Patents by Inventor Clark D. Nicholson

Clark D. Nicholson 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: 10216637
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Wilson, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 9703444
    Abstract: A multi-user computer system may distribute user windows across multiple monitors. Some of the user windows may span two or more monitors. Some user windows may share a monitor. Each user window may be associated with a set of user input devices for each user. The user window configuration may be changed on the fly by an administrative user, who may reposition, rotate, scale, or perform other changes to the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Clark D. Nicholson, Kentaro Toyama, Jack Creasey, Richard Lewis, Robert C. Elmer
  • Publication number: 20170132136
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Daniel Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Wilson, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 9405693
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Daniel Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 8583949
    Abstract: Described are a main host system of the client computer, and a network event notification system, including a networking subsystem that communicates with a network server to act as a proxy for the client computer when the main host system of the client computer is in a sleep state. The networking subsystem may await a synchronization packet initiated by the network server, or may occasionally poll the network server to determine whether data is available. To this end, the computing device operates an associated network subsystem while the main host system of the computing device is in a sleep state, and receives data via the network subsystem indicating that content is available. Policy is then invoked to determine whether to wake at least part of the main host system to handle the content. A target duty cycle mechanism also controls the average power consumption during wake and sleep cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Belali, Cort Whitney Stinnett, Clark D. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20130042012
    Abstract: Images from web pages may be classified based on the text associated with the images. A system for identifying and classifying images may identify one or more web pages containing the image, determine topics from the text of the web pages, and develop a set of training phrases for a classifier. The classifier may be trained, then used to analyze the text in the web pages. The training set may include both positive examples and negative examples of text taken from the website. A positive example may include captions or other elements directly associated with the image, while negative examples may include text taken from the web page, but from a large distance from the web page. In some cases, the system may iterate on the classification process to refine the results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Lewis, Jack Creasey, Neil Fishman, Clark D. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20120297212
    Abstract: Described are a main host system of the client computer, and a network event notification system, including a networking subsystem that communicates with a network server to act as a proxy for the client computer when the main host system of the client computer is in a sleep state. The networking subsystem may await a synchronization packet initiated by the network server, or may occasionally poll the network server to determine whether data is available. To this end, the computing device operates an associated network subsystem while the main host system of the computing device is in a sleep state, and receives data via the network subsystem indicating that content is available. Policy is then invoked to determine whether to wake at least part of the main host system to handle the content. A target duty cycle mechanism also controls the average power consumption during wake and sleep cycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohamed Belali, Cort Whitney Stinnett, Clark D. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20120290785
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Publication number: 20120254788
    Abstract: A multi-user computer system may distribute user windows across multiple monitors, some of the user windows may span two or more monitors, and some user windows may share a monitor. Each user window may be associated with a set of user input devices for each user. The user window configuration may be changed on the fly by an administrative user, who may reposition, rotate, scale, or perform other changes to the windows. Some embodiments may include a rule stack that may apply different levels of rules in succession to allocate user windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clark D. Nicholson, Kentaro Toyama, Jack Creasey, Richard Lewis, Robert C. Elmer
  • Patent number: 8255645
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 8244861
    Abstract: Described are a main host system of the client computer, and a network event notification system, including a networking subsystem that communicates with a network server to act as a proxy for the client computer when the main host system of the client computer is in a sleep state. The networking subsystem may await a synchronization packet initiated by the network server, or may occasionally poll the network server to determine whether data is available. To this end, the computing device operates an associated network subsystem while the main host system of the computing device is in a sleep state, and receives data via the network subsystem indicating that content is available to the computing device. Policy is then invoked policy to determine whether to wake at least part of the main host system to handle the content. A target duty cycle mechanism is also provided to control the average power consumption during wake and sleep cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Belali, Cort Whitney Stinnett, Clark D. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20120005422
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 8041904
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Publication number: 20110138210
    Abstract: Described are a main host system of the client computer, and a network event notification system, including a networking subsystem that communicates with a network server to act as a proxy for the client computer when the main host system of the client computer is in a sleep state. The networking subsystem may await a synchronization packet initiated by the network server, or may occasionally poll the network server to determine whether data is available. To this end, the computing device operates an associated network subsystem while the main host system of the computing device is in a sleep state, and receives data via the network subsystem indicating that content is available to the computing device. Policy is then invoked policy to determine whether to wake at least part of the main host system to handle the content. A target duty cycle mechanism is also provided to control the average power consumption during wake and sleep cycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Belali, Cort Whitney Stinnett, Clark D. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 7895309
    Abstract: Embodiments include a main host system of the client computer, and a network event notification system, including a networking subsystem that communicates with a network server to act as a proxy for the client computer when the main host system of the client computer is in a sleep state. The networking subsystem awaits a synchronization packet initiated by the network server, or polls the network server to determine whether data is available. The computing device operates an associated network subsystem while the main host system of the computing device is in a sleep state, and receives data via the network subsystem indicating that content is available to the computing device. Policy is then invoked to determine whether to wake at least part of the main host system to handle the content. A target duty cycle mechanism is also provided to control the average power consumption during wake and sleep cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Belali, Cort Whitney Stinnett, Clark D. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20100077197
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 7644239
    Abstract: In order to provide a more efficient persistent storage device, one or more long-term storage media are included along with a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, one portion of the non-volatile memory is used as a write buffer and a read cache for writes and reads to the long-term storage media. Interfaces are provided for controlling the use of the non-volatile memory as a write buffer and a read cache. Additionally, a portion of the non-volatile memory is used to provide a direct mapping for specified sectors of the long-term storage media. Descriptive data regarding the persistent storage device is stored in another portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Cenk Ergan, Clark D. Nicholson, Dan Teodosiu, Dean L. DeWhitt, Emily Nicole Hill, Hanumantha R. Kodavalla, Michael J. Zwilling, John M. Parchem, Michael R. Fortin, Nathan Steven Obr, Rajeev Y. Nagar, Surenda Verma, Therron Powell, William J. Westerinen, Mark Joseph Zbikowski, Patrick L. Stemen
  • Patent number: 7620773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to improve the read/write performance of a hard drive is presented. A device having solid state, non-volatile (NV) memory is added in-line to the conventional hard drive and acts as a read/write cache. Data specified by the operating system is stored in the NV memory. The operating system provides a list of data to be put in NV memory. The data includes data to be pinned in NV memory and data that is dynamic. Pinned data persists in NV memory until the operating system commands it to be flushed. Dynamic data can be flushed by the hard drive controller. Data sent by an application for storage is temporarily stored in NV memory in data blocks until the operating system commits it to the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Clark D. Nicholson, Michael R. Fortin, Shaun B. Wiley, Cenk Ergan
  • Patent number: 7454653
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that provides a reliable diskless network-bootable computers using a local non-volatile memory (NVM) cache. The NVM cache is used by the computer when the network is temporarily unavailable or slow. The cache is later synchronized with a remote boot server having remote storage volumes when network conditions improve. It is determined if data is to be stored in the NVM cache or the remote storage volume. Data sent to the remote storage volume is transactionally written and the data is cached in the NVM cache if a network outage is occurring or a transaction complete message has not been received. The data stored in the NVM cache allows the user to continue operating during network outages and the computer can be cold-booted using the data in the NVM cache if the network is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Clark D. Nicholson, William J. Westerinen, Cenk Ergan, Michael R. Fortin, Mehmet Iyigun
  • Patent number: 7395452
    Abstract: A method of preventing data loss in a data storage system includes supplying write data to a high speed volatile write buffer and supplying electrical power from an energy storage device upon detection of a primary power loss event. The backup electrical power is supplied to the write buffer and nonvolatile cache. Under backup power, the write data is transferred into the nonvolatile cache and the backup power is removed. Upon regaining main power, a data presence indication triggers a transfer of the write data from the nonvolatile cache to the long term storage media. The method may be implemented for a system to protect it from inadvertent power losses or it may implemented in a system where the long term storage device is power cycled to save power. The energy storage device is not necessarily needed in the power cycled system unless power failure protection is also desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Clark D. Nicholson, William J. Westerinen