Patents by Inventor Erica Sanders
Erica Sanders 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: 8352874Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Asta Glatzer, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Eugene Zarakhovsky
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Patent number: 7895524Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Publication number: 20100257460Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: MELORA ZANER, EUGENE MESGAR, NEEL ISHWAR MURARKA, ASTA GLATZER, KATHLEEN MULCAHY, RAMA RANGANATH, ERICA SANDERS, CESARE JOHN SARETTO, TAMMY SAVAGE, JOHN VERT, EUGENE ZARAKHOVSKY
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Publication number: 20100229105Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: MELORA ZANER, KATHLEEN MULCAHY, ERICA SANDERS, CESARE JOHN SARETTO, EUGENE ZARAKHOVSKY, EUGENE MESGAR, NEEL ISHWAR MURARKA, HEATHER FERGUSON, ASTA GLATZER, RAMA RANGANATH, TAMMY SAVAGE, JOHN VERT, LINDA STONE
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Patent number: 7747956Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Patent number: 7721216Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Asta Glatzer, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Eugene Zarakhovsky
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Patent number: 7689922Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Patent number: 7516409Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. Thus, the server-based card exchange appears to users as an exchange in the physical world.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Eun-Kyung Chung, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Tammy Savage, Linda Stone, John Vert
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Patent number: 7373609Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has a front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that the recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. Thus, the sewer-based card exchange appears to users as an exchange in the physical world.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Eun-Kyung Chung, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Tammy Savage, Linda Stone, John Vert
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Patent number: 7234117Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarakhovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Patent number: 7149977Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has a front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that the recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. Thus, the server-based card exchange appears to users as an exchange in the physical world.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarakhovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Eun-Kyung Chung, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Tammy Savage, Linda Stone, John Vert
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Publication number: 20060190828Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Publication number: 20060190827Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Publication number: 20060190829Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Publication number: 20060168544Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. The exchange of the card, although server-based, appears to users to simply be a transfer of the card from the owner, or other party, to the recipient, much as a card changes hands in the physical world.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: July 27, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Cesare Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Murarka, Eun-Kyung Chung, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Tammy Savage, Linda Stone, John Vert
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Publication number: 20060167957Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. The exchange of the card, although server-based, appears to users to simply be a transfer of the card from the owner, or other party, to the recipient, much as a card changes hands in the physical world.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: July 27, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Cesare Saretto, Eugene Zarahovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Murarka, Eun-Kyung Chung, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Tammy Savage, Linda Stone, John Vert
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Publication number: 20040041836Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Kathleen Mulcahy, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarakhovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Heather Ferguson, Asta Glatzer, Rama Ranganath, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Linda Stone
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Publication number: 20040042599Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. The exchange of the card, although server-based, appears to users to simply be a transfer of the card from the owner, or other party, to the recipient, much as a card changes hands in the physical world.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Cesare John Saretto, Eugene Zarakhovsky, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Eun-Kyungr Chung, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Tammy Savage, Linda Stone, John Vert
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Publication number: 20030233650Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Melora Zaner, Eugene Mesgar, Neel Ishwar Murarka, Asta Glatzer, Kathleen Mulcahy, Rama Ranganath, Erica Sanders, Cesare John Saretto, Tammy Savage, John Vert, Eugene Zarakhovsky