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: 11012593
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Phillip G. Hays, Steven P. Maillet, Andrew W. Lovitt
  • Publication number: 20180295261
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Phillip G. Hays, Steven P. Maillet, Andrew W. Lovitt
  • Publication number: 20140125802
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Phillip G. Hays, Steven P. Maillet, Andrew W. Lovitt
  • Patent number: 8065026
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 8001290
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
  • Publication number: 20090228615
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 7433974
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 7296258
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7254083
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7210014
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Drasnin, Edward J Lansinger, Richard D. Beckert
  • Patent number: 7085710
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 7051160
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 7043613
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Publication number: 20040221142
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Sharon Drasnin, Ronald Otto Radko
  • Patent number: 6499078
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Patrick Mullarky
  • Publication number: 20010001319
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, William S. Wong
  • Patent number: 6202008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, William S. Wong
  • Patent number: 6175789
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, William S. Wong
  • Patent number: 6131051
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Alec Barker, Mark M. Moeller
  • Patent number: 6009363
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Mark M. Moeller, Ron Randall, William Wong