Patents by Inventor Christopher M Vaughan

Christopher M Vaughan 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).

  • Patent number: 9442982
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Patent number: 9396221
    Abstract: Embodiments present a common access mechanism that can be used by one or more applications to access different data sources in a storage layer and have data stored in the data sources returned to the one or more applications. The common access mechanism can be presented by a data model that is implemented by a query and aggregation layer of an extensible querying/scheduling system. At least some individual data sources store data in different formats and have their own specific access mechanisms of which the one or more applications are unaware. In embodiments, the data model creates one or more data providers that are individually associated with individual data sources and knowledgeable of how to access data stored in an associated data source. At least some of the data providers receive queries for data and execute the queries using a different thread than the data model. At least some of the data providers are creatable on a thread that is a same thread as the data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 9292578
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Publication number: 20140222868
    Abstract: Embodiments present a common access mechanism that can be used by one or more applications to access different data sources in a storage layer and have data stored in the data sources returned to the one or more applications. The common access mechanism can be presented by a data model that is implemented by a query and aggregation layer of an extensible querying/scheduling system. At least some individual data sources store data in different formats and have their own specific access mechanisms of which the one or more applications are unaware. In embodiments, the data model creates one or more data providers that are individually associated with individual data sources and knowledgeable of how to access data stored in an associated data source. At least some of the data providers receive queries for data and execute the queries using a different thread than the data model. At least some of the data providers are creatable on a thread that is a same thread as the data model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 8700596
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a query and aggregation layer that is communicatively coupled to, and independent of, a presentation layer and a storage layer. The query and aggregation layer includes a data model configured to expose an access mechanism that is usable to access different data sources in the storage layer. A search query is received from the presentation layer, and one or more data providers identified in the search query are ascertained. At least some of the data providers are creatable on a same thread as that of the data model. Also, the search query is issued to identified data providers in the query and aggregation layer effective to cause the identified data providers to execute the search query on data sources associated with the identified data providers. Additionally, search results are received at the data model from the identified data providers and returned to the presentation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 8683374
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a Web browser is configured to enable a user to open a new tab and, responsively, display one or more activities in a new tab page for the user. The user can then select, from the new tab page, one or more activities to be performed. In at least some embodiments, a user can select an object in a first tab page, open a new tab page, and select an activity on the new tab page that is to be performed relative to the selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Nathan J. E. Furtwangler, Ronald O. Forbes, Jane T. Kim
  • Publication number: 20130304750
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Publication number: 20130275415
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Patent number: 8510313
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Publication number: 20120150875
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Publication number: 20120124024
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a query and aggregation layer that is communicatively coupled to, and independent of, a presentation layer and a storage layer. The query and aggregation layer includes a data model configured to expose an access mechanism that is usable to access different data sources in the storage layer. A search query is received from the presentation layer, and one or more data providers identified in the search query are ascertained. At least some of the data providers are creatable on a same thread as that of the data model. Also, the search query is issued to identified data providers in the query and aggregation layer effective to cause the identified data providers to execute the search query on data sources associated with the identified data providers. Additionally, search results are received at the data model from the identified data providers and returned to the presentation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 8131731
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle
  • Patent number: 8122000
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an independent layer between an application user interface and various data sources so that both the user interface and data sources can be added to, removed, or modified without affecting the other. The independent layer provides scalability to allow data sources and data providers to be plugged into a system in an easy manner. In one or more embodiments, the independent layer provides a common set of query APIs that can be used by client applications to make queries on one or more data sources. The independent layer then communicates the queries to one or more data providers associated with individual data sources. Queries are executed on the data sources and results are returned back up through the data providers and independent layer for consumption by a client application. In at least some embodiments, the client application comprises a web browser that makes use of the independent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Publication number: 20110078185
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an independent layer between an application user interface and various data sources so that both the user interface and data sources can be added to, removed, or modified without affecting the other. The independent layer provides scalability to allow data sources and data providers to be plugged into a system in an easy manner. In one or more embodiments, the independent layer provides a common set of query APIs that can be used by client applications to make queries on one or more data sources. The independent layer then communicates the queries to one or more data providers associated with individual data sources. Queries are executed on the data sources and results are returned back up through the data providers and independent layer for consumption by a client application. In at least some embodiments, the client application comprises a web browser that makes use of the independent layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 7849067
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an independent layer between an application user interface and various data sources so that both the user interface and data sources can be added to, removed, or modified without affecting the other. The independent layer provides scalability to allow data sources and data providers to be plugged into a system in an easy manner. In one or more embodiments, the independent layer provides a common set of query APIs that can be used by client applications to make queries on one or more data sources. The independent layer then communicates the queries to one or more data providers associated with individual data sources. Queries are executed on the data sources and results are returned back up through the data providers and independent layer for consumption by a client application. In at least some embodiments, the client application comprises a web browser that makes use of the independent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Publication number: 20090319938
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a Web browser is configured to enable a user to open a new tab and, responsively, display one or more activities in a new tab page for the user. The user can then select, from the new tab page, one or more activities to be performed. In at least some embodiments, a user can select an object in a first tab page, open a new tab page, and select an activity on the new tab page that is to be performed relative to the selected object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Nathan J.E. Furtwangler, Ronald O. Forbes, Jane T. Kim
  • Publication number: 20090198649
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an independent layer between an application user interface and various data sources so that both the user interface and data sources can be added to, removed, or modified without affecting the other. The independent layer provides scalability to allow data sources and data providers to be plugged into a system in an easy manner. In one or more embodiments, the independent layer provides a common set of query APIs that can be used by client applications to make queries on one or more data sources. The independent layer then communicates the queries to one or more data providers associated with individual data sources. Queries are executed on the data sources and results are returned back up through the data providers and independent layer for consumption by a client application. In at least some embodiments, the client application comprises a web browser that makes use of the independent layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta
  • Publication number: 20090171930
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaughan, Oliver Wallace, Carlos Yeung, Amit Gupta, Christophe Marle