Patents by Inventor Richard Fang

Richard Fang 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: 11762544
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Miron Vranjes, Matthew Worley, Richard Fang, Nils Sundelin, Robert Jarrett, Jesse Satterfield, Alice Steinglass, Chaitanya Sareen, Bret Anderson
  • Patent number: 11755200
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Dicks Clark, Richard Fang, Alisha Dilip Gala, Merryjane M. Fosdick, Aaron R. Teetor, Michael Neil Loholt, Leo Tian Yue, Albert Peter Yih, Joseph Spencer King, Elizabeth Picchietti Salowitz, Hanna Mclaughlin
  • Publication number: 20220413880
    Abstract: Methods, systems and storage media for limiting access to one or more of devices and applications for a period of time are disclosed. Some examples may include: receiving electronic assignment information indicating that at least one assignment associated with a user is incomplete, identifying a block of time based on the at least one incomplete assignment and assigning a focus time session to the identified block of time, causing at least one of an application or device to become disabled based on a configuration profile applied during the focus time session, receiving an indication that the at least one incomplete assignment associated with the user has been completed and causing the previously disabled at least one of the application or device to become enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Hemanshu K. CHAWDA, Chang-Ling WU, Mouna SIDI HIDA, Jérôme VASSEUR, Kaylie J. WILSON, Gregory H. R. MIALON, Vaibhav JAIN, Richard FANG
  • Publication number: 20220398996
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to systems and methods for implementing a customizable compact overlay window in a display. In one embodiment, a computing system includes one or more processors and a storage device that stores computer executable instructions that can be executed by the processors to cause the computing system to perform the following. The system receives from an application running on the computing system customization parameters that define how the application is to be configured in a compact overlay window. The system generates the compact overlay window so that the compact overlay window is customizable according to the customization parameters. The system positions the compact overlay window in a portion of a display of the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nils Sundelin, Bret Anderson, Samuel George Gates, Richard Fang, Miron Vranjes, Christopher Doan, Abhishek Malani
  • Publication number: 20220398181
    Abstract: The systems and methods may use machine learning models to process device data of user devices and determine device usage behaviors for the users of the user devices based on the device data. The systems and methods may provide relatable insights for the device usage behaviors in a user-friendly manner. The systems and methods may provide actional recommendations that users may take in response to the insights provided to promote healthy device usage behaviors or to prevent or reduce the device usage behavior. The systems and methods may also provide recommendations with access to information or other content related to the device usage behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Richard FANG, Chang-Ling WU, Justin James WAGLE
  • Publication number: 20220398010
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Lee Dicks CLARK, Richard FANG, Alisha Dilip GALA, MerryJane M. FOSDICK, Aaron R. TEETOR, Michael Neil LOHOLT, Leo Tian YUE, Albert Peter YIH, Joseph Spencer KING, Elizabeth Picchietti SALOWITZ, Hanna MCLAUGHLIN
  • Publication number: 20220221970
    Abstract: A system for modifying a user interface described herein can include a processor to detect a plurality of display screens electronically coupled to the system. The processor can also detect a first gesture corresponding to an application window displayed in one of the display screens and generate a preview panel in response to detecting the first gesture, the preview panel to be displayed proximate the application window, wherein the preview panel is to display a real-time image comprising content displayed in each of the display screens. Furthermore, the processor can detect a second gesture to move the application window to a different display screen modify the user interface to display the application window in the different display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Matthias BAER, Bryan K. MAMARIL, Isaiah NG, Garner B. THOMAS, Cassandra M. APRIL, Richard FANG, Matthew I. WORLEY
  • Patent number: 11372541
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Dicks Clark, Richard Fang, Alisha Dilip Gala, MerryJane M. Fosdick, Aaron R. Teetor, Michael Neil Loholt, Leo Tian Yue, Albert Peter Yih, Joseph Spencer King, Elizabeth Picchietti Salowitz, Hanna McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 11327777
    Abstract: Methods, systems and storage media for limiting access to one or more of devices and applications for a period of time are disclosed. Some examples may include: receiving electronic assignment information indicating that at least one assignment associated with a user is incomplete, identifying a block of time based on the at least one incomplete assignment and assigning a focus time session to the identified block of time, causing at least one of an application or device to become disabled based on a configuration profile applied during the focus time session, receiving an indication that the at least one incomplete assignment associated with the user has been completed and causing the previously disabled at least one of the application or device to become enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Hemanshu K. Chawda, Chang-Ling Wu, Mouna Sidi Hida, Jérôme Vasseur, Kaylie J. Wilson, Gregory H. R. Mialon, Vaibhav Jain, Richard Fang
  • Patent number: 11301124
    Abstract: A system for modifying a user interface described herein can include a processor to detect a plurality of display screens electronically coupled to the system. The processor can also detect a first gesture corresponding to an application window displayed in one of the display screens and generate a preview panel in response to detecting the first gesture, the preview panel to be displayed proximate the application window, wherein the preview panel is to display a real-time image comprising content displayed in each of the display screens. Furthermore, the processor can detect a second gesture to move the application window to a different display screen modify the user interface to display the application window in the different display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Baer, Bryan K. Mamaril, Isaiah Ng, Garner B. Thomas, Cassandra M. April, Richard Fang, Matthew I. Worley
  • Patent number: 11295706
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to systems and methods for implementing a customizable compact overlay window in a display. In one embodiment, a computing system includes one or more processors and a storage device that stores computer executable instructions that can be executed by the processors to cause the computing system to perform the following. The system receives from an application running on the computing system customization parameters that define how the application is to be configured in a compact overlay window. The system generates the compact overlay window so that the compact overlay window is customizable according to the customization parameters. The system positions the compact overlay window in a portion of a display of the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nils Sundelin, Bret Anderson, Samuel George Gates, Richard Fang, Miron Vranjes, Christopher Doan, Abhishek Malani
  • Publication number: 20220075519
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Lee Dicks CLARK, Richard FANG, Alisha Dilip GALA, MerryJane M. FOSDICK, Aaron R. TEETOR, Michael Neil LOHOLT, Leo Tian YUE, Albert Peter YIH, Joseph Spencer KING, Elizabeth Picchietti SALOWITZ, Hanna MCLAUGHLIN
  • Publication number: 20210232305
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Miron Vranjes, Matthew Worley, Richard Fang, Nils Sundelin, Robert Jarrett, Jesse Satterfield, Alice Steinglass, Chaitanya Sareen, Bret Anderson
  • Patent number: 11003347
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Miron Vranjes, Matthew Worley, Richard Fang, Nils Sundelin, Robert Jarrett, Jesse Satterfield, Alice Steinglass, Chaitanya Sareen, Bret Anderson
  • Patent number: 10678412
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling dynamic joint dividers for application windows. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable sizing and positioning of application windows to provide an optimized layout of application windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Miron Vranjes, Oliver R. Jones, Nils Anders Sundelin, Richard Fang, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Jeremy Bowen, Alex Snitkovskiy
  • Patent number: 10627993
    Abstract: A clipboard component provides a multi-item clipboard store. The clipboard component uses a technical strategy that facilitates its efficient adoption and use by end users and application developers. From an end user's standpoint, the clipboard component provides a new user experience which is easy for the users to discover, learn and use, due, in part, to the use of ergonomic control mechanisms for activating paste and copy operations. From a developer's standpoint, the clipboard component provides a way of allowing existing legacy applications to interact with a multi-item clipboard store, even though these applications were not originally created to provide that type of interaction. The clipboard component can also, upon instruction by a user, apply one or more supplemental operations to a copied content item, such as transferring the item to a target computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Isaac Worley, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Christopher Doan, Jason Morris Yore, Apurva Jain, Richard Fang
  • Publication number: 20200117355
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Miron Vranjes, Matthew Worley, Richard Fang, Nils Sundelin, Robert Jarrett, Jesse Satterfield, Alice Steinglass, Chaitanya Sareen, Bret Anderson
  • Patent number: 10620772
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing universal back navigation for multiple windows. Universal back navigation allows universal back functionality to transition between operating in an in-application context and a cross-application context. In the in-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is restricted to functionality of an application (e.g., a single application) to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default. In the cross-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is not restricted to functionality of the application to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Lavanya Vasudevan, Miron Vranjes, Jeremy M. Bowen, Christopher Doan, Tsz Yan Wong, Chaitanya D. Sareen, Carmen Zlateff, Abhishek Malani, Christopher E. Swan, Richard Fang, Christian Klein
  • Patent number: 10564814
    Abstract: Techniques for a contextual new tab experience in a heterogeneous tab environment are described. In at least some implementations, relevant content associated with a user's current task is determined based on contextual information collected from tabs presented in a heterogeneous tab environment. According to various implementations, a new tab is launched displaying the relevant content in the heterogeneous tab environment. Thus, contextually relevant content can be determined from a current task and displayed in a single location via a heterogeneous tab environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Fang, Ross N. Luengen, Scott James Krieder, Michael John Patten, Robyn Elizabeth Dunn, Brian Eric Uphoff, Christopher Doan, Darren Christopher Laybourn, Phoi Heng Lew
  • Patent number: 10528242
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Miron Vranjes, Matthew Worley, Richard Fang, Nils Sundelin, Robert Jarrett, Jesse Satterfield, Alice Steinglass, Chaitanya Sareen, Bret Anderson