Patents by Inventor Randall E. Aull
Randall E. Aull 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: 8504739Abstract: In embodiments of extensions for USB driver interface functions, a set of USB driver interfaces are exposed by a USB core driver stack, and the USB driver interfaces include USB driver interface functions to interface with USB client function drivers that correspond to client USB devices. A composite device driver registers itself and requests a function handle for each function of a client USB device. The USB client function drivers are enumerated and the function handles generated for each function of the client USB device. A check first protocol is enforced that directs a USB client function driver to check for availability of a USB driver interface function before interfacing with the USB core driver stack via the USB driver interfaces. A contract version identifier is received that indicates a set of operation rules by which a USB client function driver interfaces with the USB core driver stack.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Mukund Sankaranarayan
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Patent number: 8441233Abstract: An automated power reporting system is provided in one aspect. The system includes one or more devices that can report or transmit power status information over a bus or network. A protocol component utilizes a generalized protocol to process or convert the power status information over the network in order to facilitate power management operations for a plurality of devices. In this manner, devices that send power information can interact and exploit personal computing resources in order to better help users manage limited power resources for their respective devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Randall E. Aull
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Patent number: 8380130Abstract: Various embodiments relate to systems and methods that facilitate wireless device communications and configuration. A detection component identifies N devices that are coupled together via a biological medium, N being an integer, wherein the medium includes direct or indirect touching to a device or devices. After biological contact, a configuration component initiates a configuration between a subset of the devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew C. Glass, Christopher M. Dreher, Ellick H. Sung, Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Craig S. Ranta
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Patent number: 8365201Abstract: A computer system that recognizes multi-function devices and associates functions with multi-function devices. Each multi-function device may be represented by a multi-function object, allowing tools, applications or other components within the computer to take actions relating to the entire device or relating to a function based on the association of that function with other functions in the same device. These actions include displaying information about devices, instead of or in addition to information about functions. Actions also include selecting functions based on proximity within a device. Functions may be associated with a multi-function device using a unique device identifier provided by the device or generated for the function based on a connection hierarchy between functions and the computer. Devices may be configured to provide the same identifier regardless of the transport over which the device is accessed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Doron J. Holan, Randall E. Aull, Narayanan Ganapathy, James G. Cavalaris, Esaias E. Greeff, Douglas K. Brubacher
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Patent number: 8347319Abstract: Multi-function devices expose multiple functions to device drivers or other lower-level software. Device function providers can interface with such drivers or lower-level software and can provide information, including device identifiers regarding such functions, to a device display object infrastructure. A device display object can then be created that encompasses one or more functions such that, in one embodiment, the device display object corresponds to a single, physical multi-function device. Alternatively, any combination of functionality from one or more physical devices can be combined into a single device display object representing a virtual multi-function device. Properties of the device display object can be set with reference to user-specified settings, remotely maintained metadata, locally available metadata, and information associated with each function.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Esaias Engelbertus Greeff, Douglas K. Brubacher, Narayanan Ganapathy, Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Neil Sandlin, James G. Cavalaris
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Publication number: 20120246493Abstract: An automated power reporting system is provided in one aspect. The system includes one or more devices that can report or transmit power status information over a bus or network. A protocol component utilizes a generalized protocol to process or convert the power status information over the network in order to facilitate power management operations for a plurality of devices. In this manner, devices that send power information can interact and exploit personal computing resources in order to better help users manage limited power resources for their respective devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Randall E. Aull
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Publication number: 20120246377Abstract: In embodiments of HID over simple peripheral buses, a peripheral sensor receives inputs from a peripheral device, and the peripheral sensor implements an HID SPB interface to interface the peripheral device with a computing system via a simple peripheral bus (SPB) in an HID data format. The peripheral sensor can also receive extensibility data for a proprietary function of the peripheral device, and communicate the inputs from the peripheral device and the extensibility data via the simple peripheral bus in the computing system. Alternatively or in addition, a peripheral sensor can generate sensor data and the HID SPB interface interfaces the peripheral sensor with the computing system via the simple peripheral bus. The peripheral sensor can then communicate the sensor data as well as extensibility data for a proprietary function of the peripheral sensor via the simple peripheral bus in the HID data format to the computing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Arvind R. Aiyar, Randall E. Aull, David Abzarian
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Patent number: 8266362Abstract: Device connection routing for controllers is provided. A computing device is configured with multiple controllers that provide connections for peripheral devices. The controllers enable the peripheral devices to interact with the computing device through a bus. Each device connection is routed to one of the multiple controllers based on one or more pre-determined factors. These factors may include load-balancing, power saving, quality of service, data flow requirements, and the like. Device connection routing may be dynamically managed to respond to changing states of the peripheral devices and the controllers. The device connection routing may be performed for controllers associated with any type of wired or wireless buses, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394, Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO), and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Glen T. Slick, Randall E. Aull, Mark E. Maszak
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Publication number: 20120221751Abstract: In embodiments of extensions for USB driver interface functions, a set of USB driver interfaces are exposed by a USB core driver stack, and the USB driver interfaces include USB driver interface functions to interface with USB client function drivers that correspond to client USB devices. A composite device driver registers itself and requests a function handle for each function of a client USB device. The USB client function drivers are enumerated and the function handles generated for each function of the client USB device. A check first protocol is enforced that directs a USB client function driver to check for availability of a USB driver interface function before interfacing with the USB core driver stack via the USB driver interfaces. A contract version identifier is received that indicates a set of operation rules by which a USB client function driver interfaces with the USB core driver stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Mukund Sankaranarayan
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Patent number: 8200853Abstract: Extensions for USB driver interface functions are described. In embodiments, input/output of computer instructions and data exchange is managed in a USB core driver stack. A set of USB driver interfaces are exposed by the USB core driver stack, and the USB driver interfaces include USB driver interface functions that interface with USB client function drivers that correspond to client USB devices. Extensions for the USB driver interface functions are also exposed by the USB core driver stack to interface with the USB client function drivers.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Mukund Sankaranarayan
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Publication number: 20120079258Abstract: This document describes techniques for detecting state loss on a device. These techniques permit a computer connected to a device to forgo, in many cases, reinitializing the device when returning to a normal-power mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Janet L. Schneider, Doron J. Holan, Randall E. Aull
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Publication number: 20110319019Abstract: Various embodiments relate to systems and methods that facilitate wireless device communications and configuration. A detection component identifies N devices that are coupled together via a biological medium, N being an integer, wherein the medium includes direct or indirect touching to a device or devices. After biological contact, a configuration component initiates a configuration between a subset of the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew C. Glass, Christopher M. Dreher, Ellick H. Sung, Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Craig S. Ranta
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Patent number: 8036595Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate wireless device communications and configuration. A detection component identifies N devices that are coupled together via a biological medium, N being an integer, wherein the medium includes direct or indirect touching to a device or devices. After biological contact, a configuration component initiates a configuration between a subset of the devices. Although configurations and/or other communications can be conducted through a medium such as the human body, the present invention can employ an initial touch to identify respective devices whereby other electronic configuration sequences commence without further device contact. Other aspects include chain touching between users and/or devices to facilitate contact between the devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew C. Glass, Christopher M. Dreher, Ellick H. Sung, Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Craig S. Ranta
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Publication number: 20110231539Abstract: Device connection routing for controllers is provided. A computing device is configured with multiple controllers that provide connections for peripheral devices. The controllers enable the peripheral devices to interact with the computing device through a bus. Each device connection is routed to one of the multiple controllers based on one or more pre-determined factors. These factors may include load-balancing, power saving, quality of service, data flow requirements, and the like. Device connection routing may be dynamically managed to respond to changing states of the peripheral devices and the controllers. The device connection routing may be performed for controllers associated with any type of wired or wireless buses, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394, Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO), and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Glen T. Slick, Randall E. Aull, Mark E. Maszak
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Patent number: 7983686Abstract: A centralized wireless resource manager is leveraged to facilitate in reconciling communication conflicts between wireless devices that interact with a computing device and/or reconciling communication conflicts between a wireless device and a locale of a computing device interacting with the wireless devices. One instance allows dynamic reconciliation of a wireless device based, at least in part, on the wireless device's hardware supported communication parameters and/or its currently utilized communication parameters and the like. Another instance provides dynamic communication adjustments based, at least in part, on a locale of a computing device. This facilitates in adjusting communication frequencies based on, at least in part, local laws and regulations and the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Randall E. Aull
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Patent number: 7984228Abstract: Device connection routing for controllers is provided. A computing device is configured with multiple controllers that provide connections for peripheral devices. The controllers enable the peripheral devices to interact with the computing device through a bus. Each device connection is routed to one of the multiple controllers based on one or more pre-determined factors. These factors may include load-balancing, power saving, quality of service, data flow requirements, and the like. Device connection routing may be dynamically managed to respond to changing states of the peripheral devices and the controllers. The device connection routing may be performed for controllers associated with any type of wired or wireless buses, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394, Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO), and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Glen T. Slick, Randall E. Aull, Mark E. Maszak
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Publication number: 20110173351Abstract: Extensions for USB driver interface functions are described. In embodiments, input/output of computer instructions and data exchange is managed in a USB core driver stack. A set of USB driver interfaces are exposed by the USB core driver stack, and the USB driver interfaces include USB driver interface functions that interface with USB client function drivers that correspond to client USB devices. Extensions for the USB driver interface functions are also exposed by the USB core driver stack to interface with the USB client function drivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Mukund Sankaranarayan
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Patent number: 7870305Abstract: A first connection is established between a first device and a host, wherein the first device is host-capable. A second connection is established between a second device and the host. Proxy association is performed between the first device and the second device by the host to associate the first and second devices, wherein the first and second devices are unable to directly associate, wherein the host passes association information between the first and second devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Mark E. Maszak, Randall E. Aull, Firdosh K. Bhesania, Poovanpilli G. Madhavan
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Patent number: 7822983Abstract: A system and/or method that facilitates the installation and/or authentication of a device by invoking installation protocols and/or authentication protocols for a non-physical connection. A physical interface component provides a physical connection between at least one wireless device and at least one network entity in which the installation protocols and/or authentication protocols can be exchanged. The physical interface component can utilize a token key to establish multiple non-physical connections with multiple wireless devices. Additionally, the physical interface component can utilize a daisy chain scheme to install and/or authenticate a wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Randall E. Aull, Bernard J. Thompson
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Patent number: 7802022Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide generic USB drivers. More particularly, a generic USB device driver architecture is described which enables development through a user-mode USB library that accesses a generic kernel-mode driver. In a described implementation, a method includes loading a kernel-mode generic device driver in response to a plug-in event of a device. A user software component accesses the device by utilizing routines provided by the generic user-mode library (e.g., a dynamic link library (DLL)) that communicates with the generic device driver.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Firdosh K. Bhesania, Randall E. Aull