Patents by Inventor Michael W. Thomas

Michael W. Thomas 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).

  • Publication number: 20090307137
    Abstract: A system and method for managing health information. The system may include a server configured to execute an account interface module enabling a user to access a user account, wherein a plurality of healthcare record items are stored on a server, via a user client device. The server may also be configured to execute an upload module that is configured to receive a digitally signed, original version of a healthcare record item from a content supplier, and an editor module configured to enable a user to make a user edit, thereby producing an updated version of the healthcare record item. The server may also be configured to execute a provenance module to determine whether the user edit affects the digitally signed data, and accordingly remove or replace the digital signature, and a download module to download the updated version of the healthcare record item to a content recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Cameron White, Michael W. Thomas, Arthur J. O'Leary
  • Publication number: 20090199207
    Abstract: Systems and methods that set priority levels to messaging systems initiated between end points (e.g., two SQL point services) thru service brokers. A priority component can apply priority at a session level to add priority capabilities on top of service brokers, and enable setting priority for all the messages in a session or conversation. Such priority can further affect the order in which messages from different conversations are sent and the order in which they are received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Thomas, Remus Rusanu, Michael Edward Nelson, Rushi Desai
  • Patent number: 7502807
    Abstract: Rich structured data for items in a file system that allows different kinds of data to be identified by metadata is mapped into a set of search properties for a desktop search service, which is a flat list. This is applicable to any rich structured data that should be mapped into search properties for a desktop search service. Included is an installation mechanism to install these mappings and an execution infrastructure for utilizing the generated SQL from the mappings to extract search properties from items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sambavi Muthukrishnan, Srinivasmurthy P. Acharya, Mahadevan Venkatraman, Anurag Gupta, Michael W. Thomas, Joseph Trdinich, Balan Sethu Raman, Sameet H. Argawal, Sanjay Anand, Salome Jacob, Roopali Kaujalgi, Amit Shukla, Maxim Mazeev, Rodger Nickels Kline
  • Patent number: 7480647
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring, gathering and aggregating performance metrics of a plurality of members configured as an entity. Configurable performance metric settings can be set at a first computer (e.g., a first member) and dynamically propagated to all members of the entity to establish performance metric configuration settings at each of the plurality of members. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method log performance metric data periodically at a predefined time period and resolution at a plurality of members for one or more performance metrics. The performance metric data values logged at the predefined time period and resolution are aggregated to data sets of at least one larger time period and resolution. Valid performance data values of similar time periods and resolutions are then gathered from the plurality of members and aggregated over the entity to provide a unified result set for the entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Murstein, Roger W. Sprague, Jr., Alexander M. Sutton, Michael W. Thomas, Giedrius Zizys
  • Patent number: 7401104
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods for the synchronization of two clients both utilizing a common storage platform (e.g., the new storage platform of the related inventions) to synchronize through an intermediary that is not using the same common storage platform (e.g., instead using a legacy storage platform that does not itself support synchronization for the new storage platform). Data is synchronized using the existing capabilities of the intermediary but where the data structure of the clients is preserved. An “adapter” is used to enable a client to interact with an intermediary by compensating for the intermediaries inability to preserve the data structure elements inherent to the client's storage platform. Specific embodiments are directed to either or both upload-syncing data from a client to a intermediary and/or download-syncing data from an intermediary to a client. Certain additional embodiments are further directed to compaction of data on the intermediary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Darshatkumar Shah, Lev Novik, Michael W. Thomas, Nils H. Pohlmann, Okechkwu Chima Echeruo
  • Publication number: 20080126349
    Abstract: An arbitration policy resolves software applications operating on a single unit of data in a manner conflicting with other applications that operates on the same data or properties of the data. This is accomplished through picking an entity type of one application to have priority over an entity type of another application when both entity types map to a same property which caused the conflict. This allows user to observe the data in a consistent manner when switching between applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mahadevan Venkatraman, Sambavi Muthukrishnan, Srinivasmurthy Acharya, Michael W. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080005135
    Abstract: Rich structured data for items in a file system that allows different kinds of data to be identified by metadata is mapped into a set of search properties for a desktop search service, which is a flat list. This is applicable to any rich structured data that should be mapped into search properties for a desktop search service. Included is an installation mechanism to install these mappings and an execution infrastructure for utilizing the generated SQL from the mappings to extract search properties from items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sambavi Muthukrishnan, Srinivasmurthy P. Acharya, Mahadevan Venkatraman, Anurag Gupta, Michael W. Thomas, Joseph Trdinich, Balan Sethu Raman, Sameet H. Agarwal, Sanjay Anand, Salome Jacob, Roopali Kaujalgi, Amit Shukla, Maxim Mazeev, Rodger Nickels Kline
  • Patent number: 7203623
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for gathering and aggregating operational metrics (e.g., performance metrics, process events, health monitor state, server state) for a plurality of members as a single entity and for a plurality of entities as a singular entity. The system and method provides for operational metrics of members and entities to be aggregated and retrieved as a single result set, such that entity wide operational metrics can be acquired, monitored and displayed as a single entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Federico Garcea, Michael S. Murstein, Roger W. Sprague, Alexander M. Sutton, Michael W. Thomas, Giedrius Zizys
  • Patent number: 7111059
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for gathering and aggregating operational metrics (e.g., performance metrics, process events, health monitor state, server state, event metric data, and status metric data) for a plurality of members (e.g., computers, servers, machines) configured as an entity and for a plurality of entities as a singular entity. In one embodiment, the system and method provides for operational metrics of members and entities to be aggregated and retrieved as a single result set, such that entity wide operational metrics can be acquired, monitored and displayed as a single entity. In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of members has a gathering and aggregation system adapted to gather operational metric data from the plurality of members and aggregate the operational metric data into a unified result set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Federico Garcea, Michael S. Murstein, Roger W. Sprague, Alexander M. Sutton, Michael W. Thomas, Giedrius Zizys
  • Patent number: 7043566
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring events of a plurality of members configured as an entity. Configurable event logging settings can be defined at a first member and dynamically propagated to each member of the entity to establish event logging configuration settings at each of the plurality of members. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method log different event types in accordance with configuration settings into a common event type data format at a plurality of members. The different event types can then be coalesced for the entire entity and returned to a requestor residing at a single location. Additionally, a unique identifier can be assigned to assist in monitoring of events. Also, to assist in monitoring, data that is common to all event types can be stored in a separate table from data specific to an event type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Grant, Michael S. Murstein, Alexander M. Sutton, Michael W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6993454
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring, gathering and aggregating performance metrics of a plurality of members configured as an entity. Configurable performance metric settings can be set at a first computer (e.g., a first member) and dynamically propagated to all members of the entity to establish performance metric configuration settings at each of the plurality of members. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method log performance metric data periodically at a predefined time period and resolution at a plurality of members for one or more performance metrics. The performance metric data values logged at the predefined time period and resolution are aggregated to data sets of at least one larger time period and resolution. Valid performance data values of similar time periods and resolutions are then gathered from the plurality of members and aggregated over the entity to provide a unified result set for the entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Murstein, Roger W. Sprague, Jr., Alexander M. Sutton, Michael W. Thomas, Giedrius Zizys
  • Patent number: 6981267
    Abstract: A system for parallel asynchronous command execution is provided. The system includes a first computer system for directing a plurality of calls to at least one other computer system. The first computer system invokes a remote procedure in the other computer system and receives results from the procedure via an event triggered by the other computer system. The system may also include a distributed object architecture for communicating between the first computer system and the other computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander E. Mallet, Justin Grant, Michael W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6961681
    Abstract: A virtual applications architecture is provided according to the present invention. The architecture includes a topology manager for managing applications across a plurality of members, and a virtual applications manager for defining a plurality of resources comprising the applications. The topology manager communicates with the plurality of members to initiate scaling of the applications associated with the virtual applications manager to the members. The architecture may also include a replication system for deploying the applications to the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Choquier, Quentin J. Clark, William D. Devlin, Lara N. Dillingham, Cameron J. A. Ferroni, Justin Grant, Rodney T. Limprecht, John F. Ludeman, Alexander E. Mallet, Boyd C. Multerer, Martin J. Sleeman, Michael W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6915344
    Abstract: A network test system utilizes known good responses when testing responses from in-test servers. In one embodiment, the test system includes a verification server that is known to provide correct responses. In-test servers are subjected to very high rates of requests, and the responses are compared to responses from the verification server. Hash values are optionally used to represent the correct responses, and are compared to similar hash values produced from the actual responses of the in-test servers. Dynamic data is accommodated by basing the hash values on only the static portions of responses. Alternatively, dynamic data is accommodated by using search patterns—when receiving an actual response from an in-test server, the response is searched for the specified search pattern. The response is deemed to be incorrect if the search pattern does not occur. Wildcards and other variable elements are used in the search patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michelle M. Rowe, Matthew C. Odhner, Michael W. Thomas, Boyd C. Multerer, Tom A. Cox, Eric W. Nace
  • Patent number: 6789046
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring, gathering and aggregating performance metrics of a plurality of members configured as an entity. Configurable performance metric settings can be set at a first computer (e.g., a first member) and dynamically propagated to all members of the entity to establish performance metric configuration settings at each of the plurality of members. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method log performance metric data periodically at a predefined time period and resolution at a plurality of members for one or more performance metrics. The performance metric data values logged at the predefined time period and resolution are aggregated to data sets of at least one larger time period and resolution. Valid performance data values of similar time periods and resolutions are then gathered from the plurality of members and aggregated over the entity to provide a unified result set for the entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Murstein, Roger W. Sprague, Jr., Alexander M. Sutton, Michael W. Thomas, Giedrius Zizys
  • Patent number: 6061692
    Abstract: An information server adapted to service requests for information has an integral database containing configuration information, application information, and/or content information. The information in the database is stored in a hierarchical fashion with elements that correspond, in some degree, with physical storage structure or individual information objects on the information server. Path names received in information requests are broken into constituent components and are used to retrieve configuration information, application information, and/or content information from the database and information objects from physical storage. In the database properties stored at one hierarchical level may be inherited by lower hierarchical levels. The database is preferably provided with a programmatic interface that allows concurrent access to and administration of the database. Mechanisms to notify registered users of changes or events that occur with respect to the database are implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Thomas, James E. Allard, Michael Howard, Sophia Chung, Cameron Ferroni, Douglas C. Henbenthal, John Ludeman, Kim Stebbens, Henry L. Sanders, II, David R. Treadwell, III
  • Patent number: 5509009
    Abstract: A dial-up aural and visual communication system includes a telecommunication network with a switch connected thereto, a codec subsystem connected to the switch and video equipment connected to the switch via the codec subsystem with voice communication equipment connected directly to the switch. The codec subsystem is shared between several end users and can be located near the switch. Sharing the codec reduces cost and amount of equipment at end users desk. The codec subsystem can also switch video, including composite video, between local lines and can include frame and image storage. The codec can transmit at 9.6 kbps, p.times.64 kbps, and via ISDN. The system can be used for video conferencing, remote surveillance or desk-top services, and can include an image grooming system. Images may be stored in switch facilities traditionally used for voice mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: John Laycock, Michael W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5394547
    Abstract: An improved data processing system and operating system having a selectable scheduler. An operating system kernel is provided having a standardized interface for permitting the installation of a selected one of multiple diverse schedulers for use in different environments. System resources which may include memory, input/output devices and file systems are thereafter optimally allocated for a selected set of applications and a particular environment within the data processing system by permitting a user to install a selected one of the multiple schedulers which directly controls allocation of processor time, thereby indirectly allocating system resources. The standardized interface within the operating system kernel is preferably provided utilizing a kernel extension mechanism and installation of a selected one of the multiple schedulers may occur automatically, in response to system initialization, or may be selectively achieved during operation of the data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Correnti, Ralph M. Pipitone, Michael W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4654806
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based transformer monitoring system to provide continuous on-line monitoring and analysis of transformer operation. The transformer monitoring system periodically monitors various parameters related to transformer load and condition. Maximum, minimum, and instantaneous values of the parameters are stored and analzyed. To perform the analysis, a hierarchy of thresholds is associated with each parameter. When a parameter exceeds any one of the thresholds, a response is produced by the transformer monitoring system. The type of response depends on the level of the exceeded threshold in the hierarchy. The range of response produced by the transformer monitoring system includes: continuing normal periodic data collection and analysis, increasing the rate of data collection and analysis, recommending an on-site physical check of the monitored transformer, reducing transformer load, and taking the transformer off line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Poyser, Randall N. Avery, John W. Bankoske, John D. Borst, Clive W. Kimblin, Albert H. Maxwell, David W. McElroy, Charles A. Peterson, Joseph R. Rostron, David R. Smith, William H. South, Michael W. Thomas
  • Patent number: D286357
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventors: Michael W. Thomas, Patricia J. Thomas