Tin Qian

US Patent:

7506052, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Apr 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/103299

Inventors:

Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
Alexandru Gavrilescu - Redmond WA, US
Alvin Tan - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709224, 709227

Abstract:

A network experience rating system and method determines a network connection quality for a computer by monitoring characteristics of data traffic through a connection with another computer on the network. The network experience rating system statistically analyzes the characteristic data and compares the statistically analyzed data to historical data gathered for the computer. The network experience rating system thus provides a rating that is individualized for a particular computer based on the computer's network usage.

US Patent:

7711800, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Jan 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/345189

Inventors:

Alexandru Gavrilescu - Redmond WA, US
Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709219, 709217, 709218

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method by which the connectivity status of network connections on a PC is determined in real-time by passively reviewing packet information from the TCP/IP stack. To achieve high accuracy of the connectivity status determination, the method involves the determination of the edge of a local network. In cases where little or no network traffic is observed on the network, scalable active probing methods are designed to make accurate connectivity determination. Special considerations for network setups like networks with web proxy servers, NAT or edge firewalls are also included to improve the accuracy of the determination in those environments.

US Patent:

7881231, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Feb 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/371481

Inventors:

Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
David Thaler - Redmond WA, US
Ari Pekka Niikkonen - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28
H04L 12/56
G06F 9/26
G06F 9/34

US Classification:

370255, 370392, 711202

Abstract:

A diagnostic tool for identifying a configuration of a private network that may disrupt operations involving communication between two devices on the network. The tool, when run on a device in the network, can identify a “double NAT” configuration in which the device may be separated from other devices on the private network by a NAT device. The tool, when run on a computing device, identifies a NAT device, such as a router, to which the device is connected. The tool then identifies a list containing one or more other devices that may be connected to the NAT device. The tool tests whether these other devices also perform NAT functions and are on the private network. Both the NAT device and the devices that may be connected to the NAT device are identified and a determination is made of whether those devices are on the private network by sending requests using one or more protocols that devices on a private network conventionally use but are not conventionally used by devices on other networks.

US Patent:

7904757, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/134181

Inventors:

Ari Pekka Niikkonen - Redmond WA, US
Darene Brice Lewis - Bothell WA, US
Anthony Goodrich Jones - Kirkland WA, US
Gueorgui Bonov Chkodrov - Redmond WA, US
Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
Jwalin Buch - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 39, 714 18, 714 20

Abstract:

To trace an activity through multiple components or applications that may be involved in the performance of the activity, an activity identifier can be generated and utilized by the various components or applications. Each can generate its own activity identifier to minimize changes to existing interfaces. When logging of events has been activated, each application or component can provide, to an event store, an indication of the activity identifier it is using for a given activity. If a preceding or subsequent component utilizes a different activity identifier for aspects of the same activity, a link between the two activity identifiers can be communicated to the event store. Subsequently, examination of the event store can filter out irrelevant entries based on the activity identifiers. A graph linking the various related activity identifiers can be created and only those events associated with activity identifiers not in the graph can be filtered out.

US Patent:

7991881, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Feb 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/072936

Inventors:

Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
Aravind Ramarathinam - Redmond WA, US
Michael Bishop - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09F 15/173

US Classification:

709224, 370229, 370352

Abstract:

A method of measuring, for communication paths between a networked computer and at least one other networked computer connected via a network performance, network information to detect network performance degradation and diagnose source(s) of the performance degradation. The diagnosis may be performed by a progressive elimination of possible sources. Network performance degradation may be attributed to problems at a local network or the Internet. The problem sources on the Internet may comprise, for example, an internet server provider (ISP) or a single remote server in communication with the networked computer. A network performance baseline established and maintained for each path may be employed in diagnosing the network performance degradation.

US Patent:

8116234, Feb 14, 2012

Filed:

Jan 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/018067

Inventors:

Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
David G. Thaler - Redmond WA, US
Ari Pekka Niikkonen - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28
H04L 12/56
G06F 9/26
G06F 9/34

US Classification:

370255, 370392, 711202

Abstract:

A diagnostic tool for identifying a configuration of a private network that may disrupt operations involving communication between two devices on the network. The tool, when run on a device in the network, can identify a “double NAT” configuration in which the device may be separated from other devices on the private network by a NAT device. The tool, when run on a computing device, identifies a NAT device, such as a router, to which the device is connected. The tool then identifies a list containing one or more other devices that may be connected to the NAT device. The tool tests whether these other devices also perform NAT functions and are on the private network. Both the NAT device and the devices that may be connected to the NAT device are identified and a determination is made of whether those devices are on the private network by sending requests using one or more protocols that devices on a private network conventionally use but are not conventionally used by devices on other networks.

US Patent:

8160062, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Feb 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/702478

Inventors:

Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
James Talbut - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28
H04J 1/16
G08C 15/00
G06F 11/00
G01R 31/08

US Classification:

370389, 370229, 370250, 370469, 709219

Abstract:

Passive analysis connection detection architecture that leverages connection-oriented end-to-end stack protocol information. In a TCP/IP implementation, by passively leveraging TCP information, a given system can determine in a more realtime fashion the connectivity state of a TCP pathway. Additionally, other passive information from the TCP/IP stack such as send/receive packet counts can be considered. Based on analysis of TCP path information and/or send/receive packet counts, loss of certain network connectivity can be inferred, which greatly improves the accuracy and responsiveness of detecting network connectivity losses. The disclosed architecture also facilitates improved performance when using proxy systems for network connectivity so as to reduce unnecessary network traffic and to route network systems to other online systems in a more efficient and effective manner.

US Patent:

8244862, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Jul 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/183545

Inventors:

Tin Qian - Bellevue WA, US
Aravind Ramarathinam - Redmond WA, US
Michael Bishop - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709224, 370229, 370352

Abstract:

A method of measuring, for communication paths between a networked computer and at least one other networked computer connected via a network performance, network information to detect network performance degradation and diagnose source(s) of the performance degradation. The diagnosis may be performed by a progressive elimination of possible sources. Network performance degradation may be attributed to problems at a local network or the Internet. The problem sources on the Internet may comprise, for example, an internet server provider (ISP) or a single remote server in communication with the networked computer. A network performance baseline established and maintained for each path may be employed in diagnosing the network performance degradation.