Patents by Inventor Andrew R. Sterland
Andrew R. Sterland 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: 11755458Abstract: Automatic identification of execution behavior(s) of software. This automatic identification is based on analysis of historical execution records using machine learning to identify a particular pattern that corresponds to an execution behavior. In order to automatically identify an execution behavior present within particular software, an execution record of that particular software is accessed. The execution record includes an execution trace that reproducibly represents the execution of the software within a particular execution environment, such that the execution record is usable to rerun the execution of the software precisely as the software previously run. Based on finding the particular pattern within the execution record, the computing system automatically identifies that the execution behavior is present within the software.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Leslie Yvette Richardson, Jackson Michael Davis, Del Myers, Thomas Lai, Andrew R. Sterland, Jordi Mola, James M. Pinkerton
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Patent number: 11604720Abstract: Based on replay of a thread, one implementation observes an influx of a value of a memory cell comprising an interaction between the thread and the value of the memory cell at an execution time point in the replaying, and determines whether the value of the memory cell observed from the influx is inconsistent with a prior value of the memory cell as known by the thread at the execution time point. If so, this implementation initiates an indication of a data inconsistency. Based on replay of a plurality of threads, another implementation identifies a memory cell that was accessed by a first thread while a thread synchronization mechanism was active on the first thread. Then, if there was another access to the memory cell by a second thread without use of the thread synchronization mechanism, this implementation initiates an indication of a potential data contention.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Del Myers, Jackson Michael Davis, Thomas Lai, Andrew R. Sterland, Deborah Chen, Patrick Lothian Nelson, Jordi Mola, Juan Carlos Arevalo Baeza, James M. Pinkerton, Leslie Yvette Richardson, Kenneth Walter Sykes
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Publication number: 20210406154Abstract: Based on replay of a thread, one implementation observes an influx of a value of a memory cell comprising an interaction between the thread and the value of the memory cell at an execution time point in the replaying, and determines whether the value of the memory cell observed from the influx is inconsistent with a prior value of the memory cell as known by the thread at the execution time point. If so, this implementation initiates an indication of a data inconsistency. Based on replay of a plurality of threads, another implementation identifies a memory cell that was accessed by a first thread while a thread synchronization mechanism was active on the first thread. Then, if there was another access to the memory cell by a second thread without use of the thread synchronization mechanism, this implementation initiates an indication of a potential data contention.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Del MYERS, Jackson Michael DAVIS, Thomas LAI, Andrew R. STERLAND, Deborah CHEN, Patrick Lothian NELSON, Jordi MOLA, Juan Carlos AREVALO BAEZA, James M. PINKERTON, Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Kenneth Walter SYKES
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Patent number: 11138093Abstract: Identifying and reporting potential data inconsistencies and/or potential data contentions based on historic debugging traces. Based on replay of a thread, some implementations observe an influx of a value to a memory cell, and determine whether the value of the memory cell observed from the influx is inconsistent with a prior value of the memory cell as known by the thread. If so, these implementations can initiate an indication of a data inconsistency. Based on replay of a plurality of threads, other implementations identify a memory cell that was accessed by a first thread while a thread synchronization mechanism was active on the first thread. Then, if there was another access to the memory cell by a second thread without use of the thread synchronization mechanism, these implementations might initiate an indication of a potential data contention.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Del Myers, Jackson Michael Davis, Thomas Lai, Andrew R Sterland, Deborah Chen, Patrick Lothian Nelson, Jordi Mola, Juan Carlos Arevalo Baeza, James M Pinkerton, Leslie Yvette Richardson, Kenneth Walter Sykes
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Patent number: 11132280Abstract: This disclosure relates to identifying and presenting differences between a plurality of recorded executions of an executable entity. One or more models are created over the plurality of recorded prior executions of at least a portion of an executable entity. These models include at least one of (i) a control flow model, or (ii) a data model. An anomalous model data point is identified within these models, and a first location in at least one of the plurality of recorded executions that corresponds to the anomalous model data point is identified. A second location in the at least one of the plurality of recorded executions is also identified. This second location is causal to the anomalous model data point at the first location. The identity of the first and/or second locations in the least one of the plurality of recorded executions is presented.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Jackson Michael Davis, Del Myers, Patrick Lothian Nelson, Andrew R. Sterland, Leslie Yvette Richardson, Jordi Mola, James M. Pinkerton, Mark Marron
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Publication number: 20210141709Abstract: Automatic identification of execution behavior(s) of software. This automatic identification is based on analysis of historical execution records using machine learning to identify a particular pattern that corresponds to an execution behavior. In order to automatically identify an execution behavior present within particular software, an execution record of that particular software is accessed. The execution record includes an execution trace that reproducibly represents the execution of the software within a particular execution environment, such that the execution record is usable to rerun the execution of the software precisely as the software previously run. Based on finding the particular pattern within the execution record, the computing system automatically identifies that the execution behavior is present within the software.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Jackson Michael DAVIS, Del MYERS, Thomas LAI, Andrew R. STERLAND, Jordi MOLA, James M. PINKERTON
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Patent number: 10956304Abstract: Dynamically instrumenting code that executes based on a historic execution of a subject executable entity. Historic execution information for a subject executable entity is accessed. The historic execution information includes execution state information for at least one point in time in the historic execution the executable entity. Diagnostic code instruction(s) are identified, for instrumenting subject code instruction(s) of the executable entity. The subject code instruction(s) are virtually executed based at least on supplying the subject code instruction(s) with data from the historic execution information. While virtually executing the identified executable code instruction(s), the diagnostic code instruction(s) are also executed. The diagnostic code instruction(s) collecting diagnostic data regarding the virtual execution of the subject code instruction(s), or override at least one of a value or an execution behavior of the subject code instruction(s).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Jackson Michael Davis, Patrick Lothian Nelson, Andrew R. Sterland, Jordi Mola, Del Myers, Leslie Yvette Richardson, Thomas Lai
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Patent number: 10922210Abstract: The automatic identification of execution behavior(s) of software. This automatic identification is based on a historical analysis of execution records to identify a particular pattern that represents an execution behavior. In order to automatically identify an execution behavior present within particular software, an execution record (or perhaps multiple execution records) representing the execution of that particular software may be accessed. Based on finding the particular pattern within the execution record (or one, some, or all of the multiple execution records) representing the execution of that particular software, the computing system may automatically identify that the execution behavior is present within the software. This may dramatically assist in modifying that execution behavior.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Leslie Yvette Richardson, Jackson Michael Davis, Del Myers, Thomas Lai, Andrew R. Sterland, Jordi Mola, James M. Pinkerton
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Patent number: 10877873Abstract: Techniques are provided to use historic execution state information to visualize tracepoint data. For example, historic execution state information corresponding to an application's previous execution is accessed. This historic execution state information was collected while the application was executing. After correlating the historic execution state information to the application's code, a tracepoint is associated with a portion of the code. Consequently, when the code is replayed based on the historic execution state information, the tracepoint causes a behavior of that code portion to be logged while the code is replayed uninterrupted. The code is then actually replayed based on the historic execution state information. During the replay, the tracepoint causes the behavior of the code portion to be logged. The logged behavior is visualized on a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Leslie Yvette Richardson, Jackson Michael Davis, Thomas Lai, Del Myers, Patrick Lothian Nelson, Jordi Mola, James M. Pinkerton, Andrew R. Sterland, Andrew Joseph Luhrs, Timothy Gardner Misiak
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Patent number: 10846198Abstract: Automatic navigation of a user from a log statement that is selected by the user from a log to a code expression that was executed to generate the selected log statement. The computing system automatically identifies one or more code expressions as candidates for having generated the log statement, and then maps the log statement to these identified candidate code expressions in the code. In response to input from the user selecting the log expression, the computing system uses the mapping to visually provide a correlation between the log statement and the particular code expression, where the one or more mapped code expressions includes the particular code expression that actually generated the log statement.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Jackson Michael Davis, Andrew R. Sterland, Patrick Fenelon, Esteban Herrera
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Publication number: 20200349053Abstract: Identifying and reporting potential data inconsistencies and/or potential data contentions based on historic debugging traces. Based on replay of a thread, some implementations observe an influx of a value to a memory cell, and determine whether the value of the memory cell observed from the influx is inconsistent with a prior value of the memory cell as known by the thread. If so, these implementations can initiate an indication of a data inconsistency. Based on replay of a plurality of threads, other implementations identify a memory cell that was accessed by a first thread while a thread synchronization mechanism was active on the first thread. Then, if there was another access to the memory cell by a second thread without use of the thread synchronization mechanism, these implementations might initiate an indication of a potential data contention.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Del MYERS, Jackson Michael DAVIS, Thomas LAI, Andrew R. STERLAND, Deborah CHEN, Patrick Lothian NELSON, Jordi MOLA, Juan Carlos AREVALO BAEZA, James M. PINKERTON, Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Kenneth Walter SYKES
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Publication number: 20200301817Abstract: Automatic navigation of a user from a log statement that is selected by the user from a log to a code expression that was executed to generate the selected log statement. The computing system automatically identifies one or more code expressions as candidates for having generated the log statement, and then maps the log statement to these identified candidate code expressions in the code. In response to input from the user selecting the log expression, the computing system uses the mapping to visually provide a correlation between the log statement and the particular code expression, where the one or more mapped code expressions includes the particular code expression that actually generated the log statement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Jackson Michael DAVIS, Andrew R. STERLAND, Patrick FENELON, Esteban HERRERA
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Publication number: 20200272555Abstract: The automatic identification of execution behavior(s) of software. This automatic identification is based on a historical analysis of execution records to identify a particular pattern that represents an execution behavior. In order to automatically identify an execution behavior present within particular software, an execution record (or perhaps multiple execution records) representing the execution of that particular software may be accessed. Based on finding the particular pattern within the execution record (or one, some, or all of the multiple execution records) representing the execution of that particular software, the computing system may automatically identify that the execution behavior is present within the software. This may dramatically assist in modifying that execution behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Jackson Michael DAVIS, Del MYERS, Thomas LAI, Andrew R. STERLAND, Jordi MOLA, James M. PINKERTON
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Publication number: 20200257615Abstract: Techniques are provided to use historic execution state information to visualize tracepoint data. For example, historic execution state information corresponding to an application's previous execution is accessed. This historic execution state information was collected while the application was executing. After correlating the historic execution state information to the application's code, a tracepoint is associated with a portion of the code. Consequently, when the code is replayed based on the historic execution state information, the tracepoint causes a behavior of that code portion to be logged while the code is replayed uninterrupted. The code is then actually replayed based on the historic execution state information. During the replay, the tracepoint causes the behavior of the code portion to be logged. The logged behavior is visualized on a user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Jackson Michael DAVIS, Thomas LAI, Del MYERS, Patrick Lothian NELSON, Jordi MOLA, James M. PINKERTON, Andrew R. STERLAND, Andrew Joseph LUHRS, Timothy Gardner MISIAK
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Publication number: 20200257614Abstract: This disclosure relates to identifying and presenting differences between a plurality of recorded executions of an executable entity. One or more models are created over the plurality of recorded prior executions of at least a portion of an executable entity. These models include at least one of (i) a control flow model, or (ii) a data model. An anomalous model data point is identified within these models, and a first location in at least one of the plurality of recorded executions that corresponds to the anomalous model data point is identified. A second location in the at least one of the plurality of recorded executions is also identified. This second location is causal to the anomalous model data point at the first location. The identity of the first and/or second locations in the least one of the plurality of recorded executions is presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Jackson Michael DAVIS, Del MYERS, Patrick Lothian NELSON, Andrew R. STERLAND, Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Jordi Mola, James M. PINKERTON, Mark MARRON
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Publication number: 20200242007Abstract: Dynamically instrumenting code that executes based on a historic execution of a subject executable entity. Historic execution information for a subject executable entity is accessed. The historic execution information includes execution state information for at least one point in time in the historic execution the executable entity. Diagnostic code instruction(s) are identified, for instrumenting subject code instruction(s) of the executable entity. The subject code instruction(s) are virtually executed based at least on supplying the subject code instruction(s) with data from the historic execution information. While virtually executing the identified executable code instruction(s), the diagnostic code instruction(s) are also executed. The diagnostic code instruction(s) collecting diagnostic data regarding the virtual execution of the subject code instruction(s), or override at least one of a value or an execution behavior of the subject code instruction(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Jackson Michael DAVIS, Patrick Lothian NELSON, Andrew R. STERLAND, Jordi MOLA, Del MYERS, Leslie Yvette RICHARDSON, Thomas LAI
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Patent number: 10545852Abstract: A method for diagnosing computer readable instructions related to transfers of control is disclosed. A state transition of a unit of execution within a logical operation providing an event handler for a Document Object Model is logged during runtime of the computer readable instructions. Diagnostic information of the logical operation is associated with the state transition. The state transition and associated diagnostic information is provided for retrieval at a selected point in the computer readable instructions.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael C. Fanning, Felix Gerard Torquil Ifor Andrew, Daniel J. Moseley, Simon Calvert, Andrew R. Sterland, Timothy Rice, Jeffrey T. Fisher, Robert A. Paveza, Taylor C. Woll, Gregg Miskelly, Harold L. Pierson, III, Christopher Edmonds, Elliot H. Omiya, Karthik Vivek Nadig, Francisco Javier Wong, Zhaochuan Gao, Andriy Stasyuk
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Publication number: 20190057012Abstract: A method for diagnosing computer readable instructions related to transfers of control is disclosed. A state transition of a unit of execution within a logical operation providing an event handler for a Document Object Model is logged during runtime of the computer readable instructions. Diagnostic information of the logical operation is associated with the state transition. The state transition and associated diagnostic information is provided for retrieval at a selected point in the computer readable instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael C. Fanning, Felix Gerard Torquil Ifor Andrew, Daniel J. Moseley, Simon Calvert, Andrew R. Sterland, Timothy Rice, Jeffrey T. Fisher, Robert A. Paveza, Taylor C. Woll, Gregg Miskelly, Harold L. Pierson, III, Christopher Edmonds, Elliot H. Omiya, Karthik Vivek Nadig, Francisco Javier Wong, Zhaochuan Gao, Andriy Stasyuk
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Patent number: 10078575Abstract: A method for diagnosing computer readable instructions related to transfers of control is disclosed. A state transition of a unit of execution within a logical operation is logged during runtime of the computer readable instructions. Diagnostic information of the logical operation is associated with the state transition. The state transition and associated diagnostic information is provided for retrieval at a selected point in the computer readable instructions.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael C. Fanning, Felix Gerard Torquil Ifor Andrew, Daniel J. Moseley, Simon Calvert, Andrew R. Sterland, Timothy Rice, Jeffrey T. Fisher, Robert A. Paveza, Taylor C. Woll, Gregg Miskelly, Harold L. Pierson, III, Christopher Edmonds, Elliot H. Omiya, Karthik Vivek Nadig, Francisco Javier Wong, Zhaochuan Gao, Andriy Stasyuk
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Patent number: 9665463Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of instantiating and executing in-process wrapped execution engine(s) for tooling a dynamic program across a process boundary. For instance, a dynamic language execution engine may be instantiated in a wrapper object that is hosted in a host process to provide a wrapped execution engine while the host process is running. The wrapped execution engine may be configured to provide information regarding execution of a targeted application of the host process to a requesting application. The wrapped execution engine may be isolated from other execution engine(s) that are included in the host process such that the targeted application does not have access to code that defines the wrapped execution engine. The targeted application may include one or more of the other execution engines.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Benjamin J. Anderson, Michael C. Fanning, Timothy S. Rice, Andrew R. Sterland