Patents by Inventor Ralph Sommerer

Ralph Sommerer 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: 8281259
    Abstract: A system for navigating among resources includes a target detection module detecting whether a first resource has been branched from to two other different resources and a backward navigation module operable to detect selection of a backward navigation button and cause navigation to the first resource. A method includes designating a target resource accessible via a backward navigation button in a first browser session, detecting selection of the backward navigation button in a second browser session, and navigating to the target resource in the second browser session. The method can involve detecting hovering of a pointer icon over the backward navigation button and responsively presenting a thumbnail of a resource associated with the backward navigation button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Samuel Gavin Smyth, Kerry Rodden, Ralph Sommerer, Rachel Jones, Alan Frank Blackwell
  • Patent number: 8239377
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention leverage search query result page thumbnails and search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one embodiment of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a tool to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another embodiment of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Brett D. Brewer, Eric Watson, Eddie L. Mays, III, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20100306665
    Abstract: A system for navigating among resources includes a target detection module detecting whether a first resource has been branched from to two other different resources and a backward navigation module operable to detect selection of a backward navigation button and cause navigation to the first resource. A method includes designating a target resource accessible via a backward navigation button in a first browser session, detecting selection of the backward navigation button in a second browser session, and navigating to the target resource in the second browser session. The method can involve detecting hovering of a pointer icon over the backward navigation button and responsively presenting a thumbnail of a resource associated with the backward navigation button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: NATASA MILIC-FRAYLING, SAMUEL GAVIN SMYTH, KERRY RODDEN, RALPH SOMMERER, RACHEL JONES, ALAN FRANK BLACKWELL
  • Publication number: 20100223257
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention leverage search query result page thumbnails and search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one embodiment of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a tool to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another embodiment of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: NATASA MILIC-FRAYLING, Brett D. Brewer, Eric Watson, Eddie L. Mays, III, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7774721
    Abstract: A system for navigating among resources includes a target detection module detecting whether a first resource has been branched from to two other different resources and a backward navigation module operable to detect selection of a backward navigation button and cause navigation to the first resource. A method includes designating a target resource accessible via a backward navigation button in a first browser session, detecting selection of the backward navigation button in a second browser session, and navigating to the target resource in the second browser session. The method can involve detecting hovering of a pointer icon over the backward navigation button and responsively presenting a thumbnail of a resource associated with the backward navigation button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Samuel Gavin Smyth, Kerry Rodden, Ralph Sommerer, Rachel Jones, Alan Frank Blackwell
  • Patent number: 7747611
    Abstract: The present invention leverages search query result page thumbnails and/or search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and/or profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and/or in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one instance of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a means to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another instance of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Brett D. Brewer, Eric Watson, Eddie L. Mays, III, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7721192
    Abstract: A resource search tool provides important context assistance and control for viewing resources on an incompatible display, such as a handheld display. A handheld device, for example, does not provide a large enough display space to provide a quick and comfortable search tool interface for a user. The search tool provides annotated search result pages and search result target pages to signify search hits in one or more documents or logical unites of the individual documents. In addition, progress indicators are provided to inform the user of the progress of the background layout and linguistic processing used to annotate for each search result target page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7660813
    Abstract: An information highlighting facility assists the user in evaluating relevance of accessed documents to the user's information need. The accessed documents may, for example, be identified by a search engine in response to a user query. When accessing documents identified as relevant by a search engine from other networked computers, the facility provides information highlighting to assist the user in determining whether the document is relevant. A model of the user's interest, which may include an augmented set of search terms, is used to take into account the general interest of the user as captured by an interest profile and context of use of the computer by the user, or a combination thereof. The model of the user's interest is applied to the document text as the document is accessed from its source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7502998
    Abstract: Balanced view generation of pages of electronic documents is disclosed. In one embodiment, balancing the text of a page without forcing any of the text onto previous or subsequent pages is accomplished on a rolling pair of lines-by-rolling pair of lines basis. For each of a series of rolling pairs of lines of the page (for example, lines of text), it is determined whether a first line of the rolling pair is less than a second line of the rolling pair in length. If so, then it is determined whether a last word of the first line would fit as a first word of the second line, and whether so doing would meet a predetermined criteria. If so, then this action is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7225407
    Abstract: A browser sessions search tool allows a user to search through records of previously viewed resource pages, even across multiple browser sessions. Each visit to a resource page results in creation of a visit data structure that references the resource page content. A rich assortment of data is recorded for each visited resource page, such as full text and layout data, time of access and navigation type that lead to the page. In one embodiment, color aspects of each resource page are stored to assist in a search, although other recorded resource page characteristics may additionally or alternatively include without limitation other visual, audio, navigational, or metadata aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Sommerer, Robert Tucker, Natasa Milic-Frayling, Jurij Leskovec
  • Publication number: 20060150096
    Abstract: Dynamic pagination for electronic documents, such as electronic books, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method first processes a document made up of at least text, as a number of segments. Second, the method determines a number of page breaks within a predetermined segment. This segment, for example, may be entered into the memory of a viewing device, such as an electronic book device. Third, the method renders a predetermined page within the predetermined segment, and finally displays the predetermined page. For example, the page can be displayed on a display device such as a flat-panel display of an electronic book device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Thacker, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7028258
    Abstract: Dynamic pagination for electronic documents, such as electronic books, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method first processes a document made up of at least text, as a number of segments. Second, the method determines a number of page breaks within a predetermined segment. This segment, for example, may be entered into the memory of a viewing device, such as an electronic book device. Third, the method renders a predetermined page within the predetermined segment, and finally displays the predetermined page. For example, the page can be displayed on a display device such as a flat-panel display of an electronic book device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles P. Thacker, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20060059138
    Abstract: An information highlighting facility assists the user in evaluating relevance of accessed documents to the user's information need. The accessed documents may, for example, be identified by a search engine in response to a user query. When accessing documents identified as relevant by a search engine from other networked computers, the facility provides information highlighting to assist the user in determining whether the document is relevant. A model of the user's interest, which may include an augmented set of search terms, is used to take into account the general interest of the user as captured by an interest profile and context of use of the computer by the user, or a combination thereof. The model of the user's interest is applied to the document text as the document is accessed from its source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20060047651
    Abstract: An information highlighting facility assists the user in evaluating relevance of accessed documents to the user's information need. The accessed documents may, for example, be identified by a search engine in response to a user query. When accessing documents identified as relevant by a search engine from other networked computers, the facility provides information highlighting to assist the user in determining whether the document is relevant. A model of the user's interest, which may include an augmented set of search terms, is used to take into account the general interest of the user as captured by an interest profile and context of use of the computer by the user, or a combination thereof. The model of the user's interest is applied to the document text as the document is accessed from its source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20060041530
    Abstract: An information highlighting facility assists the user in evaluating relevance of accessed documents to the user's information need. The accessed documents may, for example, be identified by a search engine in response to a user query. When accessing documents identified as relevant by a search engine from other networked computers, the facility provides information highlighting to assist the user in determining whether the document is relevant. A model of the user's interest, which may include an augmented set of search terms, is used to take into account the general interest of the user as captured by an interest profile and context of use of the computer by the user, or a combination thereof. The model of the user's interest is applied to the document text as the document is accessed from its source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20050257400
    Abstract: A resource browser session navigator includes a navigation manager module and a resource page manager module. The navigation manager module detects navigation events indicating visits to a resource pages. The resource page manager module populates a visit data structure representing the visits to the resource page and references in the visit data structure a page data structure that references content of the resource pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Sommerer, Robert Tucker, Natasa Milic-Frayling, Jurij Leskovec
  • Patent number: 6968332
    Abstract: An Information highlighting facility assists the user in evaluating relevance of accessed documents to the user's information need. The accessed documents may, for example, be identified by a search engine in response to a user query. When accessing documents identified as relevant by a search engine from other networked computers, the facility provides information highlighting to assist the user in determining whether the document is relevant. A model of the user's interest, which may include an augmented set of search terms is used to take into account the general interest of the user as captured by an interest profile and context of use of the computer by the user, or a combination thereof. The model of the user's interest is applied to the document text as the document is accessed from its source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 6966026
    Abstract: Balanced view generation of pages of electronic documents is disclosed. In one embodiment, balancing the text of a page without forcing any of the text onto previous or subsequent pages is accomplished on a rolling pair of lines-by-rolling pair of lines basis. For each of a series of rolling pairs of lines of the page (for example, lines of text), it is determined whether a first line of the rolling pair is less than a second line of the rolling pair in length. If so, then it is determined whether a last word of the first line would fit as a first word of the second line, and whether so doing would meet a predetermined criteria. If so, then this action is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20050240868
    Abstract: Balanced view generation of pages of electronic documents is disclosed. In one embodiment, balancing the text of a page without forcing any of the text onto previous or subsequent pages is accomplished on a rolling pair of lines-by-rolling pair of lines basis. For each of a series of rolling pairs of lines of the page (for example, lines of text), it is determined whether a first line of the rolling pair is less than a second line of the rolling pair in length. If so, then it is determined whether a last word of the first line would fit as a first word of the second line, and whether so doing would meet a predetermined criteria. If so, then this action is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20050132297
    Abstract: A system for navigating among resources includes a target detection module detecting whether a first resource has been branched from to two other different resources and a backward navigation module operable to detect selection of a backward navigation button and cause navigation to the first resource. A method includes designating a target resource accessible via a backward navigation button in a first browser session, detecting selection of the backward navigation button in a second browser session, and navigating to the target resource in the second browser session. The method can involve detecting hovering of a pointer icon over the backward navigation button and responsively presenting a thumbnail of a resource associated with the backward navigation button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Samuel Smyth, Kerry Rodden, Ralph Sommerer, Rachel Jones, Alan Blackwell