Sentillion, Inc.

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

David Fusari

George E Hartz

Robert Seliger

Eric Fontana

Elaine Seliger

Bryan Dove

Michael Todd Gillam

Mark Morwood

Michael J Bortnick

Rob Seliger

Chad Nale

Tom Karson

Gail Fitzpatrick

The present discussion relates to contextually interacting with applications. One example can include a computer that has a set of applications installed thereon. This example can also include a URI manager configured to receive a context-defining URI, the URI manager can be configured to run a sub-set of the applications specified by the context-defining URI and to set a common context for the sub-set of the applications as specified by the context-defining URI.

Contextually interacting with applications

A virtual machine project manager creates a generic, i.e., not user-specific, virtual machine image file. Copies of this image file may be distributed to one or more users, each of whom may then use an automated procedure to generate a user-specific virtual machine image file and, thus, a user-specific virtual machine on his/her remote host computer. The generic virtual machine image file may be distributed on computer-readable media, such as a DVD disks, or the file may be stored on a server and downloaded (such as via the Internet) by the users. Each user also receives or downloads a token, which contains a small amount of user-specific information that is used by the automated procedure to provision the generic virtual machine image file for the particular user. A virtual machine accesses a security token connected to a host computer to automatically authenticate or re-authenticate a user, such as when a virtual private network connection is restarted. Substantially identical session identifiers are used by a host computer and a virtual machine, or by two or more virtual machines and, when communicating with an integrated access server. A file server stores virtual machine images that are accessed by a plurality of host computers.

Remote network access via virtual machine

A virtual printer driver or proxy printer driver executed by a virtual machine communicates with a real printer driver executed by a host computer to enable application programs executed by the virtual machine to print data on printers that are accessible by the host computer.

Maintaining synchronization of virtual machine image differences across server and host computers

Some embodiments relate to processing a web page requested by a web browser. The requested web page is received, and additional code is inserted into the web page that alters and/or augments the functionality of the web page. The web page is then forwarded to the web browser that requested it. The browser executes the code inserted into the web page, thereby augmenting the functionality of the web page.

Methods and apparatus for enabling context sharing

An information management system (IMS) is described herein that provides supplemental information to a user who is interacting with an application module. In one implementation, the IMS includes a collection system, an information extraction module, and a notification system. The collection system provides collected information from one or more information sources. The information extraction module extracts application information from the application module, even though the application module may lack a native interface for providing the application information. The analysis engine determines supplemental information to present to the user based on the collected information and the application information. And the notification information provides notification information which alerts the user to the existence of the supplemental information. In one scenario, the IMS can be applied in a healthcare-related domain.

Functionality for providing clinical decision support

Systems and methods augment a virtual machine (computer) hosting environment from within a virtual machine. A communication channel between the virtual machine and the player is used to send instructions to the player to load and execute requested software modules. Requests to load and execute the modules may originate in the corporate network and may be issued by the corporate network administrator. If a requested module is not stored on the host computer, the virtual machine may upload the module, via the communication channel, to the player. The uploaded module may, for example: (a) install a required upgrade in the host operating system; (b) execute virus checking software on the host computer; or (c) install a corporate network-provided secure printing module that enables software being executed by the host computer to print on devices connected to the host computer.

Augmenting a virtual machine hosting environment from within a virtual machine

Methods and apparatus for controlling user access to a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, a method performed by a user is provided for gaining access to at least one computing device. The method comprises gaining access to the at least one computing device at a first time by providing credential information to the at least one computing device to authenticate the user's identity to the at least one computing device; presenting to the at least one computing device a physical device comprising identifying information to associate the physical device with the user authenticated by the credential information; and gaining access to the at least one computing device at a subsequent time by presenting the physical device to the at least one computing device without providing the credential information.

Methods and apparatus for managing user access to a computing environment

Methods and apparatus related to context management in a networked environment are provided. According to one aspect, a technique is provided for facilitating communication between a client and a context management (CM) server, comprising establishing a network connection between the client and the CM server to enable communication, and maintaining the connection for the period of time during which the context is maintained. According to another aspect, a requested change in at least one aspect of a context is facilitated by publishing a change decision from the context management server to the participant applications. In another aspect, a technique is employed to verify that a remote application is emulated on the same client as at least one other application in a context by receiving from the client and the remote application server information that uniquely identifies the client. In a further aspect, a technique is employed for verifying that two remote applications are emulated on a same client by receiving information from the remote applications that uniquely identifies the client on which they are emulated.

Methods and apparatus for performing context management in a networked environment

Methods and apparatus for controlling user access to a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, a method performed by a user is provided for gaining access to at least one computing device. The method comprises gaining access to the at least one computing device at a first time by providing credential information to the at least one computing device to authenticate the user's identity to the at least one computing device; presenting to the at least one computing device a physical device comprising identifying information to associate the physical device with the user authenticated by the credential information; and gaining access to the at least one 10 computing device at a subsequent time by presenting the physical device to the at least one computing device without providing the credential information.

A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change.

Methods and apparatus for processing a context change request

Methods and apparatus for verifying context participants in a context management system in a networked environment

A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context in accordance with a Clinical Context Object Workgroup (CCOW) standard, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change.

Method and apparatus for processing a context change request in a CCOW environment

Methods and apparatus for controlling user access to a computing environment. In one embodiment, a user gains access to at least one computing device at a first time by providing credential information to authenticate the user's identity; presents to a first user interface for the at least one computing device a physical device comprising identifying information to associate the device with the authenticated user; and gains access at a second time by presenting the physical device to the first user interface or a different user interface without providing the credential information. In another embodiment, in response to a user seeking access by presenting a physical device comprising identifying information, granting access only when the device was previously associated with a user who, within a grace period, provided credential information to authenticate the user's identity.

Method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising a plurality of applications that share a context and a context manager (CM) to manage the context, wherein the context comprises at least first and second subjects and wherein the CM is configured to enable the plurality of applications to share the first subject but not the second subject. The method and apparatus facilitate execution of the plurality of applications by providing an interface between the CM and the plurality of applications that enables each of the plurality of applications to set the second subject; and by maintaining values for the second subject separately for the plurality of applications so that the second subject is not shared among the plurality of applications.

Growing community of inventors

Groton, MA, United States of America

David Fusari