Patents by Inventor Paul Mercer

Paul Mercer 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).

  • Publication number: 20090300542
    Abstract: Presentation descriptions are provided to an operating system of a computing device to present outputs associated with the applications in an organized and intuitive manner to the user. The presentation descriptions provide the operating system with information about the structure and meaning of the output element. The task of organizing at least part of the output elements associated with applications is delegated to the operating system. The operating system analyzes the presentation descriptions, and organizes the output elements associated with the applications at least partly based on the presentation descriptions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Matias G. Duarte, Daniel Marc Shiplacoff, Paul Mercer, Ralph Thomas, Jeremy G. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20090293007
    Abstract: A computing device runs multiple activities concurrently and provides at least two modes for interacting with the activities. The user may toggle between the modes as desired. In a full-screen mode, one activity occupies substantially an entire display screen. In a windowed mode, the activity is visible within a window, and a portion of at least one other window is also visible. In the windowed mode, the user can cause windows to move, thereby changing focus from one activity to another. For example, the window having focus can be moved off the screen, to be replaced by a new window that is then given focus. The windows are ordered in a sequence and move in concert with one another; pushing one window off one edge of the screen causes a new window to appear at the opposite edge. A persistent positional relationship can be established among windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Matias Gonzalo Duarte, Daniel Marc Gatan Shiplacoff, Jeremy Godfrey Lyon, Paul Mercer, Ralph Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090278806
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive display screen is enhanced by a touch-sensitive control area that extends beyond the edges of the display screen. The touch-sensitive area outside the display screen, referred to as a “gesture area,” allows a user to activate commands using a gesture vocabulary. In one aspect, the present invention allows some commands to be activated by inputting a gesture within the gesture area. Other commands can be activated by directly manipulating on-screen objects. Yet other commands can be activated by beginning a gesture within the gesture area, and finishing it on the screen (or vice versa), and/or by performing input that involves contemporaneous contact with both the gesture area and the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Matias Gonzalo Duarte, Daniel Marc Gatan Shiplacoff, Dianne Parry Dominguez, Jeremy Godfrey Lyon, Paul Mercer, Peter Skillman
  • Publication number: 20090263156
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprising a photosensitive drum and at least one process member extending between two positioning members. In particular, the process cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. The a process cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, and contains a first positioning member, a second positioning member, a rotatable photosensitive drum extending between and connected to the first positioning member and second positioning member, and at least one process member extending between and connected to the first positioning member and second positioning member such that the distance between the rotatable photosensitive member and the process member is fixed by the first positioning member and the second positioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Paul MERCER
  • Publication number: 20090249253
    Abstract: Abbreviations are displayed for user-entered text commands, to facilitate discovery of keyboard shortcuts and to reinforce branding. Users enter commands by typing them into a text input field. Commands can be provided in a verb-noun structure, where the verb specifies what is to be done and the noun specifies the object or a parameter for the verb. Upon user entry of a command, or portion thereof, the entered portion is replaced by an abbreviation. The abbreviation can represent a single key, key combination, or multi-character string. The abbreviation can also include a logo or other graphic component, if desired. The abbreviation can replace the verb portion of the entered command, or it can be shown alongside or adjacent to the text input field, or it can be shown in an overlay or according to any other mechanism. A transition effect can be performed when introducing the abbreviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20090210441
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for presenting static and dynamic data corresponding to an entity within an application on a mobile device. An entity object is created as part of a data model within the application such that the entity object has a plurality of fields with the plurality of fields having static data corresponding to the entity. Based on the static data corresponding to the entity, dynamic data corresponding to the entity is received into the entity object from at least one of a plurality of applications executable within the mobile device. The static and dynamic data from the entity object corresponding to the entity is displayed simultaneously within a user interface of the application in a single presentation view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Mercer, Ralph Thomas, Srikiran Prasad
  • Publication number: 20090189915
    Abstract: A disclosed system (and method) is configured to receive an instruction to transition from a first view to a second view. The first view and the second view include two or more visual elements. The system receives data corresponding to visual elements in the first view and visual elements in the second view. The system groups the visual elements to include visual elements moved out between the first view and the second view, visual elements retained from the first view in the second view, and visual elements moved into the second view. The system retrieves a system defined transition style for rendering the visual elements between the first view and the second view. Using the groupings the system transitions the first view to render the second view through application of the transition style on the groups of visual elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mercer, Ralph Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090187847
    Abstract: An operating system of a mobile computing device translates primitive input signal from an input device to a navigation message invoking a navigation operation at application programs. The navigation operation represents a unit of action (e.g., ‘select’ an item) intended by a user on an application program. Different input signals from different input devices are mapped to navigation messages at the operating system. The application program receives and processes the navigation message; and thus, the application program is relieved of tasks associated with processing primitive input signals. By providing the navigation messages from the operating system, consistent navigation operations can be achieved at different application programs, and application programmers can conveniently program application programs for computing devices with different hardware configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20090172597
    Abstract: Menu items are displayed on a screen, for example in the form of user-activatable on-screen buttons. A root menu is displayed, including a “more” button that allows the user to navigate to one or more sub-menus. Each menu can contain function buttons, menu buttons, or any combination thereof. Function buttons provide direct access to functions. Menu buttons provide access to sub-menus, which may be provided in a hierarchical arrangement. In some sub-menus, a menu title button replaces the “more” button and provides access to a previously displayed menu. The user can activate a displayed function button in any menu or sub-menu to perform an action associated with the function button. In one aspect, all menus are displayed in the same area of the screen. When a menu is to be displayed, it replaces the previously displayed menu. By presenting only a limited set of buttons at any given time, the present invention provides access to functions without obscuring the workspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20090164534
    Abstract: A method (and corresponding system and computer program product) detects modified files and/or directories in a storage device. The method builds a file-sector coordination table for files in the storage device before relinquishing access control of the storage device to a host computer. The method passively monitors write transactions in the storage device from the host computer. The method identifies sectors affected by the monitored write transactions and stores in a sector list. The method regains access control of the storage device from the host computer and builds a list of modified files by intersecting the sector list with the file-sector coordination table. The method may optionally share the list of modified files with related applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20090138815
    Abstract: A visual indicator distinguishes between newly displayed content and previously displayed content during and/or after a scrolling operation. The newly displayed content is displayed in a different format, or with a different background, or with some other visual indication, as compared with content that was previously displayed and is still displayed after the scrolling operation. In this manner, the user is given a visual context for scrolling operations that provides an intuitive reference point when scrolling through a document. A user can easily determine where the newly displayed content picks up from where the previously displayed content left off. The visual indicator can be transitory if desired, so that it gradually fades after some period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Patent number: 7479971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent scrolling. In a computer system that has a user interface which allows for the movement of items from a first open window to a second open window or to a second region, such as a desktop, the present invention allows a user to select one or more items in the first window, move the selected item(s) to within a predetermined distance from an edge of the first window for a predetermined period of time and cause the viewable portion of the data and/or document within the first window to scroll in a corresponding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Meier, John Sullivan, Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20090013282
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for implementing a single-axis window manager on a mobile computing device to view and access multiple applications in a limited display area utilizing limited input capabilities. The mobile computing device initializes a virtual display space having a first dimension with a fixed size. For example, the virtual display space is initialized to have a horizontal dimension equal to the horizontal dimension of the display screen. At least one window is generated having a fixed size in the first dimension but also sizeable in a second direction. For example, the at least one window has a fixed horizontal dimension but is vertically sizeable. The at least one window is then inserted into the virtual display space and displayed on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Patent number: 7456850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent scrolling. In a computer system that has a user interface which allows for the movement of items from a first open window to a second open window or to a second region, such as a desktop, the present invention allows a user to select one or more items in the first window, move the selected item(s) to within a predetermined distance from an edge of the first window for a predetermined period of time and cause the viewable portion of the data and/or document within the first window to scroll in a corresponding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Meier, John Sullivan, Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20080199212
    Abstract: A removably mountable frame comprising a driving force receiving means adapted to engage a driving force transmitting means of an image processing apparatus when the removably mountable frame is received within the image processing apparatus; and at least one frame driving force transmitting means, each frame driving force transmitting means adapted to co-axially engage corresponding cartridge driving force receiving means of a cartridge when the cartridge is engagedly received within the removably mountable frame, where the external configuration of the removably mountable frame when the cartridge is received therein is adapted to be received within the image processing apparatus and where the driving force receiving means is further adapted to transfer driving force applied thereto to each of the at least one frame driving force transmitting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: GCC IP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Samuel Tsui, Christopher Paul Mercer
  • Patent number: 7302207
    Abstract: A cover (4) adapted for protecting a photosensitive member (2) of a process cartridge (1), the cover (4) comprising a filter (5) adapted to capture airborne particles from air flowing around or through the cover (4). Preferably, the filter (5) takes the form of a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, or “HEPA”, which contains micron sized pores for capturing the very smallest airborne particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: GCC IP Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20070186148
    Abstract: A method for processing a page character array finds links and creates link groups containing adjacent link characters. Adjacency of link characters is preferably defined as characters which are separated by any combination of no characters, blank space characters, line feed characters, or separator characters, such as vertical or horizontal separator bars or other separator characters. Once link groups have been defined, the method lays out each link group for display in an optimized form. Links are displayed as buttons. An optimized form of display includes centering all the buttons in a vertical list. Another optimized form of display includes laying out the link group as a rectangular matrix of buttons. According to another aspect, each of the links in a link group are logically mapped to a distinct user input, such as a key or voice command. The logical mapping aspect and optimized display aspect are optionally combined for certain types of hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: PIXO, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20070109326
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent scrolling. In a computer system that has a user interface which allows for the movement of items from a first open window to a second open window or to a second region, such as a desktop, the present invention allows a user to select one or more items in the first window, move the selected item(s) to within a predetermined distance from an edge of the first window for a predetermined period of time and cause the viewable portion of the data and/or document within the first window to scroll in a corresponding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: John Meier, John Sullivan, Paul Mercer
  • Publication number: 20040190937
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in a electrophotographic imaging machine comprises a photosensitive drum, process means acting upon the photosensitive drum and a rotating shaft which extends to the whole length of the drum along the drum's axis. A mounting component is provided which supports the photosensitive drum on the shaft, the mounting component producing electrical continuity between the inside surface of the photosensitive drum and the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Mercer, Samuel Tsui Wai Keung
  • Publication number: 20040135797
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent scrolling. In a computer system that has a user interface which allows for the movement of items from a first open window to a second open window or to a second region, such as a desktop, the present invention allows a user to select one or more items in the first window, move the selected item(s) to within a predetermined distance from an edge of the first window for a predetermined period of time and cause the viewable portion of the data and/or document within the first window to scroll in a corresponding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: John R. Meier, John William Sullivan, Paul Mercer