Patents by Inventor Clinton L. Ballard
Clinton L. Ballard 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: 7930749Abstract: Files stored on a hard disk drive are scanned for a predefined pattern, such as a virus definition. For each one of a plurality of files, predetermined select portion(s) (e.g., likely sites of infection) are stored in a common file. After storing the predetermined select portions, the portions are tested without accessing the file to determine whether content of the predetermined select portion corresponds to the predefined pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Eacceleration Corp.Inventors: Clinton L Ballard, Joshua Nathaniel Lizon
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Patent number: 7836505Abstract: Files are tested for presence of a predefined data pattern, such as a virus definition. For each one file of a first plurality of files, physical address data is derived from logical address information. Also, an entry is made in a first data structure. The entry includes file information and the derived physical address data. For each one cylinder of a hard drive, the first data structure is tested to identify any files having file contents stored in the cylinder. When the testing determines that the first data structure includes an entry having physical address data corresponding to the one cylinder, a read operation I requested to read the cylinder. Such testing and reading is repeated to read in multiple cylinders in a generally sequential order. The cylinder content is stored in a buffer. File content is read from the buffer for each one file of a second plurality of files. The read file content is tested for the presence of the predefined data pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: eAcceleration CorporationInventor: Clinton L Ballard
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Patent number: 7511593Abstract: In a multi-pole, double-throw switch, three multi-terminal device connectors are coupled to a printed circuit board, along with two header connectors and a movable array. A pcb trace electrically couples each terminal of each device connector to one or more corresponding contacts at the header connectors. The movable is movable between a first throw position in which a first header connector is engaged, and a second throw position in which a second header connector is engaged. In the first throw position, each terminal of a first of the three device connectors is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal of a second of the three device connectors. In the second throw position, each terminal of the first of the three device connectors is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal of a third of the three device connectors.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: eAcceleration CorporationInventor: Clinton L Ballard
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Publication number: 20080036553Abstract: In a multi-pole, double-throw switch, three multi-terminal device connectors are coupled to a printed circuit board, along with two header connectors and a movable array. A pcb trace electrically couples each terminal of each device connector to one or more corresponding contacts at the header connectors. The movable is movable between a first throw position in which a first header connector is engaged, and a second throw position in which a second header connector is engaged. In the first throw position, each terminal of a first of the three device connectors is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal of a second of the three device connectors. In the second throw position, each terminal of the first of the three device connectors is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal of a third of the three device connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: eAcceleration CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Publication number: 20070283439Abstract: Files are tested for presence of a predefined data pattern, such as a virus definition. For each one file of a first plurality of files, physical address data is derived from logical address information. Also, an entry is made in a first data structure. The entry includes file information and the derived physical address data. For each one cylinder of a hard drive, the first data structure is tested to identify any files having file contents stored in the cylinder. When the testing determines that the first data structure includes an entry having physical address data corresponding to the one cylinder, a read operation I requested to read the cylinder. Such testing and reading is repeated to read in multiple cylinders in a generally sequential order. The cylinder content is stored in a buffer. File content is read from the buffer for each one file of a second plurality of files. The read file content is tested for the presence of the predefined data pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: eAcceleration CorporationInventor: Clinton L Ballard
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Patent number: 6950854Abstract: A sender prepares a message, then transmits an e-mail notice to the receiver and the e-mail message to a forwarding server. The “e-mail notice” is a short message, including a message ID and specifically does not include the complete prepared message. The “e-mail message” is in binary format and also includes the message ID of the corresponding e-mail notice. The receiving user receives the e-mail notice, then contacts the forwarding server to receive the e-mail message corresponding to the message ID within the received e-mail notice.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: eAcceleration SoftwareInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6847719Abstract: Receiver access to a secure communication is determined by the sender. The sender defines an access parameter, such as number of times a message can be decrypted, expiration time of message, or some contingent event that triggers expiration of a message. A send configuration module defines the encryption method, encryption key length, and the control parameter(s). A key management module serves to implement the send configuration parameters during a communication. Upon receiving a message the receiver module contacts the key management module to request a decryption key. The key management module returns the decryption key or a ‘denied’ message. Once the message is decrypted at the receiver, the key and the decrypted source are deleted from the receiver computer. The message is displayed in a bit-mapped window.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: eAcceleration Corp.Inventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6830513Abstract: Allowed actions of a computer-based player in a game are limited. A pre-action value is identified which corresponds to a relative advantage between the computer-based player and a real person player prior to a current action taken by the computer-based player. A post-action value is identified corresponding to the relative advantage between the computer-based player and the real person player after the current action taken by the computer-based player. The current action is limited to be among a set of allowed actions, which keep the post-action value at least as great as a threshold value. The current action of the computer-based player also may be limited to keep the post-action value not more than a tolerable value, where possible. The current action is selected from the set of allowed actions. The threshold value and tolerance value are prescribed, selected or varied over the course of the game.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Acceleration Corp.Inventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Publication number: 20040235546Abstract: Allowed actions of a computer-based player in a game are limited. A pre-action value is identified which corresponds to a relative advantage between the computer-based player and a real person player prior to a current action taken by the computer-based player. A post-action value is identified corresponding to the relative advantage between the computer-based player and the real person player after the current action taken by the computer-based player. The current action is limited to be among a set of allowed actions, which keep the post-action value at least as great as a threshold value. The current action of the computer-based player also may be limited to keep the post-action value not more than a tolerable value, where possible. The current action is selected from the set of allowed actions. The threshold value and tolerance value are prescribed, selected or varied over the course of the game.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Publication number: 20040149121Abstract: To purchase music online, a user becomes a member to a site which fulfils orders. An announcement is posted to members of a future release of a first song as performed by a first recording artist. Preorders are accepted from members indicating an intent to download the first song upon release for a fee. Verification is performed to determine that the member is eligible to submit the preorder. The preorders are tallied. A minimum volume of preorders is set. After the minimum volume is met, the first song is released. Members' accounts are charged the fee to access the song. By setting the minimum volume, a threshold revenue level is achieved for release of the first song assuring an established artist a minimum revenue regardless of any pirating that might occur after the release.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Publication number: 20040117647Abstract: A digital audio video recorder captures a stream of audio video (AV) data targeted for output onto a computer display. The content is intercepted from a DVD playback, an internet data stream, an audio disc or another audio, video or audio-video source and routed to a select encoder for compression. Various encoders are available for recording at varying fidelity and speed. The intercepted also is encrypted with a key. The key is specific to the medium to which the captured AV stream is stored. The encryption step prevents the AV content from being distributed, but allows the AV stream to be played back later from the same medium onto which it was captured. The AV stream is compressed and encrypted on a frame by frame or a batch-frame basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Publication number: 20030065941Abstract: A subscribing user generates a private key and a corresponding public key stored locally in a “key-ring.” The public key is uploaded to a key repository on a communications server, where public keys of subscribers are maintained. When sending a secure message, the sender's key-ring is checked to determine whether the public key for the recipient is present. If yes, then the public key is used to encrypt the message. If no, then a lookup request is sent to the server to determine whether a public key is available for the recipient. If there is, then the public key is downloaded from the repository to the sender. When the recipient receives the secure message, the recipient's private key is used to decrypt the message. The sender's most recent public key also is transmitted with the message and stored in the recipient's key-ring for future messages sent back to the key owner. Automated key management features are included.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Clinton L. Ballard, Joshua N. Lizon, Christopher D. Ayers, Daniel K. Horn, Ricardo L. Spates, Jon G. Delmendo, Joseph P. Sines, Andrew E. Olsen, Timothy W. Smith
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Publication number: 20020188728Abstract: File transfers between a client computer and a file server are accelerated by adaptively varying the number of connections between the two computers. The number of connections used is changed dynamically based on real-time feedback. Throughput measurements are taken continuously for variations of the current connections. The optimal number of connections can vary for different types of Internet connections. The actual number of connections that would be optimal for a specific transfer will change, perhaps even from minute to minute, depending on the user's Internet service provider (ISP), the modem speed, the current Internet traffic congestion and the server implementation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: Acceleration Softwave International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Publication number: 20020188687Abstract: A sender prepares a message, then transmits an e-mail notice to the receiver and the e-mail message to a forwarding server. The “e-mail notice” is a short message, including a message ID and specifically does not include the complete prepared message. The “e-mail message” is in binary format and also includes the message ID of the corresponding e-mail notice. The receiving user receives the e-mail notice, then contacts the forwarding server to receive the e-mail message corresponding to the message ID within the received e-mail notice.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: Acceleration software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6473756Abstract: A file among equivalent files identified during a search of a global computer network is selected to be downloaded to a local computer. Equivalent files are found frequently where different copies of the same song are stored many times on a global computer network. A portion of all or a subset of the equivalent files are screened during a brief trial download period. Because the files are expected to be located at different sites, the bandwidth of the pathways to the respective files may vary. Amongst other criteria, the file with the best download performance during the trial time period is selected to be downloaded in its entirety.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6449765Abstract: A plurality of vendors include a prescribed hyperlink protocol in their web pages to be participating web pages. The protocol included is the same for everyone, although the function and appearance of a resulting hyperlink varies. For a non-participating end user, the prescribed hyperlink forwards access to a sign-up site. For a participating end user, the function varies according whether the current web page is the referral web site start page, a referral web site non-start page, the privileged web site start page, a privileged web site non-start page, or another participating web page. For the referral start page, the hyperlink redirects access to the privileged web site start page. For the privileged start page, the hyperlink redirects access to the referral start page. For other participating web pages, the function may rotate to redirect access to the referral site or the privileged domain.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6430739Abstract: The functionality of software is contingent upon the home page setting for a user. Each time a user logs onto the World Wide Web, a home page manager program checks the home page setting. If the setting is the predetermined home page, then normal operation of contingent software ensues. If the setting is not the predetermined home page, then access to the contingent software is limited or disabled. The predetermined home page is any one of a prescribed set of home pages listed at a control site. In rotational mode a plurality of prescribed home pages are rotated as the predetermined home page. In long term mode the user selects one home page from the plurality of prescribed home pages as the predetermined home page. The home page manager software also allows (i) access to a user's alternative home page, and (ii) monitoring the level of activity of software.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6236661Abstract: Portions of the internet are embedded onto a transportable media, then delivered periodically to subscribing clients. The contents are indexed to relate a given document to a URL and a time stamp. During on-line access to the internet, the transportable media serves as a read only cache. After issuing a command to view a document at a given URL, a test is performed to see if the document stored on the media is up to date. A command is sent over the internet to identify the date for the most recent update of the document. If the identified date is more recent then the corresponding time stamp, the media version is out of date. So the document is downloaded and displayed. If, however, the time stamp is the same or more recent then the identified date, the document as stored on the media is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6182050Abstract: Matching between advertisement and target consumer is achieved in a system which maintains consumer privacy. Such system includes computer end users, an advertising service provider and advertisers. Computer end users subscribe to the advertising service provider. The advertising service provider sells time or other accountable units to the advertisers. The advertiser provides the advertisement. Each advertisement has accompanying demographic information or a desired affinity ranking. The end user completes a demographic questionnaire and ranks various categories of products and services. The advertising service provider sends executable filter programs which run on the end user computer to test whether a corresponding advertisement is to be downloaded and displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventor: Clinton L. Ballard
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Patent number: 6157930Abstract: WAN documents are stored locally in cache with a document expiration date. Ideally, content is unchanged prior to the expiration date and has changed after the expiration date. When requesting to view a WAN document while on-line, the document first is displayed from cache for display and verify mode. The web browser then sends a request to the web server to verify whether the document has been modified. If still valid, then the document is already displayed and time has been saved. If invalid, then the document is downloaded from the web server, stored in cache, and optionally or automatically displayed in place of the invalid document. A signal is communicated to the user, for example, to give the option to reload the document. Because document expiration times may be absent or unreliable, a soft and a hard expiration time are derived and adjusted dynamically based upon their reliability.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Acceleration Software International CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Ballard, Timothy W. Smith