Patents by Inventor Michael I. Torres

Michael I. Torres 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: 8424105
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to providing and restricting access to content. In aspects, information (e.g., a URL) that identifies content and a user is provided to a user. In conjunction with providing the information to a user, a data structure (e.g., an access control list) is updated to indicate that the user has access to the content. The user may use the information to access the content and/or may send this information to other users. The other users may use the information (e.g., by pasting it into a browser) to access the content and may be added to the data structure so that they may subsequently access the content without the use of the information. Access to the content via using the information may be subsequently revoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Scott Flaks, Jordan L. K. Schwartz, Michael I. Torres, Joseph Andrew Bono
  • Publication number: 20130067346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8095551
    Abstract: A method for annotating shared contacts within a social network with public tags, notes or other data. This allows users of a social network to gain useful information at a glance about others' contacts within that network, as well as providing a means for filtering contacts within that network by user-defined keywords. Such a system improves and simplifies the ability of a user to discover new potential friends and business contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Kountz, Matthew S. Augustine, Michael I. Torres, Oludare Obasanjo
  • Patent number: 8090776
    Abstract: A content page is configured by a user and located on a network. Changes made to the content page are automatically communicated with notifications to a group of contacts for the user. Only contacts with permission to view the content page, or the changed content, will receive the notification and have permission to view the changes. A visual indicator notifies contacts that a content page of one of their contacts has been changed. When the visual indicator or some other contact indicator is selected by the user, a summary module can be provided. The summary module is a portal to network content, including the content page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael I. Torres, Stephen P. Rosato, Jason C. Fluegel, Thomas A. Jeyaseelan, DeEtte M. Day, Eyal Z. Axelrod, German A. Gil
  • Patent number: 8073928
    Abstract: Profile data from multiple networking services can be combined and queried from one networking service. A primary networking service may store user profile data for one or more secondary networking services and the primary networking service. When stored, the data from the multiple networks may be aggregated or merged. The stored data may include user profile data and relationship data for each networking service that a primary networking service has a profile account with. A graph of user-contact relationships existing over the primary networking service and one or more secondary networking services may be constructed and queried against.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Dolin, Oludare Obasanjo, Michael I. Torres, Jason C. Fluegel
  • Publication number: 20110247083
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to providing and restricting access to content. In aspects, information (e.g., a URL) that identifies content and a user is provided to a user. In conjunction with providing the information to a user, a data structure (e.g., an access control list) is updated to indicate that the user has access to the content. The user may use the information to access the content and/or may send this information to other users. The other users may use the information (e.g., by pasting it into a browser) to access the content and may be added to the data structure so that they may subsequently access the content without the use of the information. Access to the content via using the information may be subsequently revoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Scott Flaks, Jordan L.K. Schwartz, Michael I. Torres, Joseph Andrew Bono
  • Patent number: 8024328
    Abstract: Searches can be performed by attaching social contact metadata to a query where the metadata may be related to a degree of separation, chat room participation and geographical information related to an owner's contacts. Searches can then be executed by generalized search engines based at least in part on the metadata. The metadata may include contact identifiers that are unique across one or more social networks, and may include contacts for individual people as well as groups or other affiliations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Dolin, Nikhil Singhal, Michael I. Torres, Eytan Seidman
  • Patent number: 7984512
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to providing and restricting access to content. In aspects, information (e.g., a URL) that identifies content and a user is provided to a user. In conjunction with providing the information to a user, a data structure (e.g., an access control list) is updated to indicate that the user has access to the content. The user may use the information to access the content and/or may send this information to other users. The other users may use the information (e.g., by pasting it into a browser) to access the content and may be added to the data structure so that they may subsequently access the content without the use of the information. Access to the content via using the information may be subsequently revoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Scott Flaks, Jordan L. K. Schwartz, Michael I Torres, Joseph Andrew Bono
  • Patent number: 7970800
    Abstract: Permissions using a namespace is described. In an embodiment, a namespace system includes a network resource that has a resource permission, and includes a namespace that has one or more members associated with the namespace. The namespace system also includes a namespace permission to permission the network resource to one or more of the members of the namespace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Pacholec, Michael I. Torres, Apurva F. Dalia, Matthew S. Augustine, Mukeshkumar M. Beher
  • Patent number: 7930629
    Abstract: A tag management system that enables consolidation, aggregation and/or synchronization of tags between local and remote sources. Further, the system provides users with a single rich view of client and Internet data related to appropriate tagging schemes. The system allows users to import and export tags and taxonomies from online service providers and provides a central location for users to store their tags. The central location is accessible to the user both on the client and for use online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Michael I. Torres, Jane T. Kim
  • Publication number: 20110035464
    Abstract: Profile data from multiple networking services can be combined and queried from one networking service. A primary networking service may store user profile data for one or more secondary networking services and the primary networking service. When stored, the data from the multiple networks may be aggregated or merged. The stored data may include user profile data and relationship data for each networking service that a primary networking service has a profile account with. A graph of user-contact relationships existing over the primary networking service and one or more secondary networking services may be constructed and queried against.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rob Dolin, Oludare Obasanjo, Michael I. Torres, Jason C. Fluegel
  • Patent number: 7818396
    Abstract: Profile data from multiple networking services can be combined and queried from one networking service. A primary networking service may store user profile data for one or more secondary networking services and the primary networking service. When stored, the data from the multiple networks may be aggregated or merged. The stored data may include user profile data and relationship data for each networking service that a primary networking service has a profile account with. A graph of user-contact relationships existing over the primary networking service and one or more secondary networking services may be constructed and queried against.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Dolin, Oludare Obasanjo, Michael I. Torres, Jason C. Fluegel
  • Patent number: 7797318
    Abstract: A social networking service is integrated with a traditional communication service. The communication service may include an instant messaging service, an electronic mail service, a content page management service, or other communication service. The communication service provides one or more interfaces allowing a user to navigate and manage a contact network. A user may access several layers of contacts, and expand their contact list, by selecting additional contacts within additional contact lists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael I. Torres, John R. Kountz, Oludare Obasanjo, Matthew S. Augustine, Jason C. Fluegel, Jacob D. Kim, DeEtte M. Day
  • Publication number: 20100100943
    Abstract: Permissions using a namespace is described. In an embodiment, a namespace system includes a network resource that has a resource permission, and includes a namespace that has one or more members associated with the namespace. The namespace system also includes a namespace permission to permission the network resource to one or more of the members of the namespace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way
    Inventors: Michael A. Pacholec, Michael I. Torres, Apurva F. Dalia, Matthew S. Augustine, Mukeshkumar M. Beher
  • Patent number: 7653648
    Abstract: Permissions using a namespace is described. In an embodiment, a namespace system includes a network resource that has a resource permission, and includes a namespace that has one or more members associated with the namespace. The namespace system also includes a namespace permission to permission the network resource to one or more of the members of the namespace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A Pacholec, Michael I Torres, Apurva F Dalia, Matthew S Augustine, Mukeshkumar M Beher
  • Patent number: 7634458
    Abstract: Requests received from bots for non-adult personal content pages are processed to prevent the content pages from being stored and indexed. Excluding non-adult personal content pages from access to search engines protects the privacy of the non-adult associated with the page. A personal content page may be implemented as and/or include a profile, a blog, or other content and/or personal information for the non-adult. A recognized bot which sends a content request for a non-adult personal content page is not provided with meta-data allowing a search engine to index the page. Additionally, the bot is instructed to not access and/or index the non-adult personal content page. By not providing personal content page meta-data to the bot and instructing the bot to not access and/or index the non-adult owner's page, the bot should not acquire information regarding the personal content page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Singhal, Michael I. Torres, Charles K. Martz
  • Patent number: 7620996
    Abstract: A content page is configured by a user and located on a network. Changes made to the content page are automatically communicated with notifications to a group of contacts for the user. Only contacts with permission to view the content page, or the changed content, will receive the notification and have permission to view the changes. A visual indicator notifies contacts that a content page of one of their contacts has been changed. When the visual indicator or some other contact indicator is selected by the user, a summary module can be provided. The summary module is a portal to network content, including the content page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael I. Torres, Stephen P. Rosato, Jason C. Fluegel, Thomas A. Jeyaseelan, DeEtte M. Day, Eyal Z. Axelrod, German A. Gil
  • Publication number: 20090006111
    Abstract: A method for negotiating details of an event is disclosed. A user interface provides a set of widgets adapted to define details of the event, and at least one widget adapted to create a poll for a detail of the event. When the widget to create a poll is selected, at least one data field is provided to receive options regarding the event detail. Once the event is saved, it is published to a web page, and invitations are sent electronically to guests. If a poll has been created, then the published web page includes voting buttons that may be selected by the guests when they visit the web page such that preferences may be accommodated in scheduling the event. Further, the event web page is modified each time a vote button is selected such that tallies of the votes for each option are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Omar H. Shahine, Michael I. Torres, Thomas R. Bauman, Steven D. Kafka, Azeen Chamarbagwala
  • Publication number: 20080316925
    Abstract: Profile data from multiple networking services can be combined and queried from one networking service. A primary networking service may store user profile data for one or more secondary networking services and the primary networking service. When stored, the data from the multiple networks may be aggregated or merged. The stored data may include user profile data and relationship data for each networking service that a primary networking service has a profile account with. A graph of user-contact relationships existing over the primary networking service and one or more secondary networking services may be constructed and queried against.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Dolin, Oludare Obasanjo, Michael I. Torres, Jason C. Fluegel
  • Publication number: 20080313703
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to providing and restricting access to content. In aspects, information (e.g., a URL) that identifies content and a user is provided to a user. In conjunction with providing the information to a user, a data structure (e.g., an access control list) is updated to indicate that the user has access to the content. The user may use the information to access the content and/or may send this information to other users. The other users may use the information (e.g., by pasting it into a browser) to access the content and may be added to the data structure so that they may subsequently access the content without the use of the information. Access to the content via using the information may be subsequently revoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Scott Flaks, Jordan L.K. Schwartz, Michael I. Torres, Joseph Andrew Bono