Patents by Inventor Bret P. Anderson
Bret P. Anderson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120304092Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a multi-application environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable multi-application environments having combinations of immersive interfaces, windows-based interfaces, and a desktop treated as an immersive interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Robert J. Jarrett, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Tsz Yan Wong, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Patrice L. Miner, Jensen Harris, David A. Matthews, Jennifer Nan, Matthew I. Worley
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Publication number: 20120304132Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for switching back to a previously-interacted-with application. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable selection of a user interface not currently exposed on a display through a simple gesture that is both easy-to-use and remember.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Matthew I. Worley, Bret P. Anderson, Nils A. Sundelin, Patrice L. Miner, Jennifer Nan, Robert J. Jarrett, David A. Matthews
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Publication number: 20120299968Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Patrice L. Miner, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Robert J. Jarrett, Jennifer Nan
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Publication number: 20120304114Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Patrice L. Miner, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Robert J. Jarrett, Jennifer Nan, Matthew I. Worley
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Patent number: 8296670Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David A Matthews, Chaitanya D Sareen, Patrice L Miner, Bret P Anderson, Jason Silvis
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Publication number: 20120249579Abstract: A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: David A. Matthews, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, Jared C. Simpson, Pai-Hung Chen, Patrice L. Miner
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Patent number: 8214760Abstract: A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David A. Matthews, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, Jared C. Simpson, Pai-Hung Chen, Patrice L. Miner
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Publication number: 20120159382Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive environment. These techniques and/or apparatuses enable a user to select when, where, or under what conditions to present applications in this immersive environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: David A. Matthews, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Stephan Hoefnagels, Rolf A. Ebeling, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Matthew I. Worley, Gabriel S. DeBacker, Robert J. Jarrett
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Publication number: 20100077347Abstract: An application status system is described herein that informs the user about application-specific status updates and notifications through a changing status icon associated with an application-switching user interface displayed by an operating system when the application is running. When an application has focus, there is typically no way for another application to display status to the user without displaying a dialog box or a notification balloon that interrupts the user. The application status system takes advantage of the existing application-switching user interface to display a lightweight status icon overlay on the application-switching user interface itself. Thus, the application status system allows applications to provide application-specific status updates without interrupting a user's activity in another application and without adding additional UI for a user to process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Latika Kirtane, Chaitanya D. Sareen, Bret P. Anderson
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Publication number: 20100070922Abstract: Described is distinguishing between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Pasquale DeMaio, Matthew R. Lerner, Charles Cummins, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, David A. Matthews, Isabelo Valentin de los Reyes, Joseph H. Matthews, III
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Publication number: 20100063967Abstract: A unified user interface is described that allows a user to search, browse, and launch items from the same user interface. For example, a single text input box may be provided that allows the user to perform all these functions by typing in a portion of an item name or an entire item name. The various functions may be selectively performed depending upon the text inputted by the user into the text input box. For example, where the text appears to be the beginning of an item name, then those items matching the input text will dynamically appear as the user types. Or, where the text appears to be the beginning of a file path, then items in that file path may be presented. In addition, advanced items such as system files may be suppressed so that inexperienced users do not accidentally stumble across these items.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: BRET P. ANDERSON, DAVID A. MATTHEWS, MATTHEW A. LERNER, SONG ZOU
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Patent number: 7630975Abstract: A unified user interface is described that allows a user to search, browse, and launch items from the same user interface. For example, a single text input box may be provided that allows the user to perform all these functions by typing in a portion of an item name or an entire item name. The various functions may be selectively performed depending upon the text inputted by the user into the text input box. For example, where the text appears to be the beginning of an item name, then those items matching the input text will dynamically appear as the user types. Or, where the text appears to be the beginning of a file path, then items in that file path may be presented. In addition, advanced items such as system files may be suppressed so that inexperienced users do not accidentally stumble across these items.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Bret P. Anderson, David A. Matthews, Matthew A. Lerner, Song Zou
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Publication number: 20090288044Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: DAVID A. MATTHEWS, CHAITANYA D. SAREEN, PATRICE L. MINER, BRET P. ANDERSON, JASON SILVIS
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Patent number: 7600194Abstract: Described is distinguishing between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Pasquale DeMaio, Matthew R. Lerner, Charles Cummins, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, David A. Matthews, Isabelo Valentin de los Reyes, Joseph H. Matthews, III
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Publication number: 20090193364Abstract: Methods, user interfaces, and computer-readable media for displaying thumbnail copies of running items for a particular running application on a display are provided. The displayed thumbnail copies are interactive, and provide the user with an easy and efficient way to identify and manage multiple items, such as windows, that are concurrently running. The thumbnail copies are either snapshots or real-time displays of the corresponding running items, depending on whether the running item is minimized or maximized at the time the thumbnail copies are displayed. The user interacts with the thumbnail copies by choosing to either close a particular running item by selecting the closing icon on the corresponding thumbnail copy, or view a particular running item on the display by selecting the corresponding thumbnail in any location other than the closing icon.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: ROBERT J. JARRETT, BRET P. ANDERSON, STEPHAN HOEFNAGELS, CHAITANYA DEV SAREEN
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Publication number: 20090183107Abstract: A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: DAVID A. MATTHEWS, SONG ZOU, BRET P. ANDERSON, JARED SIMPSON, PAI-HUNG CHEN
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Publication number: 20080033926Abstract: Various embodiments provide a search tool that utilizes multiple different search engines. The individual search engines are configured to conduct searches in different ways across a search space that includes different types of data sets. In at least some embodiments, the type of search engine that is utilized is a function of characteristics of the data set(s) that is (are) to be searched. In search spaces that include different types of data sets, combining and mixing different search engines to collectively search the search space can provide a desirably fast and robust user experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David A. Matthews, Matthew R. Lerner, David G. De Vorchik, Stuart Sechrest, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson
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Publication number: 20070239727Abstract: A unified user interface is described that allows a user to search, browse, and launch items from the same user interface. For example, a single text input box may be provided that allows the user to perform all these functions by typing in a portion of an item name or an entire item name. The various functions may be selectively performed depending upon the text inputted by the user into the text input box. For example, where the text appears to be the beginning of an item name, then those items matching the input text will dynamically appear as the user types. Or, where the text appears to be the beginning of a file path, then items in that file path may be presented. In addition, advanced items such as system files may be suppressed so that inexperienced users do not accidentally stumble across these items.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Bret P. Anderson, David A. Matthews, Matthew A. Lerner, Song Zou