James G. Cavalaris

Bio: James G. Cavalaris is an academic researcher from Microsoft. The author has contributed to research in topics: Unique identifier & Identifier. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 21 publications receiving 225 citations.

Firmware Update Discovery and Distribution

Abstract: A firmware update system is described that collectively handles firmware updates for hardware resources of a computing device. The firmware update system may be configured to handle firmware updates in a consistent manner across different computing platforms/architectures. A data structure is defined to associate each updateable resource with a corresponding identifier to enumerate the updateable resources to the firmware update system. The firmware update system may reference the data structure to produce representations of the each individual resource that provide an operating system level abstraction through which detection, analysis, acquisition, deployment, installation, and tracking of firmware updates is managed. Using the representations, the firmware update system operates to discover available firmware updates collectively for the enumerated resources, match the updates to appropriate resources, and initiate installation of the updates.

Restricting device access per session

Abstract: The present invention is directed to restricting device access per session. Entries in a device list are configured to store session ID values in addition to values for other device properties. A session ID value for a device can be set to the session ID value of a (e.g., RDP) session that registered the device such that the subsequent transfer of device related information for the device can be restricted to processes in the session. When a request for device related information is received from a process, an access check is performed by at least comparing a session ID value for the process to a session ID value stored in a device entry for the device. When the access check is successful, for example, when session ID values match, access to the requested device related information can be permitted.

Maintaining known dependencies for updates

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for maintaining update dependencies includes receiving, at a computing device, an update set from an update service. The update set may include a dependent set including a first update having a dependency on a second update in the update set. The first and second updates are separated from the update set and installed. Upon installation, an activation condition may be applied to the first and second updates.

Multi-function Device ID with Unique Identifier

Abstract: A computer system that recognizes multi-function devices and associates functions with multi-function devices. Each multi-function device may be represented by a multi-function object, allowing tools, applications or other components within the computer to take actions relating to the entire device or relating to a function based on the association of that function with other functions in the same device. These actions include displaying information about devices, instead of or in addition to information about functions. Actions also include selecting functions based on proximity within a device. Functions may be associated with a multi-function device using a unique device identifier provided by the device or generated for the function based on a connection hierarchy between functions and the computer. Devices may be configured to provide the same identifier regardless of the transport over which the device is accessed.

Firmware update system

Abstract: A firmware update system is described that collectively handles firmware updates for hardware resources of a computing device. The firmware update system may be configured to handle firmware updates in a consistent manner across different computing platforms/architectures. A data structure is defined to associate each updateable resource with a corresponding identifier to enumerate the updateable resources to the firmware update system. The firmware update system may reference the data structure to produce representations of the each individual resource that provide an operating system level abstraction through which detection, analysis, acquisition, deployment, installation, and tracking of firmware updates is managed. Using the representations, the firmware update system operates to discover available firmware updates collectively for the enumerated resources, match the updates to appropriate resources, and initiate installation of the updates.

Dynamic software update

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically updating software on one or more installation media for installation on at least one destination machine. The invention obtains update content from one or more update media and merges the update content with the software on the installation media prior to installing the software on the destination machine. The software to be installed includes application programs and operating system software.

Platform for enabling terminal services virtualization

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for providing a platform and application program interface (API) that leverages a terminal services session broker infrastructure to support third party plug-in applications. In a typical scenario, when a user requests for a connection to access third party plug-in applications, the application program interface may interact with the session broker process to identify sessions or suitable servers to which the user can be connected. The user may access the third party plug-in applications through the identified sessions or suitable servers.

Computer protection against malware affection

Abstract: A method is provided of protecting a computer against malware affection. The computer has a data storage and an operating system for managing the data storage. The method comprises providing a filter module in the operating system which operates to detect an attempt to store data in the data storage, to determine a data format of the data to be stored in the data storage, and to prevent storage of the data if the data format is determined to relate to a predefined type. The filter module may be provided as a file system filter driver in a kernel of the operating system. The filter module may be arranged to operate between an input/output manager of the operating system and a driver associated with the data storage. The input/output manager and driver associated with the data storage may form part of the kernel of the operating system.

Information processing method and information processing apparatus

Abstract: A program stored in a computer-readable medium causes a computer to execute a process includes receiving, from an automobile in which a control program for controlling devices mounted on the automobile operates, an update request concerning the control program, classifying a plurality of correction programs corresponding to the update request into a plurality of groups on the basis of usable electric energy of a battery corresponding to a vehicle type to which the automobile belongs, an amount of the usable electric energy being stored in a memory, and transmitting the classified correction programs to the automobile for each of the groups.

System and method for providing private session-based access to a redirected USB device or local device

Abstract: Restricting access to a device from a server, where the device is remote to the server and is connected locally to a client that is remote to the server, is described. The operations may include facilitating interception, at the server, of a function call to create a symbolic link; facilitating determination that the intercepted function call to create the symbolic link corresponds to a device object associated with the device that is remote to the server and is connected locally to a client that is remote to the server; facilitating obtaining configuration data indicating whether access to the device is to be restricted; and facilitating creation of the symbolic link in a local namespace of an object manager namespace of the server, upon obtaining configuration data indicating that access to the device is to be restricted.