Patents by Inventor Peter J. Torr
Peter J. Torr 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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Publication number: 20150020057Abstract: A facility is provided for controlling application features. In various embodiments, the facility assembles an indication of features, starts a controlled application, and provides the assembled indication of features to the controlled application so that the controlled application can disable a feature of the controlled application. The facility can include a controlling application that is adapted for assembling a set of tokens that identify features by adding or removing tokens when a user of the controlling application selects a command associated with the controlling application, and a controlled application that, when invoked by the controlling application and provided the assembled set of tokens, controls a feature of the controlled application based on the assembled set of tokens.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Paul Stubbs, Eric S. Schnepp, Peter J. Torr, John A. Shepard
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Patent number: 8850388Abstract: A facility is provided for controlling application features. In various embodiments, the facility assembles an indication of features, starts a controlled application, and provides the assembled indication of features to the controlled application so that the controlled application can disable a feature of the controlled application. The facility can include a controlling application that is adapted for assembling a set of tokens that identify features by adding or removing tokens when a user of the controlling application selects a command associated with the controlling application, and a controlled application that, when invoked by the controlling application and provided the assembled set of tokens, controls a feature of the controlled application based on the assembled set of tokens.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Paul Stubbs, Eric S. Schnepp, Peter J. Torr, John A. Shepard
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Patent number: 8473739Abstract: An interactive multimedia presentation playable by a presentation system includes a media content component and an interactive content component. The interactive content component includes one or more applications, which provide instructions for organizing, formatting, and synchronizing the presentation of interactive objects to a user. Prior to playing the interactive multimedia presentation, an entity responsible for authoring or publishing one or more of the applications is digitally identified and authenticated, or it is determined that the applications are unsigned. Prior to and/or during play of the interactive multimedia presentation, authorization for performing certain actions (such as executing certain application instructions, especially those that access functionality of the presentation system, computer-readable media, or external networks) is granted via a permission-based model.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Clinick, Peter J. Torr, Sean Hayes
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Patent number: 8380751Abstract: A resource abstraction layer for use in a media processing environment includes a configuration file and a set of computer-executable instructions. Both network-based and locally-accessible resources are indirectly accessible via the resource abstraction layer. The configuration file has at least two data structures—a first data structure storing “virtual resource identifiers,” which reference particular resource usable in connection with rendering a particular media presentation, and a second data structure storing “virtual location identifiers,” which reference one or more locations at which particular resources are stored. The set of computer-executable instructions facilitates use of the configuration file, and seamless indirect access by the media processing environment to particular resources, regardless of where such resources are located. Temporary resources may be rendered while a particular resource is being accessed via the resource abstraction layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Peter J Torr
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Patent number: 8086562Abstract: Provided are arrangements for downloading resources and managing downloaded resources. A file is requested from a HTTP server, the file associated with an original URI. The file is downloaded and assigned a handle. The file is then stored in a storage location such as a file cache or in a persistent storage location. Upon command of an advanced content playlist or sequence, the file is called by calling the handle of the file. The storing of the file may include storing the file in a location where the file is subject to an automatic removal operation. The file may be an image file or any other type of file, especially multimedia files. The automatic removal operation may occur upon a quitting or restarting of the application. If another request is made for another file, the prior downloaded file may be replaced.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: James C. Finger, Peter J. Torr, Andrew J. Clinick, Jeffrey A. Davis
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Patent number: 8010690Abstract: Arrangements and methods are provided that allow integration of connected online services within a high-definition interactive framework, and in particular within an advanced content interactivity layer. In this way, the online services may enjoy enhanced features on an advanced content media device. For example, content running on an advanced content media device may be configured to detect an online service's feature and may thus present the user with additional features that interact with the online service. An advanced content media device may detect another user's advanced content media device through a network, and in particular a media service on the network, allowing chat and synchronized playback of content. Advanced content media devices may vary, but may include, e.g., a multimedia player, a media center, a game console, a personal computer, and so on.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: James C. Finger, Peter J. Torr, Praful Pratap Chavda, Richard E. Doherty
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Publication number: 20110179071Abstract: A resource abstraction layer for use in a media processing environment includes a configuration file and a set of computer-executable instructions. Both network-based and locally-accessible resources are indirectly accessible via the resource abstraction layer. The configuration file has at least two data structures—a first data structure storing “virtual resource identifiers,” which reference particular resource usable in connection with rendering a particular media presentation, and a second data structure storing “virtual location identifiers,” which reference one or more locations at which particular resources are stored. The set of computer-executable instructions facilitates use of the configuration file, and seamless indirect access by the media processing environment to particular resources, regardless of where such resources are located. Temporary resources may be rendered while a particular resource is being accessed via the resource abstraction layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventor: Peter J. Torr
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Patent number: 7941458Abstract: A resource abstraction layer for use in a media processing environment includes a configuration file and a set of computer-executable instructions. Both network-based and locally-accessible resources are indirectly accessible via the resource abstraction layer. The configuration file has at least two data structures—a first data structure storing “virtual resource identifiers,” which reference particular resource usable in connection with rendering a particular media presentation, and a second data structure storing “virtual location identifiers,” which reference one or more locations at which particular resources are stored. The set of computer-executable instructions facilitates use of the configuration file, and seamless indirect access by the media processing environment to particular resources, regardless of where such resources are located. Temporary resources may be rendered while a particular resource is being accessed via the resource abstraction layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Peter J. Torr
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Publication number: 20090327306Abstract: Provided are arrangements for downloading resources and managing downloaded resources. A file is requested from a HTTP server, the file associated with an original URI. The file is downloaded and assigned a handle. The file is then stored in a storage location such as a file cache or in a persistent storage location. Upon command of an advanced content playlist or sequence, the file is called by calling the handle of the file. The storing of the file may include storing the file in a location where the file is subject to an automatic removal operation. The file may be an image file or any other type of file, especially multimedia files. The automatic removal operation may occur upon a quitting or restarting of the application. If another request is made for another file, the prior downloaded file may be replaced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: James C. Finger, Peter J. Torr, Andrew J. Clinick, Jeffrey A. Davis
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Publication number: 20090328120Abstract: Arrangements and methods are provided that allow integration of connected online services within a high-definition interactive framework, and in particular within an advanced content interactivity layer. In this way, the online services may enjoy enhanced features on an advanced content media device. For example, content running on an advanced content media device may be configured to detect an online service's feature and may thus present the user with additional features that interact with the online service. An advanced content media device may detect another user's advanced content media device through a network, and in particular a media service on the network, allowing chat and synchronized playback of content. Advanced content media devices may vary, but may include, e.g., a multimedia player, a media center, a game console, a personal computer, and so on.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: James C. Finger, Peter J. Torr, Praful Pratap Chavda, Richard E. Doherty
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Publication number: 20090327345Abstract: A resource abstraction layer for use in a media processing environment includes a configuration file and a set of computer-executable instructions. Both network-based and locally-accessible resources are indirectly accessible via the resource abstraction layer. The configuration file has at least two data structures—a first data structure storing “virtual resource identifiers,” which reference particular resource usable in connection with rendering a particular media presentation, and a second data structure storing “virtual location identifiers,” which reference one or more locations at which particular resources are stored. The set of computer-executable instructions facilitates use of the configuration file, and seamless indirect access by the media processing environment to particular resources, regardless of where such resources are located. Temporary resources may be rendered while a particular resource is being accessed via the resource abstraction layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventor: Peter J. Torr
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Publication number: 20080134297Abstract: An interactive multimedia presentation playable by a presentation system includes a media content component and an interactive content component. The interactive content component includes one or more applications, which provide instructions for organizing, formatting, and synchronizing the presentation of interactive objects to a user. Prior to playing the interactive multimedia presentation, an entity responsible for authoring or publishing one or more of the applications is digitally identified and authenticated, or it is determined that the applications are unsigned. Prior to and/or during play of the interactive multimedia presentation, authorization for performing certain actions (such as executing certain application instructions, especially those that access functionality of the presentation system, computer-readable media, or external networks) is granted via a permission-based model.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Clinick, Peter J. Torr, Sean Hayes
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Publication number: 20080127053Abstract: A facility is provided for controlling application features. In various embodiments, the facility assembles an indication of features, starts a controlled application, and provides the assembled indication of features to the controlled application so that the controlled application can disable a feature of the controlled application. The facility can include a controlling application that is adapted for assembling a set of tokens that identify features by adding or removing tokens when a user of the controlling application selects a command associated with the controlling application, and a controlled application that, when invoked by the controlling application and provided the assembled set of tokens, controls a feature of the controlled application based on the assembled set of tokens.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Paul Stubbs, Eric S. Schnepp, Peter J. Torr, John A. Shepard