Patents by Inventor Robert George Atkinson

Robert George Atkinson 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: 7921173
    Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Joshua T. Goodman, James M. Lyon, Roy Williams, Khaja E. Ahmed, Harry Simon Katz, Robert L. Rounthwaite, Andrew V. Goldberg, Cynthia Dwork
  • Patent number: 7613778
    Abstract: Provided is a messaging system capable of detecting and processing at least a portion of a malformed message, e.g., a message that previously failed to process. An identifier and state information for the message can be logged. Based on the stored information, a determination can be made that the message previously failed to process. The message can then progressively be de-featured until the message can be processed or until the message is determined to be poisonous, whereupon it can be deleted or otherwise removed from the message stream permanently or temporarily—including moving the message to storage for operator inspection or for delayed delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Erik Pearson, Robert George Atkinson, David Richard Reed, Steven Douglas White, Alexander Robert Norton Wetmore
  • Publication number: 20090193093
    Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Joshua T. Goodman, James M. Lyon, Roy Williams, Khaja E. Ahmed, Harry Simon Katz, Robert L. Rounthwaite, Andrew V. Goldberg, Cynthia Dwork
  • Patent number: 7552176
    Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Joshua T. Goodman, James M. Lyon, Roy Williams, Khaja E. Ahmed, Harry Simon Katz, Robert L. Rounthwaite, Andrew V. Goldberg, Cynthia Dwork
  • Patent number: 7512782
    Abstract: A method and system are provided such that a universal license may be used for authentication and authorization purposes and may include one or more cryptographic keys as well as assertions and related indications of authenticity. In an aspect of the invention, a license may be presented that includes access information, such that authentication and authorization decisions may be made based only on the access information. In other aspects of the invention, rights may be delegated and a trusted party may assert that another party can be trusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher G. Kaler, John P. Shewchuk, Giovanni Moises Della-Libera, Robert George Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7496682
    Abstract: Using a message exchanger (“message exchanger”), data messages are exchanged between entities in a decentralized, distributed, potentially heterogeneous, network environment. The message exchanger employs XML (extensible Markup Language). To accomplish this, the entities on both ends of the message exchange understand, identify, and parse the message format. The message exchanger defines such a mechanism. Data messages are broken down into two portions—one portion (the body) is intended from an ultimate destination and the other portion (the header) is intended for intermediate destination and/or the ultimate destination. The body may be defined so that it must be understood by the ultimate destination. The header may be defined so that it must be understood or changed. Regardless, the data in the body is delivered intact to the ultimate destination. The message exchanger defines a message envelope exchange format in XML over a transport protocol, such as HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Layman, Gopal Krishna R. Kakivaya, Satish R. Thatte, Henrik F. Nielsen, Robert George Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7398315
    Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Workman Nydegger
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Joshua T. Goodman, James M. Lyon, Roy Williams, Khaja E. Ahmed, Harry Simon Katz, Robert L. Rounthwaite
  • Patent number: 7295548
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for disaggregating and connecting A/V components, and communicating A/V content stream information. An A/V stream from a source device is packaged for transmission over an IP network to one or more output devices. A brick device enables the integration of legacy A/V systems into the network supported A/V system. The brick device operates to provide analog signal and IP protocol conversion, along with the synchronization of received A/V stream data packets. The rendering and play of the A/V stream content on multiple output devices is synchronized to overcome distortions and other network idiosyncrasy and to facilitate a pleasant user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William Thomas Blank, Donald M Gray, III, Robert George Atkinson, Anand Valavi
  • Patent number: 7177847
    Abstract: A business relationship is effectuated between a first party and a second party and is governed by an agreement between the first party and the second party. The first party creates a token that authorizes a delegate to request a transaction according to the agreement on behalf of the first party, specifies in the token at least one constraint on a transaction requested by the delegate on behalf of the first party, and provides the token to the delegate. The delegate sends to the second party the token and a transaction document requesting a transaction according to the agreement. The second party applies each constraint in the token against the transaction document to determine whether the transaction document satisfies each constraint. If so, the transaction document is accepted for fulfillment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Marc Levy, James Utzschneider
  • Patent number: 7069335
    Abstract: Using a message exchanger (“message exchanger”), data messages are exchanged between entities in a decentralized, distributed, potentially heterogeneous, network environment. The message exchanger employs XML (extensible Markup Language). To accomplish this, the entities on both ends of the message exchange understand, identify, and parse the message format. The message exchanger defines such a mechanism. Data messages are broken down into two portions—one portion (the body) is intended from an ultimate destination and the other portion (the header) is intended for intermediate destination and/or the ultimate destination. The body may be defined so that it must be understood by the ultimate destination. The header may be defined so that it must be understood or changed. Regardless, the data in the body is delivered intact to the ultimate destination. The message exchanger defines a message envelope exchange format in XML over a transport protocol, such as HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Layman, Gopal Krishna R. Kakivaya, Satish R. Thatte, Henrik F. Neilsen, Robert George Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20040181585
    Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Joshua T. Goodman, James M. Lyon, Roy Williams, Khaja E. Ahmed, Harry Simon Katz, Robert L. Rounthwaite, Andrew V. Goldberg, Cynthia Dwork
  • Publication number: 20040181571
    Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Joshua T. Goodman, James M. Lyon, Roy Williams, Khaja E. Ahmed, Harry Simon Katz, Robert L. Rounthwaite
  • Publication number: 20040100942
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for disaggregating and connecting ANV components, and communicating A/V content stream information. An A/V stream from a source device is packaged for transmission over an IP network to one or more output devices. A brick device enables the integration of legacy A/V systems into the network supported A/V system. The brick device operates to provide analog signal and IP protocol conversion, along with the synchronization of received A/V stream data packets. The rendering and play of the A/V stream content on multiple output devices is synchronized to overcome distortions and other network idiosyncrasy and to facilitate a pleasant user experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: William Thomas Blank, Donald M. Gray, Robert George Atkinson, Anand Valavi
  • Publication number: 20040073518
    Abstract: A business relationship is effectuated between a first party and a second party and is governed by an agreement between the first party and the second party. The first party creates a token that authorizes a delegate to request a transaction according to the agreement on behalf of the first party, specifies in the token at least one constraint on a transaction requested by the delegate on behalf of the first party, and provides the token to the delegate. The delegate sends to the second party the token and a transaction document requesting a transaction according to the agreement. The second party applies each constraint in the token against the transaction document to determine whether the transaction document satisfies each constraint. If so, the transaction document is accepted for fulfillment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Atkinson, Marc Levy, James Utzschneider
  • Publication number: 20040034770
    Abstract: A method and system are provided such that a universal license may be used for authentication and authorization purposes and may include one or more cryptographic keys as well as assertions and related indications of authenticity. In an aspect of the invention, a license may be presented that includes access information, such that authentication and authorization decisions may be made based only on the access information. In other aspects of the invention, rights may be delegated and a trusted party may assert that another party can be trusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher G. Kaler, John P. Shewchuk, Giovanni Moises Della-Libera, Robert George Atkinson