Patents by Inventor Neal Robert Christiansen
Neal Robert Christiansen 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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Publication number: 20240078181Abstract: The described technologies enable a computing device to allocate at least a portion of its persistent memory as volatile memory during runtime. At least some implementations create a file in the persistent memory of the computing device. The file is created in the persistent memory of the computing device during runtime of a virtual machine (VM) hosted by the computing device. The file may be allocated to the VM. The file allocated to the VM may be used as volatile memory. For example, the VM may use the file to store temporary data (e.g., volatile data). In some implementations, the temporary data is associated with an application executing in the VM.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Scott Chao-Chueh LEE
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Patent number: 11789870Abstract: The described technologies enable a computing device to allocate at least a portion of its persistent memory as volatile memory during runtime. At least some implementations create a file in the persistent memory of the computing device. The file is created in the persistent memory of the computing device during runtime of a virtual machine (VM) hosted by the computing device. The file may be allocated to the VM. The file allocated to the VM may be used as volatile memory. For example, the VM may use the file to store temporary data (e.g., volatile data). In some implementations, the temporary data is associated with an application executing in the VM.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Neal Robert Christiansen, Scott Chao-Chueh Lee
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Publication number: 20230177009Abstract: Described herein are technologies that provide an element of security related to file system operations. Individual nodes in a file system, such as a directory or a file, can be associated with information that describes how to handle letter case when a file name included in a file system operation request is used to locate a file in the file system. For example, a case sensitive designation associated with a directory can require a case sensitive match between a file name included in a request and a file name included in the directory, in order to perform the requested file system operation. In another example, a case preferring designation associated with a directory first checks for a case sensitive match between file names. If a case sensitive match does not exist, then a case insensitive match between the file names can be used to perform the requested file system operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Chandra Kumar Konamki VIJAYAMUNEESWARALU, Craig Ashley BARKHOUSE, Sven GROOT, John Andrew STARKS
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Patent number: 11537561Abstract: Described herein are technologies that provide an element of security related to file system operations. Individual nodes in a file system, such as a directory or a file, can be associated with information that describes how to handle letter case when a file name included in a file system operation request is used to locate a file in the file system. For example, a case sensitive designation associated with a directory can require a case sensitive match between a file name included in a request and a file name included in the directory, in order to perform the requested file system operation. In another example, a case preferring designation associated with a directory first checks for a case sensitive match between file names. If a case sensitive match does not exist, then a case insensitive match between the file names can be used to perform the requested file system operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Neal Robert Christiansen, Chandra Kumar Konamki Vijayamuneeswaralu, Craig Ashley Barkhouse, Sven Groot, John Andrew Starks
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Patent number: 11526362Abstract: A computing device saves storage space by foregoing writing the payloads for batches of feature files to local storage and then automatically downloading payloads for individual batches of feature files as associated features are called upon. In various embodiments, an operating system (OS) that includes both frequently used and infrequently used features is executing on the computing device. Batches of feature files for the frequently used features of the OS may be hydrated on the computing device whereas batches of feature files for the infrequently used features of the OS may be left dehydrated on the computing device. When an infrequently used feature is requested, the computing device automatically downloads a corresponding batch of feature files. Then, the computing device may fulfill the request by implementing the infrequently used feature. Thus, predetermined batches of feature files remain immediately accessible at the computing device without consuming storage space unless called upon.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Neal Robert Christiansen, Yanran Hao, Mingbiao Fei, Vinod Reddy Chavva, Aniket Krishnat Naravanekar
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Patent number: 11029932Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing applications. Responsive to receiving a request for access to a first application, metadata is retrieved that is written to the local drive of the computing device. Responsive to the metadata indicating that the first application is not written to the local drive of the computing device, a download request is transmitted to an application provider. A download package for application is received that includes one or more application files that are operable to execute the application when stored on the computing device without executing an installation process.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Aniket Krishnat Naravanekar, Yanran Hao, Neal Robert Christiansen, Ping Xie
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Patent number: 10936441Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein improve performance of file system logging by writing log data to persistent memory instead of staging in RAM before writing to disk. In one embodiment, while the log is being written, checksums are inserted, such that during recovery, the checksums can be used to distinguish good log pages from bad log pages. In this way, good log pages can be evaluated to determine whether to roll a portion of a file system transaction forward, backward, or do nothing, while bad log pages can be safely ignored. Additionally or alternatively, non-temporal copies are employed when writing data to persistent memory, thereby reducing an amount of time log data is exposed to be lost in a crash.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Neal Robert Christiansen, Atul Pankaj Talesara
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Publication number: 20210055938Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing applications. Responsive to receiving a request for access to a first application, metadata is retrieved that is written to the virtual machine. Responsive to the metadata indicating that the first application is not written to the virtual machine, a download request is transmitted to a remote host. A download package for application is received that includes one or more application files that are operable to execute the application when stored at the virtual machine without executing an installation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Aniket Krishnat NARAVANEKAR, Yanran HAO, Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Ping XIE
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Publication number: 20210055922Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing applications. Responsive to receiving a request for access to a first application, metadata is retrieved that is written to the local drive of the computing device. Responsive to the metadata indicating that the first application is not written to the local drive of the computing device, a download request is transmitted to an application provider. A download package for application is received that includes one or more application files that are operable to execute the application when stored on the computing device without executing an installation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Aniket Krishnat NARAVANEKAR, Yanran HAO, Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Ping XIE
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Patent number: 10929350Abstract: A system to enable a user to generate copies of files at a client device and to cause a file hosting platform to generate backups of these copies in a cloud database without transferring file content data for these files between the client device and the cloud database. When a user copies a file from a first folder on a client device to a second folder on the client device, the system may determine that the file content data for this file is already present in the cloud database. Then, rather than uploading the file content data to the cloud database from the client device, the system may cause a file hosting platform to access the file content data directly from the cloud database to perform a file copy operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Neal Robert Christiansen, Ping Xie, Trevor Van Leeuwen, Jack Allen Nichols, Brian David Jones
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Publication number: 20200379777Abstract: A computing device saves storage space by foregoing writing the payloads for batches of feature files to local storage and then automatically downloading payloads for individual batches of feature files as associated features are called upon. In various embodiments, an operating system (OS) that includes both frequently used and infrequently used features is executing on the computing device. Batches of feature files for the frequently used features of the OS may be hydrated on the computing device whereas batches of feature files for the infrequently used features of the OS may be left dehydrated on the computing device. When an infrequently used feature is requested, the computing device automatically downloads a corresponding batch of feature files. Then, the computing device may fulfill the request by implementing the infrequently used feature. Thus, predetermined batches of feature files remain immediately accessible at the computing device without consuming storage space unless called upon.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Yanran HAO, Mingbiao FEI, Vinod Reddy CHAVVA, Aniket Krishnat NARAVANEKAR
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Publication number: 20200371936Abstract: The described technologies enable a computing device to allocate at least a portion of its persistent memory as volatile memory during runtime. At least some implementations create a file in the persistent memory of the computing device. The file is created in the persistent memory of the computing device during runtime of a virtual machine (VM) hosted by the computing device. The file may be allocated to the VM. The file allocated to the VM may be used as volatile memory. For example, the VM may use the file to store temporary data (e.g., volatile data). In some implementations, the temporary data is associated with an application executing in the VM.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Scott Chao-Chueh LEE
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Patent number: 10762054Abstract: Determination logic for a cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. Determination logic for the framework is utilized to make state determinations in dependence upon a defined set of file sync properties. The framework operates to make assessments of the file sync properties and set states for files in accordance with the assessments. In implementations, file sync properties are related to corresponding states through a mapping data structure that maps file sync property values to different states and enables look-ups of states based on property values. The framework utilizes and references the mapping data structure to match file sync properties identified for cloud content files to corresponding states and then set states for the cloud content files accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Raju Jain, Michael John Novak, Tyler Kien Beam, Neal Robert Christiansen, Robert Paul St. Pierre, Craig Ashley Barkhouse, Ping Xie, Srinivasan Malayala, Anshul Rawat, Sripresanna Sripresanna, Mohammed Amirali Samji, David Ben Perry
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Publication number: 20190347027Abstract: A computing device has a tiered storage with at least two types of storage classes which further comprise storage tiers. A file system is instantiated that is configured to allocate storage implemented as a plurality of storage classes, the storage classes each corresponding to a set of storage tiers having performance and capacity characteristics. A content item is pinned with a first one of the storage classes. Storage in a storage tier is allocated to the content item in accordance with the pinned first storage class.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Karan MEHRA, Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Andrew HERRON
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Publication number: 20190332370Abstract: In a computing device, a first amount of system storage of a computing device is reserved for system update tasks. The first amount is indicated as reserved for system updates and unavailable for access by user applications. The first amount of system storage is then used for installing one or more system updates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Craig Ashley BARKHOUSE, Ping LONG, Ravisankar V. PUDIPEDDI
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Publication number: 20190188279Abstract: Described herein are technologies that provide an element of security related to file system operations. Individual nodes in a file system, such as a directory or a file, can be associated with information that describes how to handle letter case when a file name included in a file system operation request is used to locate a file in the file system. For example, a case sensitive designation associated with a directory can require a case sensitive match between a file name included in a request and a file name included in the directory, in order to perform the requested file system operation. In another example, a case preferring designation associated with a directory first checks for a case sensitive match between file names. If a case sensitive match does not exist, then a case insensitive match between the file names can be used to perform the requested file system operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Chandra Kumar Konamki VIJAYAMUNEESWARALU, Craig Ashley BARKHOUSE, Sven GROOT, John Andrew STARKS
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Publication number: 20190188091Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein improve performance of file system logging by writing log data to persistent memory instead of staging in RAM before writing to disk. In one embodiment, while the log is being written, checksums are inserted, such that during recovery, the checksums can be used to distinguish good log pages from bad log pages. In this way, good log pages can be evaluated to determine whether to roll a portion of a file system transaction forward, backward, or do nothing, while bad log pages can be safely ignored. Additionally or alternatively, non-temporal copies are employed when writing data to persistent memory, thereby reducing an amount of time log data is exposed to be lost in a crash.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Atul Pankaj TALESARA
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Publication number: 20190171729Abstract: A system to enable a user to generate copies of files at a client device and to cause a file hosting platform to generate backups of these copies in a cloud database without transferring file content data for these files between the client device and the cloud database. When a user copies a file from a first folder on a client device to a second folder on the client device, the system may determine that the file content data for this file is already present in the cloud database. Then, rather than uploading the file content data to the cloud database from the client device, the system may cause a file hosting platform to access the file content data directly from the cloud database to perform a file copy operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Neal Robert CHRISTIANSEN, Ping Xie, Trevor Van Leeuwen, Jack Allen Nichols, Brian David Jones
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Publication number: 20180025021Abstract: Determination logic for a cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. Determination logic for the framework is utilized to make state determinations in dependence upon a defined set of file sync properties. The framework operates to make assessments of the file sync properties and set states for files in accordance with the assessments. In implementations, file sync properties are related to corresponding states through a mapping data structure that maps file sync property values to different states and enables look-ups of states based on property values. The framework utilizes and references the mapping data structure to match file sync properties identified for cloud content files to corresponding states and then set states for the cloud content files accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Raju Jain, Michael John Novak, Tyler Kien Beam, Neal Robert Christiansen, Robert Paul St. Pierre, Craig Ashley Barkhouse, Ping Xie, Srinivasan Malayala, Anshul Rawat, Sripresanna Sripresanna, Mohammed Amirali Samji, David Ben Perry
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Patent number: 9524300Abstract: A system in which a file system may operate on a volume in which the logical address extent of the volume is divided into multiple tiers, each tier providing storage having a distinct trait set by mapping the logical addresses of the volume to appropriate underlying storage systems. A volume system exposes the volume to the file system in a manner that the file system itself has awareness of the tiers, and is aware of the trait sets of each tier. The file system may thus store file system namespaces (such as directories and files) into the tiers as appropriate for the file system namespace. A provisioning system may also be provided and be configured to provision the volume to include such tiers, and if desired, to extend the tiers.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Shiv Rajpal, Juan-Lee Pang, Sarosh Cyrus Havewala, Surendra Verma, Karan Mehra, Bryan Stephen Matthew, Neal Robert Christiansen, Andrew Herron