Patents by Inventor Richard D. Beckert
Richard D. Beckert 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: 11012593Abstract: A fault tolerant display displays safety information on a display shared with an infotainment system even if the processor or software of the infotainment system is unresponsive. The display can be a streaming video from a rear view camera mounted on a vehicle. The safety displayed can be triggered by placing the vehicle in reverse. Failure of the infotainment software and/or processor can be detected by a policy enforcing module that switches to a backup display that streams video directly from the camera in the event of failure of the infotainment processor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Phillip G. Hays, Steven P. Maillet, Andrew W. Lovitt
-
Publication number: 20180295261Abstract: A fault tolerant display displays safety information on a display shared with an infotainment system even if the processor or software of the infotainment system is unresponsive. The display can be a streaming video from a rear view camera mounted on a vehicle. The safety displayed can be triggered by placing the vehicle in reverse. Failure of the infotainment software and/or processor can be detected by a policy enforcing module that switches to a backup display that streams video directly from the camera in the event of failure of the infotainment processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Phillip G. Hays, Steven P. Maillet, Andrew W. Lovitt
-
Publication number: 20140125802Abstract: A fault tolerant display displays safety information on a display shared with an infotainment system even if the processor or software of the infotainment system is unresponsive. The display can be a streaming video from a rear view camera mounted on a vehicle. The safety displayed can be triggered by placing the vehicle in reverse. Failure of the infotainment software and/or processor can be detected by a policy enforcing module that switches to a backup display that streams video directly from the camera in the event of failure of the infotainment processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Phillip G. Hays, Steven P. Maillet, Andrew W. Lovitt
-
Patent number: 8065026Abstract: A vehicle computer system has an audio entertainment system implemented in a logic unit and audio digital signal processor (DSP) independent from the host CPU. The audio entertainment system employs a set of ping/pong buffers and direct memory access (DMA) circuits to transfer data between different audio devices. Audio data is exchanged using a mapping overlay technique, in which the DMA circuits for two audio devices read and write to the same memory buffer. The computer system provides an audio manager API (application program interface) to enable applications running on the computer to control the various audio sources without knowing the hardware and implementation details of the underlying sound system. Different audio devices and their drivers control different functionality of the audio system, such as equalization, volume controls and surround sound decoding. The audio manager API transfers calls made by the applications to the appropriate device driver(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
-
Patent number: 8001290Abstract: A vehicle computer system has an audio entertainment system implemented in a logic unit and audio digital signal processor (DSP) independent from the host CPU. The audio entertainment system employs a set of ping/pong buffers and direct memory access (DMA) circuits to transfer data between different audio devices. Audio data is exchanged using a mapping overlay technique, in which the DMA circuits for two audio devices read and write to the same memory buffer. The computer system provides an audio manager API (application program interface) to enable applications running on the computer to control the various audio sources without knowing the hardware and implementation details of the underlying sound system. Different audio devices and their drivers control different functionality of the audio system, such as equalization, volume controls and surround sound decoding. The audio manager API transfers calls made by the applications to the appropriate device driver(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
-
Publication number: 20090228615Abstract: A vehicle computer system has an audio entertainment system implemented in a logic unit and audio digital signal processor (DSP) independent from the host CPU. The audio entertainment system employs a set of ping/pong buffers and direct memory access (DMA) circuits to transfer data between different audio devices. Audio data is exchanged using a mapping overlay technique, in which the DMA circuits for two audio devices read and write to the same memory buffer. The computer system provides an audio manager API (application program interface) to enable applications running on the computer to control the various audio sources without knowing the hardware and implementation details of the underlying sound system. Different audio devices and their drivers control different functionality of the audio system, such as equalization, volume controls and surround sound decoding. The audio manager API transfers calls made by the applications to the appropriate device driver(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
-
Patent number: 7433974Abstract: A vehicle computer system has an audio entertainment system implemented in a logic unit and audio digital signal processor (DSP) independent from the host CPU. The audio entertainment system employs a set of ping/pong buffers and direct memory access (DMA) circuits to transfer data between different audio devices. Audio data is exchanged using a mapping overlay technique, in which the DMA circuits for two audio devices read and write to the same memory buffer. The computer system provides an audio manager API (application program interface) to enable applications running on the computer to control the various audio sources without knowing the hardware and implementation details of the underlying sound system. Different audio devices and their drivers control different functionality of the audio system, such as equalization, volume controls and surround sound decoding. The audio manager API transfers calls made by the applications to the appropriate device driver(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
-
Patent number: 7296258Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data, e.g. the object store, can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Circuitry is provided to ensure that the SRAM receives back up power from the battery at appropriate times. Software manages the SRAM and the other storage assembly components and makes use of virtual paging or virtual addressing techniques to keep track of where various pages, including object store pages, are stored in the system. The software knows where all of the object store pages are located so that in the event of a power loss, the page locations are known and hence the pages can be used when power is restored.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
-
Patent number: 7254083Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data, e.g. the object store, can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Circuitry is provided to ensure that the SRAM receives back up power from the battery at appropriate times. Software manages the SRAM and the other storage assembly components and makes use of virtual paging or virtual addressing techniques to keep track of where various pages, including object store pages, are stored in the system. The software knows where all of the object store pages are located so that in the event of a power loss, the page locations are known and hence the pages can be used when power is restored.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
-
Patent number: 7210014Abstract: An exemplary system includes a microprocessor executing an operating system, a memory, a bus connecting the microprocessor to the memory, and a memory protection module controlling access to the memory independent of the microprocessor. Access to the memory may be based on a combination of an address, data, and memory control signals received from the microprocessor. A method includes, independent of the microprocessor executing an operating system, controlling access to a system memory based on a combination of signals received from the microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sharon Drasnin, Edward J Lansinger, Richard D. Beckert
-
Patent number: 7085710Abstract: A vehicle computer system has an audio entertainment system implemented in a logic unit and audio digital signal processor (DSP) independent from the host CPU. The audio entertainment system employs a set of ping/pong buffers and direct memory access (DMA) circuits to transfer data between different audio devices. Audio data is exchanged using a mapping overlay technique, in which the DMA circuits for two audio devices read and write to the same memory buffer. The computer system provides an audio manager API (application program interface) to enable applications running on the computer to control the various audio sources without knowing the hardware and implementation details of the underlying sound system. Different audio devices and their drivers control different functionality of the audio system, such as equalization, volume controls and surround sound decoding. The audio manager API transfers calls made by the applications to the appropriate device driver(s).Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
-
Patent number: 7051160Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, an automotive computing device is provided having a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and SRAM. An object store is provided for the computing device in the non-volatile memory. One or more pages from the object store are maintained in the SRAM.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
-
Patent number: 7043613Abstract: A method for facilitating fast start-up/shut-down of a computing device having a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and SRAM is described. In one embodiment, an object store for the computing device is provided in the non-volatile memory. A fast lossless shut-down of the computing device may be accomplished by periodically writing data from the object store to a non-volatile medium during operation of the computing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
-
Publication number: 20040221142Abstract: Methods and systems for operating automotive computing devices are described. In one embodiment, a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) is incorporated into an automotive computing device. The SRAM is battery-backed to provide a non-volatile memory space in which critical data, e.g. the object store, can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Circuitry is provided to ensure that the SRAM receives back up power from the battery at appropriate times. Software manages the SRAM and the other storage assembly components and makes use of virtual paging or virtual addressing techniques to keep track of where various pages, including object store pages, are stored in the system. The software knows where all of the object store pages are located so that in the event of a power loss, the page locations are known and hence the pages can be used when power is restored.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
-
Patent number: 6499078Abstract: A hardware-implemented interrupt handler external to a processor handles interrupts destined for the processor. The interrupt handler has a programmable prioritized interrupt array with programmable registers that identify priority levels and handling processes for handling one or more interrupts. The interrupt handler also has an interrupt scanning state machine that scans the prioritized interrupt following receipt of an interrupt to extract the priority level and handling process associated with the interrupt. The interrupt handler is designed to handle interrupts in significantly less time than software implementations, thereby making the handler favorable for real time systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Patrick Mullarky
-
Publication number: 20010001319Abstract: A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate location. A computer is mounted within the housing and executes an open platform, multi-tasking operating system. The computer runs multiple applications on the operating system, including both vehicle-related applications (e.g., vehicle security application, vehicle diagnostics application, communications application, etc.) and non-vehicle-related applications (e.g., entertainment application, word processing, etc.). The applications may be supplied by the vehicle manufacturer and/or by the vehicle user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2000Publication date: May 17, 2001Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, William S. Wong
-
Patent number: 6202008Abstract: A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate location. A computer is mounted within the housing and executes an open platform, multi-tasking operating system. The computer runs multiple applications on the operating system, including both vehicle-related applications (e.g., vehicle security application, vehicle diagnostics application, communications application, etc.) and non-vehicle-related applications (e.g., entertainment application, word processing, etc.). The computer system has an Internet wireless link to provide access to the Internet. One or more of the applications may utilize the link to access content on the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, William S. Wong
-
Patent number: 6175789Abstract: A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate location. A computer is mounted within the housing and executes an open platform, multi-tasking operating system. The computer runs multiple applications on the operating system, including both vehicle-related applications (e.g., vehicle security application, vehicle diagnostics application, communications application, etc.) and non-vehicle-related applications (e.g., entertainment application, word processing, etc.). The applications may be supplied by the vehicle manufacturer and/or by the vehicle user.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, William S. Wong
-
Patent number: 6131051Abstract: Described herein is an in-dash automotive accessory having a detachable faceplate with a keypad and a medium resolution color graphics display. The graphic display has a rectangular array of addressable pixels. A serial interface is used to transfer data to and from the faceplate. Although the serial interface has a clock rate of only 7.5 MHz, it allows refreshing of a 64.times.256 pixel display panel at a 70 Hz pixel refresh rate. This is accomplished through a variety of techniques, including the use of efficient command code protocol, by packing or compressing pixel intensity data, and by double buffering incoming control messages.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Alec Barker, Mark M. Moeller
-
Patent number: 6009363Abstract: A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate location. The housing includes a base unit and a faceplate. A first logic unit is mounted to the base unit to form a support module. The support module has two interfacing slots and can support connections to multiple peripheral devices. The support module facilitates high speed data exchange between the peripheral devices for streaming continuous audio or video data. The support module has a fast data memory to temporarily hold data being communicated between the peripheral devices. The support module also has a memory access circuit associated with each of the peripheral devices which designates at least one storage area within the fast data memory to hold data received from, or to be sent to, the associated peripheral device. The vehicle computer has a computer module which can be connected to or removed from one interfacing slot of the support module. A multi-bit bus (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Ron Randall, William Wong