Patents by Inventor Michael Steffen Vance

Michael Steffen Vance 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: 11564068
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application causes display of a first portion of graphical identifiers associated with a first portion of the subset of contacts along a first path on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. The software application further causes display of a second portion of graphical identifiers associated with a second portion of the subset of contacts along a second path on the display of the telecommunications device about the external axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White, Charles Goran, Valerie Lynn Goulart, Feridoon Malekzadeh, Alejandro J. Amano-Palacios
  • Patent number: 11222045
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media for managing contact information via a network-based interface. A network resource transmits a data request to a contact information processing service. The contact information processing service processes the data request in accordance with the parameters included in the data request and information maintained by the contact information processing service. Examples of the processing facilitated by the contact information processing service include contact identification routines, contact verification routines, group-based information routines, and communication information routines. The contact information processing service returns the results to the requesting network resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein
  • Patent number: 11010678
    Abstract: Group-based information displays correspond to the collection of display objects representative of either contacts associated with a user or applications or executable components executable, or otherwise accessible, via the mobile communication device. The group-based information displays can be logically organized according to subject matter organizational criteria. The subject matter organizational criteria can include, for example, organization or other affiliates criteria, event-based, or activity based criteria, topic-based criteria and the like. Through the group-based information displays, mobile communication device users can initiate one or more actions corresponding to the selection of display objects corresponding to applications or executable components. Additionally, as applicable, the user can limit, or otherwise apply, the initiated actions to contacts identified, or otherwise associated, with the specific group-based information display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 10972597
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Publication number: 20200322472
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 10771605
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Publication number: 20200167673
    Abstract: Group-based information displays correspond to the collection of display objects representative of either contacts associated with a user or applications or executable components executable, or otherwise accessible, via the mobile communication device. The group-based information displays can be logically organized according to subject matter organizational criteria. The subject matter organizational criteria can include, for example, organization or other affiliates criteria, event-based, or activity based criteria, topic-based criteria and the like. Through the group-based information displays, mobile communication device users can initiate one or more actions corresponding to the selection of display objects corresponding to applications or executable components. Additionally, as applicable, the user can limit, or otherwise apply, the initiated actions to contacts identified, or otherwise associated, with the specific group-based information display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 10510008
    Abstract: Group-based information displays correspond to the collection of display objects representative of either contacts associated with a user or applications or executable components executable, or otherwise accessible, via the mobile communication device. The group-based information displays can be logically organized according to subject matter organizational criteria. The subject matter organizational criteria can include, for example, organization or other affiliates criteria, event-based, or activity based criteria, topic-based criteria and the like. Through the group-based information displays, mobile communication device users can initiate one or more actions corresponding to the selection of display objects corresponding to applications or executable components. Additionally, as applicable, the user can limit, or otherwise apply, the initiated actions to contacts identified, or otherwise associated, with the specific group-based information display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Publication number: 20190116471
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application causes display of a first portion of graphical identifiers associated with a first portion of the subset of contacts along a first path on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. The software application further causes display of a second portion of graphical identifiers associated with a second portion of the subset of contacts along a second path on the display of the telecommunications device about the external axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White, Charles Goran, Valerie Lynn Goulart, Feridoon Malekzadeh, Alejandro J. Amano-Palacios
  • Patent number: 10191623
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a first subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device and a second subset of contacts. Each of the first and second subsets includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the first subset of contacts in a first arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about a first axis positioned external to the display. The software application further causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the second subset of contacts in a second arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about a second axis positioned external to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 10194189
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that facilitate playback of content via multiple display devices. Playback may be synchronized among multiple display devices and/or auxiliary content rendered by a companion device may be synchronized to playback of content by a primary device. A server device receives a request from a first client device to commence a playback of a content feature upon an identified second client device. The server device sends an instruction to the second client device to commence the playback of the content feature upon a display of the second client device in response to the request. Status updates regarding the playback may be provided to the first client device by the server device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromey Russell Goetz, Fredrik Magnus Blomqvist, Ike Eshiokwu, Adam David Gray, William Richard Komarek, Lorne Millwood, Willie Morris, Dat Tien Nguyen, John Russell Seghers, Michael Steffen Vance
  • Patent number: 10178139
    Abstract: Data related to an event is provided to a group of contacts while the event is occurring via an event user interface that enables the group of contacts to coordinate with one another during the event. In this regard, an event coordination service is provides the event data to each contact of the group for review via an event user interface that is persistently displayed on a telecommunication or other computing device associated with the contact for the contact's easy and immediate reference during the event. When the event ultimately concludes, display of the event user interface ceases as the group of contacts likely no longer needs immediate or ready reference to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein
  • Patent number: 10178519
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application causes display of a first portion of graphical identifiers associated with a first portion of the subset of contacts along a first path on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. The software application further causes display of a second portion of graphical identifiers associated with a second portion of the subset of contacts along a second path on the display of the telecommunications device about the external axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White, Charles Goran, Valerie Lynn Goulart, Feridoon Malekzadeh, Alejandro J. Amano-Palacios
  • Patent number: 10177990
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device then causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the subset of contacts in an arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. Aspects of systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for further arranging the graphical identifiers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Alejandro J. Amano-Palacios, Joseph L. Ungari, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Publication number: 20180295223
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 10021231
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9886487
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including at least one contact group associated with the subset of contacts based on a current context of a user of the telecommunications device. The current context can include, for example, one or more of a location, time, date, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jared T Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Publication number: 20170124175
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media for managing contact information via a network-based interface. A network resource transmits a data request to a contact information processing service. The contact information processing service processes the data request in accordance with the parameters included in the data request and information maintained by the contact information processing service. Examples of the processing facilitated by the contact information processing service include contact identification routines, contact verification routines, group-based information routines, and communication information routines. The contact information processing service returns the results to the requesting network resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein
  • Publication number: 20170116532
    Abstract: Group-based information displays correspond to the collection of display objects representative of either contacts associated with a user or applications or executable components executable, or otherwise accessible, via the mobile communication device. The group-based information displays can be logically organized according to subject matter organizational criteria. The subject matter organizational criteria can include, for example, organization or other affiliates criteria, event-based, or activity based criteria, topic-based criteria and the like. Through the group-based information displays, mobile communication device users can initiate one or more actions corresponding to the selection of display objects corresponding to applications or executable components. Additionally, as applicable, the user can limit, or otherwise apply, the initiated actions to contacts identified, or otherwise associated, with the specific group-based information display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9503415
    Abstract: Notifications are managed in a unified notification platform that receives messages from disparate services, formats, and protocols, and with disparate attributes and meta-attributes. The unified notification platform provides for user defined meta-attributes to allow rapid classification of incoming messages accordingly to user relationships to message senders, including family, friends and co-workers. Incoming messages are received by a message queue component, serialized and prioritized according to a rules engine. Various user interfaces provide views and reports on the serialized messages. In particular a non-modal notification pop-up is disclosed. The unified notification platform exposes an application programming interface provides automatable and remotable programmatic access for application developers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie Lynn Goulart, Michael Steffen Vance