A computing device operating in accordance with one or more of the principles described herein may examine available network interfaces and identify the network to which the network interfaces provide access, and perform networking tasks on interfaces based on the network identified. For example, a user may instruct a computing device to connect to a specified network, and the computing device will select a particular network interface by which to connect from the one or more available network interfaces that are able to connect to that network. Alternatively, a user may manage policies (e.g., security, connection, and application policies) based on the network to which a network interface provides access and thereby manage a network regardless of which of multiple network interfaces is used to access the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Baron, Aaron W. Cunningham, David Jones, Arun K. Buduri, Deon C. Brewis, Bill Begorre
  • Patent number: 8285855
    Abstract: A method and user interface for informing a user of the status of a network connection are provided. Conventionally, the “connected” icon in the system tray only informs the user that the computer is linked to a network medium, such as an Ethernet or wireless access point. This icon does not indicate whether a routable IP address has been obtained. In this invention, an icon is used to inform the user that the network connection is disabled, connecting, connected (routable IP address obtained), or in a warning state. The warning state indicates that a non-routable IP address (e.g. autonet address) has been obtained, which will likely be unsatisfactory to the user. However, when connected to an 802.11 ad-hoc network, or when IP status checking is disabled, a non-routable IP address is deemed acceptable, and thus the “connected” icon is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sean O. Lyndersay, Deon C. Brewis, Jean-Pierre Duplessis
  • Patent number: 8238238
    Abstract: Methods and systems which identify and interact with network interfaces based on the network to which they provide access. A computing device operating in accordance with one or more of the principles described herein may examine available network interfaces and identify the network to which the network interfaces provide access, and perform networking tasks on interfaces based on the network identified. For example, a user may instruct a computing device to connect to a specified network, and the computing device will select a particular network interface by which to connect from the one or more available network interfaces that are able to connect to that network. Alternatively, a user may manage policies (e.g., security, connection, and application policies) based on the network to which a network interface provides access and thereby manage a network regardless of which of multiple network interfaces is used to access the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Baron, Aaron W. Cunningham, David Jones, Arun K. Buduri, Deon C. Brewis, Bill Begorre
  • Patent number: 8051191
    Abstract: A networked computer with a networking framework that can operate in accordance with a standard protocol or may be configured to perform one or more functions that alter or extend processing according to the standard. The framework includes extensibility points and a mechanism to receive plug-ins that may perform extensibility functions. Network profile information indicates configuration of the extensibility points, including specific extensibility functions to be executed at the extensibility points. This information may be used to configure the extensibility points so that, as the computer operates, the extensibility functions are selectively executed instead of or in addition to standard functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alok Manchanda, Taroon Mandhana, Noel W. Anderson, Sharad Mittal, Deon C. Brewis, Olivier Contant, Bernard Aboba, Jerry E. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20100131618
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Tech
  • Publication number: 20100131652
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Madhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Publication number: 20100131622
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Publication number: 20100131619
    Abstract: A network and connection provisioning framework for configuring and provisioning multiple aspects of network connectivity (e.g., multiple networks, media types, and/or connections). The framework may comprise a unified configuration interface that enables an administrator to configure multiple different types of network connectivity. A single configuration file comprising settings for multiple aspects of network connectivity may be generated based on preferences entered by a system administrator, or by exporting current settings from a particular computing device. Global configuration policies or other configuration settings that span multiple types of network connectivity may be also created and stored in one or more configuration files. Stand-alone media managers and/or plug-in modules may implement one or more standardized application programming interface functions so that they may interoperate with the network and connection provisioning framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Deon C. Brewis, Taroon Mandhana, PehKeong Teh
  • Publication number: 20100107240
    Abstract: A client computer that supports different behaviors when connected to a private network behind a network firewall than when outside the network firewall and connected indirectly through an access device. The client computer is configured to attempt communication with a device on the network. Based on the response, the client computer can determine that it is behind the network firewall, and therefore can operate with less restrictive security or settings for other parameters appropriate for when the client is directly connected to the network. Alternatively, the client computer may determine that it is indirectly connected to the network through the Internet or other outside network, and therefore, because it is outside the private network firewall, should operate with more restrictive security or settings of other parameters more appropriate for use in that network location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Thaler, Rob M. Trace, Deon C. Brewis, Arun K. Buduri, Bill Begorre, Scott Roberts, Srinivas Raghu Gatta, Gerardo Diaz Cuellar
  • Publication number: 20090285190
    Abstract: Methods and systems which identify and interact with network interfaces based on the network to which they provide access. A computing device operating in accordance with one or more of the principles described herein may examine available network interfaces and identify the network to which the network interfaces provide access, and perform networking tasks on interfaces based on the network identified. For example, a user may instruct a computing device to connect to a specified network, and the computing device will select a particular network interface by which to connect from the one or more available network interfaces that are able to connect to that network. Alternatively, a user may manage policies (e.g., security, connection, and application policies) based on the network to which a network interface provides access and thereby manage a network regardless of which of multiple network interfaces is used to access the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Baron, Aaron W. Cunningham, David Jones, Arun K. Buduri, Deon C. Brewis, Bill Begorre