Patents by Inventor Chris McMillan

Chris McMillan 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: 8683579
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activation of software that uses digital licenses. In some embodiments, a software vendor may securely deliver at least one digital proof-of-purchase to an OEM (e.g., to avoid piracy of software licenses). The OEM may install an associated software copy on a computer system, and store the at least one digital proof-of-purchase on it. The OEM may communicate the proof(s)-of-purchase stored on the computer system and its system identifier to the software vendor. A user of the computer system may attempt to activate the OEM pre-installed software by sending an activation request to a software vendor, who may verify whether or not the digital proof-of-purchase and system identifier in the activation request match those previously reported by the OEM, and may either grant or deny the activation request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Zhang, Aditya Dhar, David Maralack, Ajay Bhave, Jihad Tafas, Matt Graves, Eric Timmreck, Mike Weidenbener, Chris McMillan, Shane Patton
  • Publication number: 20120151574
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activation of software that uses digital licenses. In some embodiments, a software vendor may securely deliver at least one digital proof-of-purchase to an OEM (e.g., to avoid piracy of software licenses). The OEM may install an associated software copy on a computer system, and store the at least one digital proof-of-purchase on it. The OEM may communicate the proof(s)-of-purchase stored on the computer system and its system identifier to the software vendor. A user of the computer system may attempt to activate the OEM pre-installed software by sending an activation request to a software vendor, who may verify whether or not the digital proof-of-purchase and system identifier in the activation request match those previously reported by the OEM, and may either grant or deny the activation request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Zhang, Aditya Dhar, David Maralack, Ajay Bhave, Jihad Tafas, Matt Graves, Eric Timmreck, Mike Weidenbener, Chris McMillan, Shane Patton
  • Publication number: 20080055772
    Abstract: A Pre-Contact Signal Detector (PCSD) used to predict contact between read-write head and disk surface. A preamplifier may include the PCSD. A main flex circuit may include the preamplifier. A head stack assembly may include the main flex circuit. An embedded circuit may use a pre-contact alert circuit, which may also be included in the PCSD and/or the preamplifier, also the main flex circuit, the head stack assembly. A hard disk drive may include the head stack assembly communicating with the embedded circuit. Manufacturing methods for these and their products of the manufacturing processes, including the program system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Chris McMillan, Umesh Chandra, Yawshing Tang, Xiaodong Che, Hoyul Bang