Patents by Inventor Darren Alexander Apfel
Darren Alexander Apfel 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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Patent number: 10832211Abstract: Extraction and provision of message identification information to a productivity application for enabling the productivity application to provide an embedded communication experience in association with an attachment file is provided. A message including an attachment is received via a messaging application. Upon receiving a selection to open the attachment from within the messaging application, the attachment file is opened in a productivity application, and various parameters associated with the message are extracted. A path including the various parameters is constructed and passed to a productivity application, thus allowing the productivity application to provide a persisted conversation in a user interface of the productivity application for viewing of and interaction with the conversation.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: George Arthur Herbert, III, Elena Catrinescu, Darren Alexander Apfel, Alexander William Darrow, Rebecca Jean Lawler, Philip Z. Loh, Joseph Patrick Masterson
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Patent number: 10810204Abstract: Access to attachments of electronic messages and information associated with the electronic messages to applications external to a messaging application is provided. A message including an attachment is received via a messaging application, and a relationship connecting the message to the attachment is stored in a graph database. When a request is made to display a file list, an API is used to interact with the graph database. Attachments that meet a criterion associated with the file list and associated metadata are included in the list. Responsive to a selection to open an attachment, a productivity application communicates with the messaging application to retrieve the attachment and associated messages, and displays the attachment in a content display region and associated messages and messaging application functionalities in a communications pane in a single productivity application user interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Alex William Darrow, Darren Alexander Apfel, Rebecca Jean Lawler, Philip Z. Loh, Jason Andrew Cook, Joseph Patrick Masterson
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Patent number: 10586211Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a collaborative object are provided. A collaborative object may be associated with a user interface that enables one or more users to interact regarding various tasks during the planning and execution of a project. In aspects, the collaborative object may include a task list, an associated document, compiled information and/or communications related to a project. In further aspects, the collaborative object, along with associated information, may be shared with other users as a resource for future projects. Permissions may be set on a collaborative object such that recipients may be allowed varying access to the task list, document, compiled materials and/or communications associated with the collaborative object.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Hayley Lynn Steplyk, Kathleen Rae Thompson, Kenneth Fern, David Paul Limont, Joseph Patrick Masterson, Darren Alexander Apfel, Rebecca Jean Lawler
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Patent number: 10154385Abstract: In implementations of creating a communication group, a mobile device can receive a selection to enable communication of location information between devices that correspond to entities from a group of entities associated with a user of the mobile device. The mobile device can receive location information that describes a physical location or proximity of the devices that correspond to the entities, and present in a user interface on a display device, a visual representation that indicates at least one of the entities is at a location within a pre-set distance of the mobile device. A communication group can be created that includes the entities selected from the group of entities associated with the user of the mobile device. The mobile device can also communicate the location information of the mobile device to all of the devices that correspond to the entities as a group communication based on the communication group.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Darren Alexander Apfel, Jonathan David Friedman, Keith Lindsey Rowe, Rosanna H. Ho, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter Andrew Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Publication number: 20180246933Abstract: Access to attachments of electronic messages and information associated with the electronic messages to applications external to a messaging application is provided. A message including an attachment is received via a messaging application, and a relationship connecting the message to the attachment is stored in a graph database. When a request is made to display a file list, an API is used to interact with the graph database. Attachments that meet a criterion associated with the file list and associated metadata are included in the list. Responsive to a selection to open an attachment, a productivity application communicates with the messaging application to retrieve the attachment and associated messages, and displays the attachment in a content display region and associated messages and messaging application functionalities in a communications pane in a single productivity application user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Alex William Darrow, Darren Alexander Apfel, Rebecca Jean Lawler, Philip Z. Loh, Jason Andrew Cook, Joseph Patrick Masterson
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Publication number: 20180248822Abstract: Extraction and provision of message identification information to a productivity application for enabling the productivity application to provide an embedded communication experience in association with an attachment file is provided. A message including an attachment is received via a messaging application. Upon receiving a selection to open the attachment from within the messaging application, the attachment file is opened in a productivity application, and various parameters associated with the message are extracted. A path including the various parameters is constructed and passed to a productivity application, thus allowing the productivity application to provide a persisted conversation in a user interface of the productivity application for viewing of and interaction with the conversation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: George Arthur Herbert, III, Elena Catrinescu, Darren Alexander Apfel, Alexander William Darrow, Rebecca Jean Lawler, Philip Z. Loh, Joseph Patrick Masterson
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Publication number: 20170364866Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a collaborative object are provided. A collaborative object may be associated with a user interface that enables one or more users to interact regarding various tasks during the planning and execution of a project. In aspects, the collaborative object may include a task list, an associated document, compiled information and/or communications related to a project. In further aspects, the collaborative object, along with associated information, may be shared with other users as a resource for future projects. Permissions may be set on a collaborative object such that recipients may be allowed varying access to the task list, document, compiled materials and/or communications associated with the collaborative object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Hayley Lynn Steplyk, Kathleen Rae Thompson, Kenneth Fern, David Paul Limont, Joseph Patrick Masterson, Darren Alexander Apfel, Rebecca Jean Lawler
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Publication number: 20170164164Abstract: In implementations of creating a communication group, a mobile device can receive a selection to enable communication of location information between devices that correspond to entities from a group of entities associated with a user of the mobile device. The mobile device can receive location information that describes a physical location or proximity of the devices that correspond to the entities, and present in a user interface on a display device, a visual representation that indicates at least one of the entities is at a location within a pre-set distance of the mobile device. A communication group can be created that includes the entities selected from the group of entities associated with the user of the mobile device. The mobile device can also communicate the location information of the mobile device to all of the devices that correspond to the entities as a group communication based on the communication group.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Darren Alexander Apfel, Jonathan David Friedman, Keith Lindsey Rowe, Rosanna H. Ho, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter Andrew Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Patent number: 9578468Abstract: This document describes tools capable of enabling users of mobile communication devices to create communication groups quickly and easily. With such a communication group a user may call, text, or instant message all persons in the group at once by selecting the communication group rather than each person in the group. In one embodiment, the tools enable a user to build a communication group by dragging and dropping indicators for persons he or she knows from one area of a screen into another area. In another embodiment, the tools automatically collect persons from those that the user knows based on one or more criteria. The user may then easily create a communication group of those collected persons, such as by tapping on an area of a mobile device's display.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Darren Alexander Apfel, Jonathan David Friedman, Keith Lindsey Rowe, Rosanna H. Ho, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter Andrew Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Publication number: 20140135052Abstract: This document describes tools capable of enabling users of mobile communication devices to create communication groups quickly and easily. With such a communication group a user may call, text, or instant message all persons in the group at once by selecting the communication group rather than each person in the group. In one embodiment, the tools enable a user to build a communication group by dragging and dropping indicators for persons he or she knows from one area of a screen into another area. In another embodiment, the tools automatically collect persons from those that the user knows based on one or more criteria. The user may then easily create a communication group of those collected persons, such as by tapping on an area of a mobile device's display.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren Alexander Apfel, Jonathan David Friedman, Keith Lindsey Rowe, Rosanna H. Ho, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter Andrew Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Patent number: 7185116Abstract: Mechanisms for a messaging application program (e.g., an e-mail or instant messaging application program) to render information on a display. A server may download different template sets (or the client may otherwise access such template sets) to different client computing systems. Each template is usable by the messaging application program at the respective client to render a display screen in accordance with the display capabilities and/or the user display preferences and settings of the respective client computing system. The messaging application program is allowed to stay the same, while variances due to different display capabilities and/or user display preferences and settings are accommodated by the different template sets.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren Alexander Apfel, David Milstein, Avner Sander
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Patent number: 7139555Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for maintaining current contact and metadata information for one or more contacts. A mobile phone stores contact information for multiple forms of mobile phone communication with the contacts. Each contact is identified as either an automatic live contact to be synchronized as new information becomes available or as another contact that will not be synchronized as new information becomes available. The mobile phone communicates the contacts to a data service provider for backup storage and update processing. From automatic contact and metadata information updates initiated by and received from the data service provider the mobile phone periodically updates automatic live contacts. Based on the synchronized contact and metadata information, the mobile phone initiates communication with one of the contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Darren Alexander Apfel
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Patent number: 6973299Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for maintaining current contact and metadata information for one or more contacts. A mobile phone stores contact information for multiple forms of mobile phone communication with the contacts. Each contact is identified as either an automatic live contact to be synchronized as new information becomes available or as another contact that will not be synchronized as new information becomes available. The mobile phone communicates the contacts to a data service provider for backup storage and update processing. From automatic contact and metadata information updates initiated by and received from the data service provider the mobile phone periodically updates automatic live contacts. Based on the synchronized contact and metadata information, the mobile phone initiates communication with one of the contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Darren Alexander Apfel
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Patent number: 6799301Abstract: A converter converts between structured language elements and objects embeddable in the native format of a document editor. A data structure representing the embeddable object is created without instantiating an instance of the object and includes the associated structured language element. Subsequently, the structured language element is used to instantiate an object and set its properties. Any portion of the structured language element not recognized during the conversion process is retained by the embeddable object. If conversion back to a structured language element is subsequently required, the conversion process is facilitated by the presence of the original structured language element within the embeddable object as well as the retained portion of the structured language element not recognized.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: James Lee Francis, Frank Mantek, Andrew Layman, Robert A. Little, Darren Alexander Apfel
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Publication number: 20040128358Abstract: Mechanisms for a messaging application program (e.g., an e-mail or instant messaging application program) to render information on a display. A server may download different template sets (or the client may otherwise access such template sets) to different client computing systems. Each template is usable by the messaging application program at the respective client to render a display screen in accordance with the display capabilities and/or the user display preferences and settings of the respective client computing system. The messaging application program is allowed to stay the same, while variances due to different display capabilities and/or user display preferences and settings are accommodated by the different template sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Darren Alexander Apfel, David Milstein, Avner Sander
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Publication number: 20040122965Abstract: Mechanisms that provide the user of a wireless device with a seemingly on-line experience with a network service such as e-mail or instant messaging even though the wireless device is not continuously connected through a carrier network to a server computing system that facilitates the network service. This is accomplished by quickly communicating information required to maintain the on-line experience whether mobile-terminated or mobile-originated. If a data connection is currently established, then the information may be communicated over that data connection. However, if a data connection is not established, the information (or a portion thereof) may be communicated using a transfer mechanism such as SMS that does not require a connection to the carrier network.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventor: Darren Alexander Apfel
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Patent number: 6182092Abstract: A converter converts between structured language elements and objects embeddable in the native format of a document editor. A data structure representing the embeddable object is created without instantiating an instance of the object and includes the associated structured language element. Subsequently, the structured language element is used to instantiate an object and set its properties. Any portion of the structured language element not recognized during the conversion process is retained by the embeddable object. If conversion back to a structured language element is subsequently required, the conversion process is facilitated by the presence of the original structured language element within the embeddable object as well as the retained portion of the structured language element not recognized.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: James Lee Francis, Frank Mantek, Andrew Layman, Robert A. Little, Darren Alexander Apfel