Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Miller

Thomas J. Miller 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).

  • Publication number: 20120037957
    Abstract: We have observed anomalous behavior of II-VI semiconductor devices grown on certain semiconductor substrates, and have determined that the anomalous behavior is likely the result of indium atoms from the substrate migrating into the II-V layers during growth. The indium can thus become an unintended dopant in one or more of the II-VI layers grown on the substrate, particularly layers that are close to the growth substrate, and can detrimentally impact device performance. We describe a variety of semiconductor constructions and techniques effective to deplete the migrating indium within a short distance in the growth layers, or to substantially prevent indium from migrating out of the substrate, or to otherwise substantially isolate functional II-VI layers from the migrating indium, so as to maintain good device performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Publication number: 20110314246
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to storage allocation. In aspects, a hierarchical data structure is used to track allocation data for storage managed by a file system. The hierarchical data structure may have multiple levels with each level having data regarding a different granularity of storage. Portions of the hierarchical data structure may be locked independently of other portions of the hierarchical data structure. The hierarchical data structure may indicate that one or more portions of storage are for exclusive use by a directory. Extra space may be reserved in allocated space in anticipation of subsequent operations. Allocation requestors may obtain storage allocation from regions associated with different levels of the hierarchical data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Jonathan M. Cargille, William R. Tipton, Surendra Verma
  • Publication number: 20110314229
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to error detection for files. In aspects, before allowing updates to a clean file, a flag marking the file as dirty is written to non-volatile storage. Thereafter, the file may be updated as long as desired. Periodically or at some other time, the file may be marked as clean after all outstanding updates to the file and error codes associated with the file are written to storage. While waiting for outstanding updates and error codes to be written to storage, if additional requests to update the file are received, the file may be marked as dirty again prior to allowing the additional requests to update the file. The request to write a clean flag regarding the file may be done lazily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Jonathan M. Cargille, William R. Tipton, Surendra Verma
  • Publication number: 20110307449
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to checkpoints for a file system. In aspects, updates to the file system are organized into checkpoint buckets. When a checkpoint is desired, subsequent updates are directed to another checkpoint bucket. After global tables have been updated for updates in the current checkpoint bucket, a logical copy of the global tables is created. This logical copy is stored as part of the checkpoint data. To assist in recovery, a checkpoint manager may wait until all updates of the current checkpoint bucket have been written to storage before writing final checkpoint data to storage. This final checkpoint data may refer to the logical copy of the global tables and include a validation code to verify that the checkpoint data is correct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Cargille, Thomas J. Miller, William R. Tipton
  • Publication number: 20110279334
    Abstract: The present invention, as typically embodied, implements an energy source, a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, a resonant cavity, and an electricity meter (e.g., voltmeter, ammeter, or power meter) to calibrate an electronic device. Firstly, the receiving antenna is calibrated based on measurement of power that has been generated and transmitted in known quantity, propagated through air, and received by the receiving antenna. Secondly, the resonant cavity is connectively situated between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna; the resonant cavity is calibrated based on measurement of power that has been generated and transmitted in the same quantity, propagated through the resonant cavity, and received by the receiving antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jerry Rosson Smith, JR., Thomas J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110276611
    Abstract: A transactional file system wherein multiple file system operations may be performed as a transaction. An application specifies that file system-related operations are to be handled as a transaction, and the application is given a file handle associated with a transaction context. For file system requests associated with a transaction context, a file system component manages operations consistent with transactional behavior. Logging and recovery are also facilitated by logging page data separate from the main log with a unique signature that enables the log to determine whether a page was fully flushed to disk prior to a system crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Surendra Verma, Thomas J. Miller, Robert G. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8010559
    Abstract: A transactional file system wherein multiple file system operations may be performed as a transaction. An application specifies that file system-related operations are to be handled as a transaction, and the application is given a file handle associated with a transaction context. For file system requests associated with a transaction context, a file system component manages operations consistent with transactional behavior. Transactions over a network are facilitated. Remote files may be accessed within a transaction via a redirector protocol. A redirector on a client computer system communicates with an agent on a server computer system to relay and maintain transactional information on both systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Surendra Verma, Thomas J. Miller, Robert G. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110186877
    Abstract: An electroluminescent device emits light at a pump wavelength. A first photoluminescent element covers first and second regions of the electroluminescent device and converts at least some of the pump light from the first region of the electroluminescent device to light at a first wavelength. A second photoluminescent element covers the second region of the electroluminescent device without covering the first region of the electroluminescent device and converts at least some of the light of the pump wavelength to light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. In some embodiments the first and second photoluminescent elements convert substantially all of the pump light incident from the first and second regions of the electroluminescent device respectively. An etch-stop layer may separate the first and second photoluminescent elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Thomas J. Miller, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Tommie W. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20110156002
    Abstract: Light emitting systems are disclosed. The light emitting system includes an electroluminescent device that emits light at a first wavelength from a top surface of the electroluminescent device. The light emitting system further includes a construction proximate a side of the electroluminescent device for blocking light at the first wavelength that would otherwise exit the side. The light emitting system further includes a re-emitting semiconductor construction that includes a II-VI potential well. The re-emitting semiconductor construction receives the first wavelength light that exits the electroluminescent device and converts at least a portion of the received light to light of a second wavelength. The integrated emission intensity of all light at the second wavelength that exit the light emitting system is at least 4 times the integrated emission intensity of all light at the first wavelength that exit the light emitting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Catherine A. Leatherdale, Michael A. Haase, Todd A. Ballen, Thomas J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110150020
    Abstract: Light sources are disclosed. A disclosed light source includes a III-V based pump light source (170) that includes nitrogen and emits light at a first wavelength. The light source further includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) that converts at least a portion of the first wavelength light (174) emitted by the pump light source (170) to at least a partially coherent light at a second wavelength (176). The VCSEL includes first and second mirrors (120, 160) that form an optical cavity for light at the second wavelength. The first mirror (120) is substantially reflective at the second wavelength and includes a first multilayer stack. The second mirror (160) is substantially transmissive at the first wavelength and partially reflective and partially transmissive and the second wavelength. The second mirror includes a second multilayer stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Thomas J. Miller, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Publication number: 20110145527
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to maintaining consistency in a storage system. In aspects, one or more objects may be updated in the context of a transaction. In conjunction with updating the objects, logical copies of the objects may be obtained and modified. A request to write the updated logical copies is sent to a storage controller. The logical copies do not overwrite the original copies. In conjunction with sending the request, a data structure is provided for the storage controller to store on the disk. The data structure indicates the one or more objects that were supposed to be written to disk and may include verification data to indicate the content that was supposed to be written to disk. During recovery, this data structure may be used to determine whether all of the object(s) were correctly written to disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Jonathan M. Cargille, William R. Tipton, Surendra Verma
  • Publication number: 20110140129
    Abstract: Light emitting systems are disclosed. The light emitting system includes an LED that emits light at a first wavelength and includes a pattern that enhances emission of light from a top surface of the LED and suppresses emission of light from one or more sides of the LED. The light emitting system further includes a re-emitting semiconductor construction that includes a II-VI potential well. The re-emitting semiconductor construction receives the first wavelength light that exits the LED and converts at least a portion of the received light to light of a second wavelength. The integrated emission intensity of all light at the second wavelength that exit the light emitting system is at least 4 times the integrated emission intensity of all light at the first wavelength that exit the light emitting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Catherine A. Leatherdale, Todd A. Ballen, Thomas J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110121319
    Abstract: Light emitting devices and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) that emits blue or UV light and is attached to a semiconductor construction. The semiconductor construction includes a re-emitting semiconductor construction that includes at least one layer of a II-VI compound and converts at least a portion of the emitted blue or UV light to longer wavelength light. The semiconductor construction further includes an etch-stop construction that includes an AlInAs or a GaInAs compound. The etch-stop is capable of withstanding an etchant that is capable of etching InP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Thomas J. Miller, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Publication number: 20110101403
    Abstract: Semiconductor light converting constructions are disclosed. The semiconductor light converting construction includes a first semiconductor layer for absorbing at least a portion of light at a first wavelength; a semiconductor potential well for converting at least a portion of the light absorbed at the first wavelength to light at a longer second wavelength; and a second semiconductor layer that is capable of absorbing at least a portion of light at the first wavelength. The first semiconductor layer has a maximum first index of refraction at the second wavelength. The second semiconductor layer has a second index of refraction at the second wavelength that is greater than the maximum first index of refraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Jun-Ying Zhang, Thomas J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7902543
    Abstract: An adapted LED is provided comprising a short-wavelength LED and a re-emitting semiconductor construction, wherein the re-emitting semiconductor construction comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential well(s) are typically quantum well(s). The adapted LED may be a white or near-white light LED. The re-emitting semiconductor construction may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the potential well(s). In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the adapted LED according to the present invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Patent number: 7902542
    Abstract: An article includes an LED that has an emitting surface. A reemitting semiconductor structure has an emitting surface and converts light emitted by the LED to light of a different wavelength. At least one of the emitting surfaces frustrates total internal reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Thomas J. Miller, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 7870248
    Abstract: Detecting the failure of file transfers via a network copy service from a source computer to a destination computer via a network monitoring service. If the network monitoring service determines that the source computer is no longer available, the destination computer initiates a second file transfer request via the network copy service from a second source of the file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Thiel, Rebecca L. Anderson, Thomas J. Miller, Martin Andras Chisholm
  • Publication number: 20100295057
    Abstract: An arrangement of light sources is attached to a semiconductor wavelength converter. Each light source emits light at a respective peak wavelength, and the arrangement of light sources is characterized by a first range of peak wavelengths. The semiconductor wavelength converter is characterized by a second range of peak wavelengths when pumped by the arrangement of light sources. The second range of peak wavelengths is narrower than the first range of peak wavelengths. The semiconductor wavelength converter is characterized by an absorption edge having a wavelength longer than the longest peak wavelength of the light sources. The wavelength converter may also be used for reducing the wavelength variation in the output from an extended light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Sun, Michael A. Haase, Thomas J. Miller, Terry L Smith, Tommie W. Kelley, Catherine A. Leatherdale
  • Publication number: 20100224889
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided comprising a first potential well located within a pn junction and a second potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential wells may be quantum wells. The semiconductor device is typically an LED, and may be a white or near-white light LED. The semiconductor device may additionally comprise a third potential well not located within a pn junction. The semiconductor device may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the second or third quantum wells. In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the semiconductor device according to the present invention are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Publication number: 20100181581
    Abstract: An LED is provided comprising two or more light-emitting Type II interfaces wherein at least two of the Type II interfaces differ in transition energy by at least 5%, or more typically by at least 10%, and wherein at least one of the Type II interfaces is within a pn junction. Alternately, an LED is provided comprising two or more light-emitting Type II interfaces wherein at least two of the Type II interfaces differ in transition energy by at least 5%, or more typically by at least 10%. The Type II interfaces may include interfaces from a layer which is an electron quantum well and not a hole quantum well, interfaces to a layer which is a hole quantum well and not an electron quantum well; and interfaces that satisfy both conditions simultaneously. The Type II interfaces may be within a pn or pin junction or not within a pn or pin junction. In the later case, emission from the Type II interfaces may be photopumped by a nearby light source. The LED may be a white or near-white light LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase