Patents by Inventor Robert M. Price
Robert M. Price 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: 20120192173Abstract: A system and method for communicating with one or more software-controlled devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventor: Robert M. Price
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Publication number: 20110125926Abstract: A system and method for communicating with one or more software-controlled devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventor: Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 7904608Abstract: Particular embodiments include a system and method to enable a user-controlled proxy system or coordinating computer to automatically or semi-automatically communicate with multiple devices, determine the currently operating software contents and versions for each device, and to automatically or semi-automatically upgrade each device with updated software without requiring user intervention. The software may include communication, operating system or application-specific program codes that improve a given device's designed function.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventor: Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 6954782Abstract: An electronic mail (e-mail) application program includes a configurable, e-mail messaging feature for automatically responding to a portable computer's transition between online and offline states. The e-mail application program determines the state of a connection between a portable computer and an electronic mail server and processes electronic messages in accordance with the appropriate state. The portable computer's transition between an online state and an offline state triggers a user-configurable response, designed to permit the continuation of electronic mail message processing in a manner that accommodates the state change. The e-mail application program responds to such a transition by automatically switching between online and offline modes of operation. The e-mail application program can also respond to such a transition by establishing a secondary connection to a mail server when a primary connection is rendered inoperative.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Scott A. Thurlow, David A. Raissipour, Stephen T. Wells, Robert M. Price
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Publication number: 20020198951Abstract: An electronic mail (e-mail) application program includes a configurable, e-mail messaging feature for automatically responding to a portable computer's transition between online and offline states. The e-mail application program determines the state of a connection between a portable computer and an electronic mail server and processes electronic messages in accordance with the appropriate state. The portable computer's transition between an online state and an offline state triggers a user-configurable response, designed to permit the continuation of electronic mail message processing in a manner that accommodates the state change. The e-mail application program responds to such a transition by automatically switching between online and offline modes of operation. The e-mail application program can also respond to such a transition by establishing a secondary connection to a mail server when a primary connection is rendered inoperative.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Scott A. Thurlow, David A. Raissipour, Stephen T. Wells, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 6457879Abstract: An electronic mail (e-mail) application program includes a configurable, e-mail messaging feature for automatically responding to a portable computer's transition between online and offline states. The e-mail application program determines the state of a connection between a portable computer and an electronic mail server and processes electronic messages in accordance with the appropriate state. The portable computer's transition between an online state and an offline state triggers a user-configurable response, designed to permit the continuation of electronic mail message processing in a manner that accommodates the state change. The e-mail application program responds to such a transition by automatically switching between online and offline modes of operation. The e-mail application program can also respond to such a transition by establishing a secondary connection to a mail server when a primary connection is rendered inoperative.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1997Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Scott A. Thurlow, David A. Raissipour, Stephen T. Wells, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 6367012Abstract: A certification or signature is incorporated in a computer program, an executable file, or code to assure its authenticity and integrity, particularly for receiving it over an open computer network like the Internet. The executable file may be of any executable form, including an executable or portable executable .exe file format, a .cab cabinet file format, an .ocx object control format, or a Java class file. The certification includes a keyed source confirmation with a secure representation of the executable file. In an embodiment, the certification is referenced in a header of the executable file, the reference including a pointer to the keyed source confirmation and an indication of the size of the keyed source confirmation.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkinson, James W. Kelly, Jr., Bryan W. Tuttle, Robert M. Price, Robert P. Reichel
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Patent number: 6308173Abstract: A unified and straightforward approach to managing file and other resource security in a networked computing environment is disclosed. The invention can be implemented in a multi-user computer network that includes a client computer, a server computer that controls a resource sharable among users of the network, such as a shared file folder or directory, and a communications pathway between the client computer and the server computer. The resource is organized as a hierarchy of elements with a root elemnent at the top of the hierarchy and additional elements below the root element. According to the invention, a request is received to change a protection, such as an access permission, of an element of the resource hierarchy (other than the root) with respect to a particular network user. If the element in question lacks an associated access control list, a nearest ancestor element of the hierarchy is located that has an associated access control list.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel S. Glasser, Ann Elizabeth McCurdy, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 6246409Abstract: A method and system for connecting to, browsing, and accessing computer network resources are provided. In a network in which the preferred embodiment of the present invention operates, a client video display includes a container called “Network Neighborhood.” The Network Neighborhood provides a constrained view of the network in a NOS-independent manner. The Network Neighborhood provides a constrained view of the network by displaying only those network resources that are determined to be interesting to the user. Further, the Network Neighborhood provides this view in a NOS-independent manner by displaying all of the network resources in a consistent manner, regardless of the type of client software that was used to enumerate or discover the network resources. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each type of client software installed on a client determines a list of network resources that are interesting to the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: William Lewis Veghte, Leonard Thomas Smale, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 6061684Abstract: A unified and straightforward approach to managing file and other resource security in a networked computing environment is disclosed. The invention can be implemented in a multi-user computer network that includes a client computer, a server computer that controls a resource sharable among users of the network, such as a shared file folder or directory, and a communications pathway between the client computer and the server computer. The resource is organized as a hierarchy of elements with a root element at the top of the hierarchy and additional elements below the root element. According to the invention, a request is received to change a protection, such as an access permission, of an element of the resource hierarchy (other than the root) with respect to a particular network user. If the element in question lacks an associated access control list, a nearest ancestor element of the hierarchy is located that has an associated access control list.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel S. Glasser, Ann Elizabeth McCurdy, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 5956715Abstract: A unified and straightforward approach to managing file and other resource security in a networked computing environment is disclosed. The invention can be implemented in a multi-user computer network that includes a client computer, a server computer that controls a resource sharable among users of the network, such as a shared file folder or directory, and a communications pathway between the client computer and the server computer. The resource is organized as a hierarchy of elements with a root element at the top of the hierarchy and additional elements below the root element. According to the invention, a request is received to change a protection, such as an access permission, of an element of the resource hierarchy (other than the root) with respect to a particular network user. If the element in question lacks an associated access control list, a nearest ancestor element of the hierarchy is located that has an associated access control list.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1996Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel S. Glasser, Ann Elizabeth McCurdy, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 5953012Abstract: A method and system for connecting to, browsing, and accessing computer network resources are provided. In a network in which the preferred embodiment of the present invention operates, a client video display includes a container called "Network Neighborhood." The Network Neighborhood provides a constrained view of the network in a NOS-independent manner. The Network Neighborhood provides a constrained view of the network by displaying only those network resources that are determined to be interesting to the user. Further, the Network Neighborhood provides this view in a NOS-independent manner by displaying all of the network resources in a consistent manner, regardless of the type of client software that was used to enumerate or discover the network resources. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each type of client software installed on a client determines a list of network resources that are interesting to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: William Lewis Veghte, Leonard Thomas Smale, Robert M. Price
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Patent number: 5892904Abstract: A certification or signing method ensures the authenticity and integrity of a computer program, an executable file, or code received over a computer network. The method is used by a publisher or distributor to "sign" an executable file so it can be transmitted with confidence to a recipient over an open network like the Internet. The executable file may be of any executable form, including an executable or portable executable .exe file format, a .cab cabinet file format, an .ocx object control format, or a Java class file. The code signing method assures the recipient of the identity of the publisher as the source of file (i.e., its authenticity) and that the file has not been modified after being transmitted by the publisher (i.e., the integrity of the file).Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkinson, Robert M. Price, Aaron M. Contorer
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Patent number: 5655077Abstract: A method and system for authenticating access to heterogeneous computing services is provided. In a preferred embodiment, logon providers are configured into the computer system, which provide secure access to their services by requiring authentication of user identification information using a logon mechanism. According to this embodiment, a user designates a primary logon provider to provide an initial logon user interface. The user enters identification information when this user interface is displayed, for example a user name, a password and a domain. The computer system executes a logon sequence, which first invokes the primary logon provider to collect identification information and to authenticate the user for access to services provided by the primary logon provider. The system then authenticates the collected identification information to provide the user access to operating system computer services.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Gregory A. Jones, Robert M. Price, William L. Veghte
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Patent number: 5031797Abstract: A reagent storage and delivery apparatus comprises a reagent cartridge having a plurality of fluidic chambers and includes a flange means for receiving a label to define a code indicating information concerning the contents of the cartridge. Preferably, a binary code is defined through use of windows formed in an extending portion of the cartridge which cooperate with a formed portion of the label applied to the cartridge. The binary code is optically read and translated to a digital information signal for instructional use with an analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Michael Boris, Richard C. Meyer, Robert M. Price