Patents by Inventor Sharon Drasnin

Sharon Drasnin 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: 20130304944
    Abstract: Device enumeration support techniques are described for busses that do not natively support enumeration. In one or more embodiments, an intermediate controller of a computing device is configured to interconnect and manage various hardware devices associated with the computing device. The intermediate controller may detect connection and disconnection of hardware devices in association with one or more communication busses employed by the computing device. In response to such detection, the intermediate controller may send appropriate notifications to an operating system to alert the operating system when hardware devices come and go. This enables the operating system to enumerate and denumerate hardware devices within a device configuration and power management system implemented by the operating system that facilitates interaction with the hardware devices through corresponding representations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert D. Young, Sharon Drasnin, Scott A. Fudally, Tejas Jitendra Mistry, Vassili I. Nikolaev, Murali Rangayya Ravirala
  • Patent number: 8548608
    Abstract: Sensor fusion algorithm techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, behaviors of a host device and accessory devices are controlled based upon an orientation of the host device and accessory devices, relative to one another. A combined spatial position and/or orientation for the host device may be obtained based on raw measurements that are obtained from at least two different types of sensors. In addition, a spatial position and/or orientation for an accessory device is ascertained using one or more sensors of the accessory device. An orientation (or position) of the accessory device relative to the host computing device may then be computed based on the combined spatial position/orientation for the host computing device and the ascertained spatial position/orientation for the accessory device. The relative orientation that is computed may then be used in various ways to control behaviors of the host computing device and/or accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Perek, Michael A. Schwager, Sharon Drasnin, Mark J. Seilstad
  • Patent number: 8543227
    Abstract: Sensor fusion algorithm techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, behaviors of a host device and accessory devices are controlled based upon an orientation of the host device and accessory devices, relative to one another. A combined spatial position and/or orientation for the host device may be obtained based on raw measurements that are obtained from at least two different types of sensors. In addition, a spatial position and/or orientation for an accessory device is ascertained using one or more sensors of the accessory device. An orientation (or position) of the accessory device relative to the host computing device may then be computed based on the combined spatial position/orientation for the host computing device and the ascertained spatial position/orientation for the accessory device. The relative orientation that is computed may then be used in various ways to control behaviors of the host computing device and/or accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Perek, Michael A. Schwager, Sharon Drasnin, Mark J. Seilstad
  • Publication number: 20130232353
    Abstract: Techniques for mobile device power state are described. In one or more implementations, a mobile device includes a computing device that is flexibly coupled to an input device via a flexible hinge. Accordingly, the mobile device can operate in a variety of different power states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, an application that resides on a computing device can operate in different application states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, techniques discussed herein can differentiate between vibrations caused by touch input to a touch functionality, and other types of vibrations. Based on this differentiation, techniques can determine whether to transition between device power states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jim Tom Belesiu, Sharon Drasnin, Michael A. Schwager, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Mark J. Seilstad
  • Publication number: 20130228433
    Abstract: Force concentrator techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of conductors, a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input; and a force concentrator layer disposed proximal to the flexible contact layer on a side opposite the sensor substrate. The force concentrator layer has a pad disposed thereon that is configured to cause pressure applied to the force concentrator layer to be channeled through the pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Jim Tom Belesiu, Sharon Drasnin, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Paul Henry Dietz, Dennis J. Mathias, Rob Huala
  • Publication number: 20130232280
    Abstract: Sensor fusion algorithm techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, behaviors of a host device and accessory devices are controlled based upon an orientation of the host device and accessory devices, relative to one another. A combined spatial position and/or orientation for the host device may be obtained based on raw measurements that are obtained from at least two different types of sensors. In addition, a spatial position and/or orientation for an accessory device is ascertained using one or more sensors of the accessory device. An orientation (or position) of the accessory device relative to the host computing device may then be computed based on the combined spatial position/orientation for the host computing device and the ascertained spatial position/orientation for the accessory device. The relative orientation that is computed may then be used in various ways to control behaviors of the host computing device and/or accessory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: David R. Perek, Michael A. Schwager, Sharon Drasnin, Mark J. Seilstad
  • Publication number: 20130228023
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive keyboard includes multiple pressure sensors associated with the keys of the keyboard. In response to pressure applied to one or more keys of the keyboard, a determination is made as to whether the pressure applied is a key strike (a user selection of a key). Various different factors can be used in determining whether the pressure applied is a key strike, such as the amount of the pressure applied, a rate at which the pressure is applied, a number of keys to which pressure is applied, when the pressure is applied relative to previous key strikes, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Sharon Drasnin, Scott Mitchel Mail, Jim Tom Belesiu, Timothy C. Shaw, Moshe R. Lutz, Paul Henry Dietz
  • Publication number: 20130231755
    Abstract: Sensor fusion algorithm techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, behaviors of a host device and accessory devices are controlled based upon an orientation of the host device and accessory devices, relative to one another. A combined spatial position and/or orientation for the host device may be obtained based on raw measurements that are obtained from at least two different types of sensors. In addition, a spatial position and/or orientation for an accessory device is ascertained using one or more sensors of the accessory device. An orientation (or position) of the accessory device relative to the host computing device may then be computed based on the combined spatial position/orientation for the host computing device and the ascertained spatial position/orientation for the accessory device. The relative orientation that is computed may then be used in various ways to control behaviors of the host computing device and/or accessory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David R. Perek, Michael A. Schwager, Sharon Drasnin, Mark J. Seilstad
  • Publication number: 20130229568
    Abstract: Techniques for mobile device power state are described. In one or more implementations, a mobile device includes a computing device that is flexibly coupled to an input device via a flexible hinge. Accordingly, the mobile device can operate in a variety of different power states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, an application that resides on a computing device can operate in different application states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, techniques discussed herein can differentiate between vibrations caused by touch input to a touch functionality, and other types of vibrations. Based on this differentiation, techniques can determine whether to transition between device power states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jim Tom Belesiu, Sharon Drasnin, Michael A. Schwager, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Mark J. Seilstad
  • Patent number: 8156165
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a process for maintaining file allocation tables (FATs) for a volume of storage medium. The process includes triggering, by a write operation, modification of data in an existing sector of a data file by writing of data to a new sector of the storage medium. The process also includes writing revised used/unused sector information into one FAT and setting a variable indicative of a number of FATs (NOF) to a first value. The process additionally includes copying the one FAT to another FAT and re-setting the variable to a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Malueg, Hang Li, Yadhu N. Gopalan, Ronald O Radko, Daniel J. Polivy, Sharon Drasnin, Jason Ryan Farmer, DaiQian Huang
  • Patent number: 7401190
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data, e.g. the object store, can be maintained in the event of a power loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft, Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Dennis Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7296258
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data, e.g. the object store, can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Circuitry is provided to ensure that the SRAM receives back up power from the battery at appropriate times. Software manages the SRAM and the other storage assembly components and makes use of virtual paging or virtual addressing techniques to keep track of where various pages, including object store pages, are stored in the system. The software knows where all of the object store pages are located so that in the event of a power loss, the page locations are known and hence the pages can be used when power is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7254083
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data, e.g. the object store, can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Circuitry is provided to ensure that the SRAM receives back up power from the battery at appropriate times. Software manages the SRAM and the other storage assembly components and makes use of virtual paging or virtual addressing techniques to keep track of where various pages, including object store pages, are stored in the system. The software knows where all of the object store pages are located so that in the event of a power loss, the page locations are known and hence the pages can be used when power is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Publication number: 20070136387
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a process for maintaining file allocation tables (FATs) for a volume of storage medium. The process includes triggering, by a write operation, modification of data in an existing sector of a data file by writing of data to a new sector of the storage medium. The process also includes writing revised used/unused sector information into one FAT and setting a variable indicative of a number of FATs (NOF) to a first value. The process additionally includes copying the one FAT to another FAT and re-setting the variable to a second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Malueg, Hang Li, Yadhu Gopalan, Ronald Radko, Daniel Polivy, Sharon Drasnin, Jason Farmer, DaiQian Huang
  • Patent number: 7210014
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a microprocessor executing an operating system, a memory, a bus connecting the microprocessor to the memory, and a memory protection module controlling access to the memory independent of the microprocessor. Access to the memory may be based on a combination of an address, data, and memory control signals received from the microprocessor. A method includes, independent of the microprocessor executing an operating system, controlling access to a system memory based on a combination of signals received from the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Drasnin, Edward J Lansinger, Richard D. Beckert
  • Patent number: 7174420
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a process for maintaining file allocation tables (FATs) for a volume of storage medium. The process includes triggering, by a write operation, modification of data in an existing sector of a data file by writing of data to a new sector of the storage medium. The process also includes writing revised used/unused sector information into one FAT and setting a variable indicative of a number of FATs (NOF) to a first value. The process additionally includes copying the one FAT to another FAT and re-setting the variable to a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Malueg, Hang Li, Yadhu N. Gopalan, Ronald Otto Radko, Daniel J. Polivy, Sharon Drasnin, Jason Ryan Farmer, DaiQian Huang
  • Patent number: 7155584
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, multiple object store pages are maintained in device SRAM that is configured to be battery backed in an event of a power loss. One or more object store pages are periodically flushed to device non-volatile memory to make room for additional object store pages. The frequency of object store page writes is tracked, and object store pages that are least frequently written to are flushed before object store pages that are more frequently written to. In addition, in the event of a power loss, the SRAM is battery backed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Dennis Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7099991
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Circuitry is provided to ensure that the SRAM receives back up power from the battery at the appropriate time. Software manages the SRAM and the other storage assembly components and makes use of virtual paging or virtual addressing techniques to keep track of where various pages, including object store pages, are stored in the system. The software knows exactly where all of the object store pages are stored so that in the event of a power loss, the page locations are known and hence the pages can be used when power is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Dennis Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7051160
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, an automotive computing device is provided having a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and SRAM. An object store is provided for the computing device in the non-volatile memory. One or more pages from the object store are maintained in the SRAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7043613
    Abstract: A method for facilitating fast start-up/shut-down of a computing device having a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and SRAM is described. In one embodiment, an object store for the computing device is provided in the non-volatile memory. A fast lossless shut-down of the computing device may be accomplished by periodically writing data from the object store to a non-volatile medium during operation of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko