Patents Examined by Aaron Lowenberger
  • Patent number: 9665272
    Abstract: A system for iteratively connecting flowsheet model components. Software instructions stored on a memory device and executable by a processor provide for the connection of flowsheet model components by, in response to a received connection indication from a user, suggesting potential connections in response to the connection indication. After further receiving a response from the user confirming the suggested potential connection, an output is rendered on the flowsheet workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Scott Brown, Alexander Chamorro
  • Patent number: 9639606
    Abstract: A host computing device includes a communication subsystem for communicatively coupling the host computing device to one or more user computing devices. The host computing device includes a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem containing instructions executable by the logic subsystem to send a musical soundtrack matching graphical user interface to the one or more user computing devices. The musical soundtrack matching graphical user interface comprises a plurality of user-selectable musical arc descriptor selectors configured to receive input of a user-selected musical arc descriptor selection, wherein each of the user-selectable musical arc descriptor selectors corresponds to a different one of a plurality of musical arc characteristics. The musical soundtrack graphical user interface further includes a results region displaying one or more musical tracks that embody the user-selected musical arc descriptor selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Marmoset, LLC
    Inventors: Justin DeMers, Ryan Matthew Wines
  • Patent number: 9632692
    Abstract: A method and system to implement a quasi-user interface to manage application state transitions by activating quasi-states on an electronic device is disclosed. The method allows a user to maintain the activated quasi-states for an application for the duration determined by the presence of an object within the proximity on the electronic device. The quasi-state activated applications can be switched between a quasi-state and a non-quasi-state supported on the electronic device. Further, the method deactivates the quasi-states and the quasi-user interface when the object is lifted away from the proximity of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dipin Kollencheri Puthenveettil
  • Patent number: 9626150
    Abstract: A computing device detects a user viewing the computing device and outputs a cue if the user is detected to view the computing device. The computing device receives an audio input from the user if the user continues to view the computing device for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Evan Scheessele
  • Patent number: 9619110
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing a user interface to create report specifications and included source definitions for business reporting and analysis. For example, a computing device includes a user interface (UI) module for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) and receiving a selection of a data element at a start location of the GUI. The UI module may display an overlay element having a boundary forming a plurality of paths from the start location to a plurality of end locations, the paths corresponding to a plurality of report options associated with the data element. The UI module may receive a second input indicative of a traversal of the overlay element along a chosen path. The computing device may include a definition module operable to create a definition for a report specification based at least in part on the report option corresponding to the chosen path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ilse M. Breedvelt-Schouten
  • Patent number: 9612735
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing status and progress information on a scrollbar are described. A user opens a software application to perform operations or view items. The application includes a scrollbar in its graphical user interface. The user may perform a plurality of operations. The application determines a position on the scrollbar corresponding to a location of the operation or item. The application determines a status representation corresponding to a status of the operation or item. The application determines a height of a scrollbar segment corresponding to a length of the operation or item. The application displays the status representation in the scrollbar segment at the position. The application may also display changes in the status representation to provide progress information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SNOWFLAKE COMPUTING, INC.
    Inventor: Egan Schulz
  • Patent number: 9602576
    Abstract: Technologies are presented for distributing user interface elements and controls among devices. A user may select an element and/or control of a user interface (UI) of a first application displayed on a first device for shifting to one or more other devices. The additional display area at the first device freed up by the shift may be filled with additional application content or UI elements. The shifted element and/or control may remain usable on the one or more other devices the element and/or control shifted to. Overall, a user may be able to remove and redirect application control elements while viewing additional content on the first device in a fast and transparent process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 9590862
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a group of portable communication devices. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for managing a group of portable communication devices on an individual basis or an aggregate basis, the method comprising the steps of providing a list of the portable communication devices in the group, selecting a target portable communication device, determining the location of the target portable communication device, and presenting the location of the target portable communication device. The method may further comprise the step of determining whether the group has sufficient credit for acquiring the location of the portable communication devices in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Douglas Larocca
  • Patent number: 9588979
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a swipe based file manager navigation mode in electronic computing devices, such as a touch screen device. Digital files may be organized in a hierarchical or treelike file manager capable of having multiple directory or folder levels. Folders (or directories) may allow a user to group files into separate collections, and folders may be organized within other folders. In some embodiments, the navigation mode may allow a user to navigate through or access the directory levels of the file manager using vertical swipe gestures. In some such embodiments, a vertical gesture performed to access a child (lower) directory level may have to be performed over the directory or folder to be accessed. As the user navigates through the directory levels, the navigation mode may be configured, in some embodiments, to provide animations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE BOOKSELLERS, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald B. Cueto, Dale J. Brewer, Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 9575632
    Abstract: Navigation of electronic content using content scrubbing is contemplated. The content scrubbing may include moving from one offset position within the content to another offset position as a function of user interaction with a navigational feature, such as but not necessary limited to scrubbing pages in an e-book or frames in a video according to user interaction with a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mickie Calkins, Hans Loedolff
  • Patent number: 9569080
    Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can display map user interface that includes a language control that a user can select to switch between a default language and a local language. Map information presented on the map user interface can be initially displayed in the default language. The user can select or manipulate the language control to cause the map information to be presented on the local language. The local language can be determined based on the current location of the mobile device. The language control can be displayed when it has been determined that the local language is not the default language. In some implementations, when a map search has been performed using the default language, the search can be automatically performed again in the local language in response to the user switching the map information displayed on the map user interface to the local language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: SungChang Lee
  • Patent number: 9513797
    Abstract: Securing an electronic device and associated information is facilitated. A security component facilitates display and operation of a lock track comprising a locked portion having a positive slope and an unlocked portion, including a chasm, that is adjacent to a high point of the positive-sloped unlocked portion of the lock track. A lock facilitator component (LFC) can be moved along the track between a low point of the locked portion and the unlocked portion. The LFC can be moved in response to received input, and if the input is not sufficient to move the LFC from the locked region to the unlocked region, the LFC can be moved back down the positive-sloped lock track to the low point. The security component can control information to be displayed in an overlay display region in accordance with security level(s) of the device or application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Cristy Swink, Jason Sikes, Eric Brady Burns, Alex Tam, Harry Lawson Kight, Ratna Desai, Alison Rae Maiorano, Katrin Asen, Philip Foeckler, Benjamin Fineman, Jennifer Siu Bettendorff, Sheldon Pacotti, Joseph Filani, Philip Brock, Jonathan Solis Snydal
  • Patent number: 9483549
    Abstract: The management of application state storage associated with a hierarchical application. The hierarchical application includes multiple parent user interface elements, each of at least some having child user interface elements arranged in a corresponding hierarchy. The user may navigate through the hierarchical application. For instance, by selecting a child user interface element of a first parent user interface element having a first hierarchy of child user interface elements, the user might navigate to (and potentially also create) a second parent user interface element having a second hierarchy of child user interface elements. A hierarchical storage agent manages the state of the hierarchical application. The hierarchical storage agent provides application state to a remote storage over an application program interface in a manner that preserves at least some of the hierarchy of one or more parent user interface elements of the hierarchical application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Olenick, Federico Silva Armas, William Y. Moy, Madhur Joshi, Stephen Michael Danton
  • Patent number: 9471220
    Abstract: In one example a computing device includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to output for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys. The at least one processor may be configured to receive an indication of an input detected at a presence-sensitive input device operatively coupled to the computing device; and responsive to receiving the indication, determine an input posture of the input, wherein the input posture represents an orientation of the computing device in relation to an input unit used to provide the input. The at least one processor may be configured to select, based at least in part on the input posture, a spatial model that is used for determining a probability that at least one of the one or more of the plurality of keys has been selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shumin Zhai, Yu Ouyang, Ying Yin
  • Patent number: 9465512
    Abstract: Technology is disclosed for discovering décor harmonized with a décor style (“the technology”). The décor includes décor items, e.g. artworks, paintings, pictures, artifacts, architectural pieces, arrangement of artworks, color selection, room décor, rugs, mats, furnishings, household items, fashion, clothes, jewelry, car interiors, garden arrangements etc. The technology facilitates analyzing user input to identify a décor style from a décor style dictionary, obtaining décor that harmonizes with décor style, and presenting a representation of the décor to the user. The décor style dictionary includes décor styles that are generated based on an analysis of content, including images and description of décor, from a plurality of sources. The décor styles can be based on a number of concepts, including a theme of the décor, a color/color palette, a mood of the person, a fashion era, a type of architecture, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ART.COM, INC.
    Inventors: Nasos Topakas, Paul Golding, Garris Shipon, Thanigai Vellore
  • Patent number: 9460194
    Abstract: The management of application state storage associated with a hierarchical application. The hierarchical application includes multiple parent user interface elements, each of at least some having child user interface elements arranged in a corresponding hierarchy. The user may navigate through the hierarchical application. For instance, by selecting a child user interface element of a first parent user interface element having a first hierarchy of child user interface elements, the user might navigate to (and potentially also create) a second parent user interface element having a second hierarchy of child user interface elements. A hierarchical storage agent manages the state of the hierarchical application. The hierarchical storage agent provides application state to a remote storage over an application program interface in a manner that preserves at least some of the hierarchy of one or more parent user interface elements of the hierarchical application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Olenick, Federico Silva Armas, William Y. Moy, Madhur Joshi, Stephen Michael Danton
  • Patent number: 9459784
    Abstract: Touch interaction with a curved display (e.g., a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, etc.) is facilitated by preserving a predetermined orientation for objects. In an example embodiment, a curved display is monitored to detect a touch input on an object. If a touch input on an object is detected based on the monitoring, then one or more locations of the touch input are determined. The object may be manipulated responsive to the determined one or more locations of the touch input. While manipulation of the object is permitted, a predetermined orientation is preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Hrvoje Benko, Andrew D. Wilson, Billy Chen, Ravin Balakrishnan, Patrick M. Baudisch
  • Patent number: 9456021
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for receiving a set of attributes that identify a pegged area of a page delivered to a user interface during a first browsing session and storing the set of attributes. Additionally, the set of attributes may be used to conduct a subsequent delivery of the pegged area to a user interface during a second browsing session, wherein the subsequent delivery of the pegged area excludes portions of the page that are outside the pegged area. In one example, the subsequent delivery is conducted further based on the type of client device participating in the second browsing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Al Chakra, John A. Feller, Trudy L. Hewitt, Francesco C. Schembari
  • Patent number: 9419935
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 9405558
    Abstract: A method for display-independent execution of a computerized guidance script, the method comprising capturing a screenshot of a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computerized application, analyzing the screenshot for matching a control of the screenshot with a control of the guidance script, and executing the guidance script, based on the matching, to operate the computerized application. Additionally, a display-independent computerized guidance engine, comprising a screenshot analysis engine and a guidance script execution engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: KRYON SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Emma Butin, Oren Keinan