Patents by Inventor John M. Thornton
John M. Thornton 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: 9020183Abstract: An image to be shared with other users based on input from a first user is received. A second user is identified from a tag of the image, and information is provided, based at least in part on the tag, to one or both of the first user and the second user. Additionally, after editing of an image a determination can be made as to whether a region of the image having an associated tag has been affected by the editing. The tag associated with the region is altered if the region has been affected by the editing, otherwise the tag associated with the region is left unaltered. Furthermore, the tag can include a first portion storing data identifying a region of the image to which the tag corresponds, and a second portion storing data identifying a person shown in the region.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Sr., Bryan P. Ferguson, Gyorgy K. Schadt, Aanand Narayanan Pulamanthole Pisharathu
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Publication number: 20150016691Abstract: An image having a region tagged by a first user is obtained. The tag can include a first label of a person in the region, and the label can be used by the first user to identify the person in the region. Then, a second label of the person is determined. In implementations, the second label is used by a second user to identify the person in the region. The image is then displayed with the second label when displaying the image for the second user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Bryan P. Ferguson, Aanand Narayanan Pisharathu, Ryan A. Kabir, Shanjeef Satchithanantham, Eric Richards, Eric W. Doerr, William D. Sproule, Shawn L. Morrissey, Mindy C. King
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Patent number: 8867779Abstract: A global tag for an image is received identifies one or more objects in the image, and a region-specific tag for the image identifies one or more objects in a region of the image. The global tag and the region-specific tag are stored with the image. Displayed, along with the image, is an identifier for each of the one or more objects identified in the global tag, and an identifier for each of the one or more objects identified in the region-specific tag. Different users are able to maintain different names for the same person, allowing the same tag of the image to be used as the basis for displaying the image with different names for the different users. Additionally, the tags can be used as a basis for generating a credits list of people that are included in a compilation of images.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Bryan P. Ferguson, Aanand Narayanan Pisharathu, Ryan A. Kabir, Shanjeef Satchithanantham, Eric Richards, Eric W. Doerr, William D. Sproule, Shawn L. Morrissey, Mindy C. King
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Patent number: 8577872Abstract: Typical users may be interested in viewing photos of people with whom they maintain true social contact. In one example, a person's true social network may be inferred from photo tagging history. Social contacts tend to tag each other in photos, while other types of contacts (e.g., business contacts) are less likely to tag each other in photos. Thus, in order to determine what photos to show to a given user, people may be scored based on how often the user has tagged those people in photos, and also on how often those other people have tagged the user. Those people who have high scores may be presumed to be socially close to the given user. Photos containing people who have received high scores may be selected, and the selected photos may be shown to the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Alexander Schokking, John M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20130260848Abstract: Techniques for implementing a guessing threshold for a game challenge are described. In at least some embodiments, a guessing threshold can specify a number of “guesses” that a player is permitted to make during a particular period of time. For example, a guess can be an incorrect solution to a game challenge, a correct solution to a game challenge that was previously provided during a game session, an incorrect solution to a game challenge that is not a legitimate solution attempt, and so on. In implementations, if a player exceeds the guessing threshold during a particular period of time, the player can be warned and/or penalized. For example, the player can be locked out of gameplay for a penalty period and/or the player can be docked a number of points.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Elissa Ann Cahill, Jason M. Cahill, John M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20130067346Abstract: A content user experience is described. In one or more implementations, a user interface is displayed that has selectable representations of content sources, at least one of which is available via a network. Responsive to selection of one or more of the content sources via the user interface, representations of content are displayed in the user interface using metadata obtained from the selected one or more content sources, the representations arranged according to a hierarchy used at a respective content source to arrange access to the content. Responsive to selection of one or more of the representations via the user interface; the content is obtained that corresponds to the selected representations and the obtained content is displayed in the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel Rosenstein, Brian D. Remick, Mark Sievert Larsen, Allison A. O'Mahony, Jason M. Cahill, Carmen Zlateff, Francisco J. Garica-Ascanio, Omar Khalid, John M. Thornton, Michael I. Torres, Ignatius Setiadi, Chun-Kit J. Chan, Ronald L. Wessels, Michael F. Palermiti, Rachel K. Popkin
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Patent number: 8396246Abstract: An image to be shared with other users based on input from a first user is received. A second user is identified from a tag of the image, and information is provided, based at least in part on the tag, to one or both of the first user and the second user. Additionally, after editing of an image a determination can be made as to whether a region of the image having an associated tag has been affected by the editing. The tag associated with the region is altered if the region has been affected by the editing, otherwise the tag associated with the region is left unaltered. Furthermore, the tag can include a first portion storing data identifying a region of the image to which the tag corresponds, and a second portion storing data identifying a person shown in the region.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Bryan P. Ferguson, Gyorgy K. Schadt, Aanand Narayanan Pisharathu
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Publication number: 20130043135Abstract: A metal part is surface treated using anodization and plating processes to produce different finishes on selective regions of the metal part. The different finishes can contrast in decorative appearance (such as color, shininess and texture) and structural properties (such as wear resistance).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brian P. Demers, Napthaneal Y. Tan, John M. Thornton
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Patent number: 8041738Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a tag is provided and includes a property that associates a strongly typed variable with the tag. Strongly typed variables can include any suitable types. For example, in at least some embodiments, the strongly typed variable is a people type that allows the tag to be associated with an individual person or group of people by virtue of a unique identification that is associated with the person or group. Strongly typed tags can then serve as a foundation upon which various other types of information and services can be provided to enhance the user experience.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason S. Flaks, John M. Thornton, Ryan Kabir
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Publication number: 20110131254Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a tag is provided and includes a property that associates a strongly typed variable with the tag. Strongly typed variables can include any suitable types. For example, in at least some embodiments, the strongly typed variable is a people type that allows the tag to be associated with an individual person or group of people by virtue of a unique identification that is associated with the person or group. Strongly typed tags can then serve as a foundation upon which various other types of information and services can be provided to enhance the user experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason S. Flaks, John M. Thornton, Ryan Kabir
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Publication number: 20110087674Abstract: Typical users may be interested in viewing photos of people with whom they maintain true social contact. In one example, a person's true social network may be inferred from photo tagging history. Social contacts tend to tag each other in photos, while other types of contacts (e.g., business contacts) are less likely to tag each other in photos. Thus, in order to determine what photos to show to a given user, people may be scored based on how often the user has tagged those people in photos, and also on how often those other people have tagged the user. Those people who have high scores may be presumed to be socially close to the given user. Photos containing people who have received high scores may be selected, and the selected photos may be shown to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Schokking, John M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20110078097Abstract: Face data sharing techniques are described. In an implementation, face data for a training image that includes a tag is discovered in memory on a computing system. The face data is for a training image that includes a tag associated with a face. The face data is replicated in a location in memory, on another computing system, so the face data is discoverable.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: John M. Thornton, Stephen M. Liffick, Tomasz S.M. Kasperkiewicz
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Patent number: 7912860Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a tag is provided and includes a property that associates a strongly typed variable with the tag. Strongly typed variables can include any suitable types. For example, in at least some embodiments, the strongly typed variable is a people type that allows the tag to be associated with an individual person or group of people by virtue of a unique identification that is associated with the person or group. Strongly typed tags can then serve as a foundation upon which various other types of information and services can be provided to enhance the user experience.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason S. Flaks, John M. Thornton, Ryan Kabir
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Publication number: 20100054601Abstract: A global tag for an image is received identifies one or more objects in the image, and a region-specific tag for the image identifies one or more objects in a region of the image. The global tag and the region-specific tag are stored with the image. Displayed, along with the image, is an identifier for each of the one or more objects identified in the global tag, and an identifier for each of the one or more objects identified in the region-specific tag. Different users are able to maintain different names for the same person, allowing the same tag of the image to be used as the basis for displaying the image with different names for the different users. Additionally, the tags can be used as a basis for generating a credits list of people that are included in a compilation of images.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Bryan P. Ferguson, Aanand Narayanan Pisharathu, Ryan A. Kabir, Shanjeef Satchithanantham, Eric Richards, Eric W. Doerr, William D. Sproule, Shawn L. Morrissey, Mindy C. King
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Publication number: 20100054600Abstract: An image to be shared with other users based on input from a first user is received. A second user is identified from a tag of the image, and information is provided, based at least in part on the tag, to one or both of the first user and the second user. Additionally, after editing of an image a determination can be made as to whether a region of the image having an associated tag has been affected by the editing. The tag associated with the region is altered if the region has been affected by the editing, otherwise the tag associated with the region is left unaltered. Furthermore, the tag can include a first portion storing data identifying a region of the image to which the tag corresponds, and a second portion storing data identifying a person shown in the region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Bryan P. Ferguson, Gyorgy K. Schadt, Aanand Narayanan Pisharathu
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Patent number: 7647361Abstract: A technology for automatically saving an original copy of an image file in a location hidden from a user is disclosed. The technology accesses metadata associated with an image file and determines whether an original copy of the image file exists. Provided an original copy of the image file exists, an edited version of the image file along with an identifier is saved. If an original copy of the image file does not exist, an original copy of the image file is created, the original copy of the image file is stored, and an edited version of the image file along with an identifier is saved.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John M. Thornton, David R. Parlin, Eric J. Wright
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Patent number: 7620215Abstract: A method for applying localized image effects to digital images is provided. The method includes receiving a selection representing a location in proximity to a region in the digital image requiring one or more correction. The region requiring correction is processed by an image processing engine to determine the boundaries of the region. The image processing engine applies one or more image effects to the region and varies an intensity level associated with each image effect according to the number clicks received at the location in proximity to the region requiring the correction.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David R. Parlin, John M. Thornton, Michael H. Kim, Michael J. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20080320027Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a tag is provided and includes a property that associates a strongly typed variable with the tag. Strongly typed variables can include any suitable types. For example, in at least some embodiments, the strongly typed variable is a people type that allows the tag to be associated with an individual person or group of people by virtue of a unique identification that is associated with the person or group. Strongly typed tags can then serve as a foundation upon which various other types of information and services can be provided to enhance the user experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason S. Flaks, John M. Thornton, Ryan Kabir
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Patent number: 7369117Abstract: A system for using computer input devices with software applications is disclosed. The system includes an input device mapper API, which uses a language of semantics as an interface between input devices and software applications. The input device mapper receives information about which semantics the devices connected to the computer are able to implement, and which semantics correspond to actions that a user can request the software to perform. The input device mapper maps controls on the available devices into user-requestable software actions by matching, as closely as possible, device controls and software actions that correspond to the same semantic. The system thus makes input devices and software applications transparent to each other, and permits a software application to be designed to operate without regard to which input device is being used to control its actions.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: C. Shane Evans, Marcus J. Andrews, Om K. Sharma, James E. Veres, John M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20070299888Abstract: A technology for automatically saving an original copy of an image file in a location hidden from a user is disclosed. The technology accesses metadata associated with an image file and determines whether an original copy of the image file exists. Provided an original copy of the image file exists, an edited version of the image file along with an identifier is saved. If an original copy of the image file does not exist, an original copy of the image file is created, the original copy of the image file is stored, and an edited version of the image file along with an identifier is saved.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2006Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John M. Thornton, David R. Parlin, Eric J. Wright