Patents Represented by Attorney Shook Hardy & Bacon
  • Patent number: 8352183
    Abstract: A unique system, method, and user interface are provided that involve an integration of map technology with social networks so that individuals can select members of these communities with which to communicate based at least in part on their location, thus enhancing the communication experience. This can be referred to as geo-based messaging. In particular, a member or user of the system and/or method can include his/her personal location information, for example, when joining an online community or social network. This location information can be employed to generate one or more maps that plot the locations of messages posted by community members. As a result, a user can readily visualize any other users or community members located at any selected distance from him/her or from any selected focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chandrasekhar Thota, Gur Kimchi
  • Patent number: 8348371
    Abstract: Customized articles of footwear are produced by providing options and graphics that are selected by a customer when submitting a custom order at a retail facility. The graphics are selected from a catalog while the options, such as a shoe model or a shoe size, are selected at an order interface rendered at a computing device. The computing device processes the order by uploading printing instructions associated with the customer-selected graphic or by converting specifications of the order into the printing instructions. The printing instructions are passed to a printer that is configured to move inkjet nozzles in a pattern and, concurrently, control a timed release of coloring agent from the inkjet nozzles based on the printing instructions. Releasing the coloring agent over the article of footwear physically applies a design thereto, which substantially resembles the customer-selected graphic. An oven typically cures the design via infrared heat over a timeframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Converse Inc.
    Inventors: Sean McDowell, Steve Horn, Dave Powers, Brandon Avery, Bryan Cioffi
  • Patent number: 8352874
    Abstract: A communication icon represents a shared connection allowing members of an online group to interact with each other and participate in different activities together. The icon through which the group interacts resides on each group member's desktop and has many attributes including click activation modes and drag and drop functionality. The icon provides each group member with a representation of the group's shared relationship. Any group member can change the group icon and have that change propagated to the computers of the other members of the group. The icon can be activated for both non-verbal and verbal communications as well as activity sharing. Online members of the group are kept apprised of the group's status and activities via a displayed status bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Melora Zaner, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Asta Glatzer, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Eugene Zarakhovsky
  • Patent number: 8350862
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for a common device enumeration point to a class of software objects, which represent hardware and can emit 2D bitmaps, via a presentation interface component. Such presentation interface component can further include a factory component that centralizes enumeration and creation for any components that control or communicate with the frame buffer of the graphics display subsystems. Accordingly, a smooth transition can be supplied between full screen and window models, within desktop composition systems, wherein applications can readily support such transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. J. Noyle, Craig C. Peeper, Samual Z. Glassenberg
  • Patent number: 8352284
    Abstract: Methods, computer storage media, systems and user interfaces for generating and/or managing medication tapers are provided. Medication tapers are generated by receiving medication taper data and calculating a planned regimen that includes a set of orders based upon the received medication taper data. Each order of the set of orders may be modified, captured and/or completed, for instance, by a clinician. After a medication taper has been completed, it may be retrieved and managed as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Schneider, John Q. Deverter, Yegor Faridovich Hanov, Ethan D. Gershon
  • Patent number: 8343726
    Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Techlab, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Boone, David M. Lyerly, Tracy D. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8347377
    Abstract: The invention comprises three extensions of the IEEE 802.1Q VLAN bridge model. The first extension is the cryptographic separation of VLANs over trunk links. A LAN segment type referred to as an encapsulated LAN segment is introduced. All frames on such a segment are encapsulated according to an encryption and authentication code scheme. The second extension is the division of a trunk port into inbound and outbound ports. The third extension is a protocol that automatically infers for each outbound port in a bridged VLAN, a set of LAN segment types for the port that minimizes the number of transfers between encapsulated and unencapsulated segments required to transport a frame in the bridged VLAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Michael Volpano, Xinhua J. Zhao
  • Patent number: 8346572
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing clinical information to clinicians are provided. In embodiments, a patient's electronic health record is accessed to identify that a first clinician has requested a consult with a second clinician. Each clinician is associated with a clinician identifier that is identified by a plurality of sensors. A location for both the first and second clinician is received from the plurality of sensors. A determination is made whether the first and second clinicians are near one another. Upon determining that the first and second clinicians are near one another, a notification is presented to the first clinician. Such tracking of clinician location helps avoid missed opportunities and provides efficient communication among clinicians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Eaton, Jr., David L. Compton, Justin Nelson, Paul Cannon, Mark Allen Nolte
  • Patent number: 8342685
    Abstract: System and methods for testing and/or training a subject's visual perception span and/or speed are provided. More specifically, a method may include testing/training various aspects of the subject's visual perception span/speed through the use of assessments that test the subject's ability to receive and retain information that is flashed in front of them. By using various assessments, an efficient examination may be administered. In accordance with the invention, an individual may be subjected to such a method of testing/training comprising: presenting one or more two-dimensional representations to the subject at a first time; receiving input responses from the subject at a second time; and processing the received input responses to provide a measure of the perception span of the subject; and processing the time between the first time and the second time to provide a measure of the perception speed of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb Yoo, Graham B. Erickson, Alan W. Reichow
  • Patent number: 8337992
    Abstract: A multi-layer composite body having at least a single-layer carrier layer and a PMMA layer which is carried thereby and which as its main component has standard PMMA, impact-resistant modified PMMA or mixtures thereof, wherein at least a single-layer lacquer layer is printed on the PMMA layer, and wherein the lacquer layer is printed on the surface of the PMMA layer which is remote from the carrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Senoplast Klepsch & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Kager, Johann Kappacher, Thomas Peis
  • Patent number: 8341541
    Abstract: A method referred to as visual window browsing allows a user to browse through windows on their desktop. Aspects of the invention include responsive to a command, moving open windows to form a visual stack with the topmost window in the stack being in focus. Responsive to a browse the windows in the visual stack can be browsed, where the topmost window moves to the bottom of the visual stack and the other windows move higher in the stack, with the second highest window becoming the topmost window and being in focus. Successive browse commands causes this behavior to repeat allowing a user to cycle through each of the open windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ales Holecek, Charles W. Stabb, Hillel N. Cooperman, Jeffrey W. Pettiross, Mark R. Ligameri, Kanwal VedBrat, Donald J. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8336473
    Abstract: A mattress edge tape machine is provided. More specifically, a workstation for applying a tape edge material about the peripheral side edges of bedding materials such as mattresses or foundation sets is provided. The mattress edge tape machine has a table adapted to support a work piece, at least one conveyor belt coupled to the table, a sewing head mounted directly adjacent to the table for performing a sewing operation on the work piece, and an arcuate turning arm mounted adjacent to the table to selectively turn the work piece on the table. The arcuate arm may include a clamping device for moving and securing the work piece. The machine may also include a guide assembly of actuators, instead of an arcuate turning arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Stanislav Nemec, Stjepan Vadlja
  • Patent number: 8341017
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-accessible medium are provided for optimizing search result listings in a search engine user interface. The system and method provide an automated way of promoting and demoting the placement of a search result listing between more or less desirable locations, based on the listing's performance in a given placement. Promoting and demoting placements is based on a threshold performance for the listing against which the actual performance of a listing is measured. The threshold performance may be advantageously varied to accommodate different revenue and relevance goals for a particular search engine or portion of the search engine's market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Payne, Eric B. Watson, Sally K. Salas, Sreeram Krishnan
  • Patent number: 8335836
    Abstract: Implementing a consistent user name-space on networked computing devices includes various components and methods. When a network connection between a local or host computing device and one or more remote computing devices is present, remote items are represented using the same methodology as items located on the host computing device. To the user, remote and local items are indistinguishable. When the network connection is lost or items located on a remote computer are otherwise unavailable, the unavailable items remain represented on the host computing device. Unavailable items are represented in a way that informs the user that the items may not be fully accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S Aust, David G. De Vorchik, Yun Lin, Timothy P McKee, Jason F. Moore, Shishir Pardikar, Mohammed Samji, David C Steere, Navjot Virk
  • Patent number: 8333284
    Abstract: When displayed, greeting cards are typically organized on a display fixture having multiple rows or levels upon which to sit the cards. Each row then has a front wall to hold in the card, yet is short enough to still view a portion of the greeting card above the wall. Because display fixtures are manufactured to have a specified amount of rows or levels at a specified depth, in order to adjust the specifications of a display fixture, other pieces may be used, for example, by attaching to the display fixture a convertible row to add another level or tier between set rows of the display fixture. By providing another row using a convertible row, another set of greeting cards may be displayed between cards displayed on other rows of the original display fixture, increasing the density of the overall display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Todd E. Berry, Shaun P. Arness
  • Patent number: 8335784
    Abstract: Methods, systems, graphical user interfaces, and computer-readable media for visually searching and exploring a set of objects are provided. A computer system executes a method that generates three-dimensional representations or two-dimensional representations for a set of objects in response to a user interaction with an interface that displays the three-dimensional representations or the two-dimensional representations. The interface includes filter controls, sorting controls, and classification controls, which are dynamically altered based on the content of a user query or the attributes of the objects in the three-dimensional representations or two-dimensional representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary Mark Gutt, Paul Ronald Ray, Rodney Coleman Edwards, Darwin Kengo Yamamoto, Hady Moustafa Abou El Kheir, Brian Whalen MacDonald, Jerry Daniel Bain
  • Patent number: 8332426
    Abstract: Referring expressions are identified for concepts by analyzing search query and result selection information. An ontology of concepts is identified, and at least one document is associated with each concept. The document associated with a concept is representative of the concept. Search query information from a search engine is analyzed to identify search queries that resulted in user selections of documents associated with the concepts. Referring expressions that refer to the concepts are identified based on the search queries that resulted in user selections of documents corresponding with the concepts. After identifying referring expressions for concepts, search queries may be mapped to referring expressions to identify concepts to which the search queries pertain, and search result pages may be generated based on knowledge of the concepts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Ahn, Michael Paul Bieniosek, Andrei Peter Makhanov, Franco Salvetti, Giovanni Lorenzo Thione, Gianluca Donato
  • Patent number: 8332763
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that allow a user to select and add subsections of multiple websites to a single aggregated website that will automatically retrieve updated content corresponding to the selected subsection are provided. The content from the selected subsections may be displayed on the aggregated website. The aggregated website will periodically check a source website and update the content displayed on the aggregated site if the source website has been updated. The application generating the source website determines which subsection of the updated website corresponds with the subsection originally selected for display by comparing the document object model (“DOM”) for both the updated web page and the original version of the web page at the time the subsection selection was made by the user. Condensed DOM trees may be generated for the updated web page and the original version of the web page, prior to comparing the two DOM trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhang, Yin Liu, Shenhua Gu
  • Patent number: 8332141
    Abstract: A computer system and media for delivering routing information are provided. The computer system includes a routing engine, a database, and routing network that are employed to respond to routing requests and user modifications of routing information received in response to the routing requests. The routing engine receives the routing requests and generates routing information that illustrates a route and metadata for directions that guides a user when navigating the route. A user that is dissatisfied with the routing information may use route modification tools to alter the route in a manner that is consistent with the user's understanding of alternate routes that may supplement the routing information provided by the routing engine. The computer system receives the user modifications, stores the user modifications, and updates the routing network to learn the alternate route provided in the user modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Darren Couckuyt
  • Patent number: 8325177
    Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media for displaying two-dimensional objects on a display device are disclosed. Rendering requests are received from an application to render two-dimensionally modeled graphics to a display device. Primitive geometries of drawing calls of the rendering requests are tessellated into sequences of triangles. The vertices of the triangles are mapped to a vertex buffer along with an index to identify associated constant data. Batching operations store and communicate calls and mapped data to a graphics processing unit by way of a three-dimensional rendering application program interface. Constant data associated with the mapped data are indexed and appended together in a constant buffer, thereby allowing drawing calls to be coalesced. A staging buffer and a staging texture are provided for batching text anti-aliasing operations. Shader fragments are precompiled and organized by way of a predetermined lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Lawrence, Alexander Stevenson, Jason Hartman, Brett Bloomquist, Robert Brown, Chris Kam Ming Chui, Samrach Tun, Anthony Hodsdon, Thomas Olsen, Miles Cohen, Ben Constable, Bilgem Cakir, Chris Raubacher, Gerhard Schneider, Andrew Precious, Thomas Mulcahy, Kanwal Vedbrat