Patents by Inventor Michael S. Foster

Michael S. Foster 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: 7034938
    Abstract: A Non-Scanning Computed Tomography Imaging Spectropolarimeter (NS-CTISP) measures all spatial, spectral and polarimetric information simultaneously in an image scene allowing measurement of dynamically changing scenes. In particular, NS-CTISP uses division of aperture to polarimetrically analyze each divided image, all of which are thereafter diffracted to measure irradiance on a focal plane array. The Stokes object cube data for each voxel is thereafter estimated from an inverse of the voxel polarimetric calibration matrix for the optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Brian H. Miles, Andrew L. Hoffman, Michael S. Foster
  • Patent number: 6996058
    Abstract: An interconnect fabric module (“IFM”) with high-speed switching capabilities. An interconnect fabric module can be dynamically configured to interconnect its communications ports so that data can be transmitted through the interconnected ports. Multiple interconnect fabric modules can be connected to form an interconnect fabric through which nodes (e.g., computer systems) can be interconnected. In one embodiment, data is transmitted through the interconnect fabric as frames such as those defined by the Fiber Channel and InfiniBand standards. The interconnect fabric module allows the creation of an interconnect fabric that is especially well suited for interconnecting devices utilizing multiple information types such as might be required by the devices of an enterprise data network (“EDN”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Patent number: 6993023
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for integrating multiple techniques for processing data communications is described in which the processing steps shared by multiple of the techniques do not have to be duplicated by each of the techniques. In some situations, some or all of the multiple processing techniques are performed in parallel, such as on different processors. In some situations, a Multi-Protocol Edge Switch (“MPEX”) is used to integrate multiple processing techniques for received data communications that are to be forwarded to a destination, such as by performing protocol translation, performing load balancing between multiple alternative destinations on one or more of the networks to which the MPEX belongs, performing firewall and other content-based analysis for any or all of the nodes on one or more of the networks to which the MPEX belongs, and/or providing content-based routing of data communications in order to identify appropriate destinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Patent number: 6777989
    Abstract: A system and method for providing synchronous clocking allows for precise control of the phase relationship of the clocking signals to thereby provide accurate duty cycles for proper system operation. A digital logic circuit, such as a D-type flip-flop, is provided with a phase signal and clock signal having a frequency relationship. The output of the digital logic circuit is a function of the phase signal and clock signal. The synchronous output may be provided to multiple locations within a system to allow for a synchronous local clock in each of the locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rodney A. Hughes, Michael S. Foster
  • Publication number: 20040004966
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for using virtual identifiers to route communications through a network to destinations in an appropriate manner is described. The virtual identifiers can each be assigned to one or more paths through a network to a destination, such as by a network manager for the network. An appropriate virtual identifier for routing a data communication can also be identified in various ways, such as by registering the data communication with a network manager for the network and receiving an appropriate virtual identifier in response. A virtual identifier identified for a data communication may also be assigned to a path to one or more destinations that are selected as being appropriate in various ways, including selecting destinations that do not include a destination specified by a source of the communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20030210082
    Abstract: A system and method for providing synchronous clocking allows for precise control of the phase relationship of the clocking signals to thereby provide accurate duty cycles for proper system operation. A digital logic circuit, such as a D-type flip-flop, is provided with a phase signal and clock signal having a frequency relationship. The output of the digital logic circuit is a function of the phase signal and clock signal. The synchronous output may be provided to multiple locations within a system to allow for a synchronous local clock in each of the locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Rodney A. Hughes, Michael S. Foster
  • Publication number: 20030210685
    Abstract: An interconnect fabric module (“IFM”) with high-speed switching capabilities. An interconnect fabric module can be dynamically configured to interconnect its communications ports so that data can be transmitted through the interconnected ports. Multiple interconnect fabric modules can be connected to form an interconnect fabric through which nodes (e.g., computer systems) can be interconnected. In one embodiment, data is transmitted through the interconnect fabric as frames such as those defined by the Fibre Channel and InfiniBand standards. The interconnect fabric module allows the creation of an interconnect fabric that is especially well suited for interconnecting devices utilizing multiple information types such as might be required by the devices of an enterprise data network (“EDN”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20030202536
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for integrating multiple techniques for processing data communications is described in which the processing steps shared by multiple of the techniques do not have to be duplicated by each of the techniques. In some situations, some or all of the multiple processing techniques are performed in parallel, such as on different processors. In some situations, a Multi-Protocol Edge Switch (“MPEX”) is used to integrate multiple processing techniques for received data communications that are to be forwarded to a destination, such as by performing protocol translation, performing load balancing between multiple alternative destinations on one or more of the networks to which the MPEX belongs, performing firewall and other content-based analysis for any or all of the nodes on one or more of the networks to which the MPEX belongs, and/or providing content-based routing of data communications in order to identify appropriate destinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20030202535
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for integrating multiple techniques for processing data communications is described in which the processing steps shared by multiple of the techniques do not have to be duplicated by each of the techniques. In some situations, some or all of the multiple processing techniques are performed in parallel, such as on different processors. In some situations, a Multi-Protocol Edge Switch (“MPEX”) is used to integrate multiple processing techniques for received data communications that are to be forwarded to a destination, such as by performing protocol translation, performing load balancing between multiple alternative destinations on one or more of the networks to which the MPEX belongs, performing firewall and other content-based analysis for any or all of the nodes on one or more of the networks to which the MPEX belongs, and/or providing content-based routing of data communications in order to identify appropriate destinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20030204618
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for processing received data communications that are routed through a network by using virtual identifiers is described. The virtual identifiers can each be assigned to one or more paths through a network to a destination, such as by a network manager for the network. When a destination receives a communication routed using a virtual identifier, the received communication can be processed based on the virtual identifier. In some situations, a received data communication is forwarded to one or more resources of the destination that are associated with the virtual identifier used to route the communication, such as an executing application program. In addition, the received data communication can be modified before the forwarding, such as to add network address information that is expected by the resource by, for example, retrieving information that is associated with the virtual identifier used to route the communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20030189927
    Abstract: An interconnect fabric module (“IFM”) with high-speed switching capabilities. An interconnect fabric module can be dynamically configured to interconnect its communications ports so that data can be transmitted through the interconnected ports. Multiple interconnect fabric modules can be connected to form an interconnect fabric through which nodes (e.g., computer systems) can be interconnected. In one embodiment, data is transmitted through the interconnect fabric as frames such as those defined by the Fibre Channel and InfiniBand standards. The interconnect fabric module allows the creation of an interconnect fabric that is especially well suited for interconnecting devices utilizing multiple information types such as might be required by the devices of an enterprise data network (“EDN”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020188754
    Abstract: An interconnect fabric module (“IFM”) with high-speed switching capabilities. An interconnect fabric module can be dynamically configured to interconnect its communications ports so that data can be transmitted through the interconnected ports. Multiple interconnect fabric modules can be connected to form an interconnect fabric through which nodes (e.g., computer systems) can be interconnected. In one embodiment, data is transmitted through the interconnect fabric as frames such as those defined by the Fibre Channel and InfiniBand standards. The interconnect fabric module allows the creation of an interconnect fabric that is especially well suited for interconnecting devices utilizing multiple information types such as might be required by the devices of an enterprise data network (“EDN”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020184529
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for using virtual identifiers to route communications through a network to destinations in an appropriate manner is described. The virtual identifiers can each be assigned to one or more paths through a network to a destination, such as by a network manager for the network. An appropriate virtual identifier for routing a data communication can also be identified in various ways, such as by registering the data communication with a network manager for the network and receiving an appropriate virtual identifier in response. A virtual identifier identified for a data communication may also be assigned to a path to one or more destinations that are selected as being appropriate in various ways, including selecting destinations that do not include a destination specified by a source of the communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020181395
    Abstract: Techniques for communicating data through a network so as to satisfy various Quality Of Service (“QOS”) levels are described. The QOS levels may be selected based on a determined type of the data or the data communication, such as by a network manager after the data communication is registered, and QOS communication parameters are selected for the data communication to ensure that the QOS levels are achieved. Other techniques may also be used to ensure that a selected QOS level is achieved, including selecting an appropriate path through the network, controlling other data communications that use some or all of the selected path, and/or enabling preemption of such other data communications. QOS levels that are actually achieved may also be monitored, and the QOS communication parameters and/or path for a data communication may be dynamically modified based on differences between actual achieved QOS levels and desired QOS levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020167902
    Abstract: An interconnect fabric module (“IFM”) with high-speed switching capabilities. An interconnect fabric module can be dynamically configured to interconnect its communications ports so that data can be transmitted through the interconnected ports. Multiple interconnect fabric modules can be connected to form an interconnect fabric through which nodes (e.g., computer systems) can be interconnected. In one embodiment, data is transmitted through the interconnect fabric as frames such as those defined by the Fiber Channel and InfiniBand standards. The interconnect fabric module allows the creation of an interconnect fabric that is especially well suited for interconnecting devices utilizing multiple information types such as might be required by the devices of an enterprise data network (“EDN”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020159437
    Abstract: A method and system for managing an interconnect fabric that connects nodes. A network manager manages an interconnect fabric or network of routing devices (e.g., interconnect fabric modules, switches, or routers) to allow source nodes to transmit data to destination nodes. The network manager receives registration requests from source nodes to send data to destination nodes, configures the routing devices of the network to establish a path from each source node to its destination node, and provides a virtual address to each source node. The virtual address identifies a path from the source node to the destination node. The source node sends the data to its destination node by providing the data along with the virtual address to a routing device of the network. Upon receiving the data and the virtual address, a source-side port of each routing device in the path uses the virtual address to identify a destination-side port through which the data and the virtual address are to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020159456
    Abstract: An interconnect fabric module (“IFM”) with high-speed switching capabilities. An interconnect fabric module can be dynamically configured to interconnect its communications ports so that data can be transmitted through the interconnected ports. Multiple interconnect fabric modules can be connected to form an interconnect fabric through which nodes (e.g., computer systems) can be interconnected. In one embodiment, data is transmitted through the interconnect fabric as frames such as those defined by the Fiber Channel and InfiniBand standards. The interconnect fabric module allows the creation of an interconnect fabric that is especially well suited for interconnecting devices utilizing multiple information types such as might be required by the devices of an enterprise data network (“EDN”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020159451
    Abstract: A method and system for managing an interconnect fabric that connects nodes. A network manager manages an interconnect fabric or network of routing devices (e.g., interconnect fabric modules, switches, or routers) to allow source nodes to transmit data to destination nodes. The network manager receives registration requests from source nodes to send data to destination nodes, configures the routing devices of the network to establish a path from each source node to its destination node, and provides a virtual address to each source node. The virtual address identifies a path from the source node to the destination node. The source node sends the data to its destination node by providing the data along with the virtual address to a routing device of the network. Upon receiving the data and the virtual address, a source-side port of each routing device in the path uses the virtual address to identify a destination-side port through which the data and the virtual address are to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020161923
    Abstract: A method and system for managing an interconnect fabric that connects nodes. A network manager manages an interconnect fabric or network of routing devices (e.g., interconnect fabric modules, switches, or routers) to allow source nodes to transmit data to destination nodes. The network manager receives registration requests from source nodes to send data to destination nodes, configures the routing devices of the network to establish a path from each source node to its destination node, and provides a virtual address to each source node. The virtual address identifies a path from the source node to the destination node. The source node sends the data to its destination node by providing the data along with the virtual address to a routing device of the network. Upon receiving the data and the virtual address, a source-side port of each routing device in the path uses the virtual address to identify a destination-side port through which the data and the virtual address are to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett
  • Publication number: 20020159458
    Abstract: A method and system for managing an interconnect fabric that connects nodes. A network manager manages an interconnect fabric or network of routing devices (e.g., interconnect fabric modules, switches, or routers) to allow source nodes to transmit data to destination nodes. The network manager receives registration requests from source nodes to send data to destination nodes, configures the routing devices of the network to establish a path from each source node to its destination node, and provides a virtual address to each source node. The virtual address identifies a path from the source node to the destination node. The source node sends the data to its destination node by providing the data along with the virtual address to a routing device of the network. Upon receiving the data and the virtual address, a source-side port of each routing device in the path uses the virtual address to identify a destination-side port through which the data and the virtual address are to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Foster, Michael A. Dorsett