Patents by Inventor Michael D. Dodd

Michael D. Dodd 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: 8701020
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for overlaying information related to a text message onto a video. In one example, a method includes receiving communication data at a first computing device that is sent from a second computing device while the first and second computing devices are engaged in a real-time video communication, wherein the communication data comprises video data. The method also includes displaying the video data on a display of the first computing device and receiving a text-based message at the first computing device that is sent from the second computing device during the real-time video communication. The method further includes overlaying information related to the text-based message onto the video data displayed on the display of the first computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Fulcher, Michael D. Dodd, Evan Miller, Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 7944863
    Abstract: Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Smith, James A. Baldwin, Michael D. Dodd, Peter T. Barrett, David C. Clifford, Grant D. Mohr, Dustin L. Green
  • Patent number: 7813268
    Abstract: Strategies are described for performing retry analysis in an environment which involves the transmission of media information from a source module to a target module. In the context of the source module, the retry analysis determines whether the source module should satisfy the retry requests issued by the target module. In the context of the target module, the retry analysis determines whether the target module should generate the retry requests in the first place. Novel request reporting formats are also described. The target module performs analysis to determine what reporting format it should use to convey the retry requests to the source module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dustin L. Green, Geoffrey R Smith, David C. Clifford, Michael D. Dodd, Peter T. Barrett, Grant D Mohr
  • Publication number: 20090077255
    Abstract: Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Smith, James A. Baldwin, Michael D. Dodd, Peter T. Barrett, David C. Clifford, Grant D. Mohr, Dustin L. Green
  • Patent number: 7477653
    Abstract: Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Smith, James A. Baldwin, Michael D. Dodd, Peter T. Barrett, David C. Clifford, Grant D. Mohr, Dustin L. Green
  • Publication number: 20080273455
    Abstract: Strategies are described for performing retry analysis in an environment which involves the transmission of media information from a source module to a target module. In the context of the source module, the retry analysis determines whether the source module should satisfy the retry requests issued by the target module. In the context of the target module, the retry analysis determines whether the target module should generate the retry requests in the first place. Novel request reporting formats are also described. The target module performs analysis to determine what reporting format it should use to convey the retry requests to the source module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dustin L. Green, Michael D. Dodd, David C. Clifford, Geoffrey R. Smith, Peter T. Barrett, Grant D. Mohr
  • Patent number: 7370129
    Abstract: Strategies are described for performing retry analysis in an environment which involves the transmission of media information from a source module to a target module. In the context of the source module, the retry analysis determines whether the source module should satisfy the retry requests issued by the target module. In the context of the target module, the retry analysis determines whether the target module should generate the retry requests in the first place. Novel request reporting formats are also described. The target module performs analysis to determine what reporting format it should use to convey the retry requests to the source module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dustin L. Green, Michael D. Dodd, David C. Clifford, Geoffrey R. Smith, Peter T. Barrett, Grant D. Mohr
  • Patent number: 7278009
    Abstract: Tiered command distribution is described. In an embodiment, a pipeline architecture includes processor chains of data processors that process control events received from an application interface control. A tier assignment algorithm determines the longest path of data processors through the processor chains to determine a tier allocation for each data processor in the set of processor chains. Each tier includes a data processor from one or more of the processor chains where a first set of data processors in a first tier each receive a control event and process the control event and/or process the data according to the control event before a second set of data processors in a second tier each receive the control event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R Smith, Hans-Martin Krober, Michael D. Dodd