Patents by Inventor Scott C. Forbes

Scott C. Forbes 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: 7697511
    Abstract: A method for processing speech data packets passed between a plurality of devices in a conversation is disclosed. The method associates priorities with each of the devices in the conversation and processes speech data packets received from the devices according to the priorities. Devices in the conversation are identified, a priority for each device is determined, and the priority for each device is associated with speech data packets transmitted from the device. The priorities may change during the conversation. If more than one speech data packet is received in a time window, the speech data packet with high priority is transmitted. Speech data packets that are not transmitted may be deleted or buffered. If a device is not assigned a priority, a low priority is assigned to speech data packets transmitted from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, Linda Criddle, Scott C Forbes
  • Patent number: 7623550
    Abstract: The CODEC adjustment system is used when an incoming call is received for emergency services and the received audiovisual data does not reflect the information useful to the emergency services operator. The operator may want to hear background noise or increase the fidelity of the call in order to identify voices or determine the full extent of the emergency. Using the CODEC adjustment system, the operator or the caller can change the parameters of the sending CODEC during the emergency services call such that the encoded data contains the desired information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Scott C. Forbes
  • Patent number: 7603385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing a plurality of devices in a federated network and a sub-network within the federated network. The devices in the sub-network may have a functional capability of performing a function associated with the federated network. For example, the federated network may include devices for providing data content such as media content and the sub-network may include devices for controlling the presentation of the data content. In addition, a constellation of devices is provided that may share data content such as media data. At least some of the devices in the constellation may form a sub-network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ruston John David Panabaker, Eric Horvitz, Gregory Baribault, Michael Sinclair, Alexander Frank, Scott C. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20090232288
    Abstract: An interactive information distribution system that facilitates automatic transmission of a variety of information packets to the communication devices of a calling party and parties called during a call. The information packets are comprised of actual files and or links to files or websites, and are automatically transmitted following the initiation of a call. Upon initiating a call, an indicator that may include metadata linked to information packets is processed to identify at least one database for locating information packets to which the metadata is linked. The interactive information distribution system also includes a verbal communication conversion engine that allows verbal telephone communications to be converted to text and filtered to generate keywords which are used in additional database searching to identify additional information packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Sean Olson, Jeremy Buch, Dawson Yee, Timothy Mark Moore, Kalyan Shankar Basu
  • Patent number: 7502364
    Abstract: Structured hierarchies for communicating contextual information relating to a VoIP conversation are provided. The structured hierarchies are utilized for efficient communications of various amounts and types of contextual information over a VoIP conversation channel. Information identifying at least one structured hierarchy, which will be used to carry the contextual information, is transmitted during establishment of a conversation between two VoIP enhanced devices and prior to the exchange of contextual information. The structural hierarchy is selected from a set of predefined and declared structured hierarchies. Subsequently transmitted contextual information exchanged between two VoIP enhanced devices is represented in accordance with the identified structural hierarchy. Additionally, the structural hierarchies can be extensible by the addition of more definitions to the current structural hierarchies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, David A. Howell, Linda Criddle, Michael D. Malueg, Philip Andrew Chou, Scott C. Forbes, Kuansan Wang, Timothy M. Moore
  • Publication number: 20090006589
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an index and creating a network of devices based on the index. Information and data may be provided via the network. In one example, a request may be received from a user at a service. The service may maintain an index containing characteristics of devices. Any number or type of devices may be selected to participate in the network. Also, the network may be subsequently modified by the addition or removal of any device from the network. Information or data received from the network devices may be returned to the user requesting the information via the service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Gregory Baribault, Ruston John David Panabaker, William Jefferson Westerinen
  • Publication number: 20090003309
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing incoming data communication connectivity within a network. An analyzer component can evaluate a portion of an incoming data communication targeted for a network to identify a context associated with the data communication. A transfer component can direct the incoming data communication to a cluster within the network based at least in part upon the identified context, wherein the cluster includes a physical entity with pre-existing knowledge of the identified context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Bawcutt, Scott C. Forbes, Kalyan Basu, Jeremy T. Buch, Anoop Gupta, Warren Vincent Barkley, Ross Cutler, Timothy M. Moore, Michael Trommsdorff
  • Publication number: 20090006193
    Abstract: Techniques for providing third party incentivized communications sessions are described. In some embodiments, a Voice over IP (VoIP) conversation is sampled for audio information such as a word, phrase, utterance, or phoneme that may be associated with an advertisement in a database. The database may be searched for the audio information, or in some embodiments a text equivalent of the audio information, and the associated advertisement may be served to a participant in the VoIP communication session. In some implementations, data from or about the conversation may be compiled for analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Jerald J. Gnuschke, Tim M. Moore, Dawson Yee
  • Publication number: 20090003569
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing connectivity associated with data communications. An interface can receive a portion of communication state data, wherein the communication state data is related to at least one of a data communication mode and a user context state. A routing component can evaluate the portion of communication state data to identify an optimized data communication mode, wherein the optimized data communication mode is dynamically linked to a virtual contact identifier. Moreover, the routing component can automatically and seamlessly employ an optimized communication session utilizing the dynamically identified optimized data communication mode based upon an activation of the virtual contact identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Ross Cutler, Timothy M. Moore, Jeremy T. Buch, Anthony J. Bawcutt
  • Publication number: 20080126284
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, technologies for recognizing sequences of events or patterns of behavior, of predicting intent, need, objectives, purpose, aim, or the like, and responding to the predicted intent. Such technologies includes intent prediction and response (“IPR”) environments and systems, as well as methods for performing aspects IPR. Such technologies may aid in accomplishing tasks more efficiently or in reducing impediments whether they be physical, environmental, social, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Amit Mital, Russell Irvin Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20080120401
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing a plurality of devices in a federated network and a sub-network within the federated network. The devices in the sub-network may have a functional capability of performing a function associated with the federated network. For example, the federated network may include devices for providing data content such as media content and the sub-network may include devices for controlling the presentation of the data content. In addition, a constellation of devices is provided that may share data content such as media data. At least some of the devices in the constellation may form a sub-network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ruston John David Panabaker, Eric Horvitz, Gregory Baribault, Michael Sinclair, Alexander Frank, Scott C. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20080114594
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and system for providing VoIP clients with the ability to confirm accuracy in conversation data over a digital communication channel. More specifically, a method and system is provided for verifying, via a visual representation whether a receiving client captures accurate information from a particular portion of the digital voice conversation. In response to a triggering event, a visual representation, including information extracted from the particular portion of the digital voice conversation, may be generated for verifying the accuracy. Based on the needs of the clients engaging in the conversation, one or more visual representations and corresponding verifications can be exchanged. In this manner, a multi-tiered oral agreement with authentication may be generated over a digital communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Linda Criddle, David Milstein, Lon-Chan Chu, Kuansan Wang, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20080112551
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting and verifying the location information of a calling party and a device of the calling party is provided. More specifically, a method and system is provided for determining whether the identity of the calling party can be confirmed, via evaluating location information, with an acceptable degree of certainty. The location information may be provided by the calling party or obtained from various sources over a digital communication channel. Some of the provided location information which can be accidentally or intentionally altered is identified and evaluated to determine its accuracy as part of the verification process of the caller's identity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Linda Criddle, David Milstein, Lon-Chan Chu, Kuansan Wang, Michael D. Malueg
  • Publication number: 20080107037
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining reliability of data from a network or federated device. In one example, data from different devices in the network are compared and a relationship between the devices is determined. The reliability may be based on the relationship of the devices and/or similarity of data from the devices. In another example, reliability of devices and/or data from the devices may be based on a historical reliability of the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Alexander Frank, Shai Guday, Miller Thomas Abel, Johannes Klein, William Jefferson Westerinen
  • Publication number: 20080109867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for coordinating devices in a federated network of devices. A server may determine policies for coordinating the devices and may send messages to devices in the federated network for providing a service. The policies for providing the service among the federated devices may be based on properties of the devices or relative locations of the devices. For example, the federated devices may provide media data and control of the media data to a user. Provision of the media data and/or control of the media data may change from one device to another in the federated network based on policies from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ruston John David Panabaker, Eric Horvitz, Alexander Frank, Scott C. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20080102855
    Abstract: The present invention provides technologies for mapping the locations of federated devices, such as their physical locations. Individuals carrying mobile devices on their person may make use of such devices to determine their relative physical location or the relative physical location of others carrying such devices, such as family or friends. Such devices may send out relative and/or absolute location information to other devices in a federation or the like, such information being used to create a map of relative and/or absolute locations of the devices. Typically, the more devices that send out location information, the more accurate the location mapping. If one or more of the devices is able to provide absolute location information, such as longitude, latitude, altitude, or the like, then the mapping may include absolute locations of at least some of the devices accurate to some degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Gregory P. Baribault
  • Publication number: 20080101339
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for broadcasting a message to selected devices. More specifically, the method and system identifies appropriate VoIP devices of a recipient client suitable for a broadcast message and transmits the broadcast message to the identified appropriate VoIP devices over a digital communication channel. The appropriate VoIP devices are selected in accordance with various constraints of broadcasting such as recipient client's preference, functionality and capability of the recipient VoIP device, broadcaster's bandwidth, a set of broadcasting rules, or the like. In order to identify appropriate VoIP devices or a recipient client, the information relating to the recipient client and VoIP devices may be exchanged using the digital communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Linda Criddle, David Milstein, Lon-Chan Chu, Kuansan Wang, Michael D. Malueg
  • Publication number: 20080087729
    Abstract: Technology for use with computing devices, particularly mobile devices and wireless networks supporting federation, enabling people, devices, systems, or the like to join together in electronic federations for purposes of voting or the like. The votes in such voting situations may be weighted based on various criteria associated with the voter, the subject of the vote, and/or other criteria relevant to the voting scenario. The technology also enables users to monitor a voting scenario in real-time and tailor their own voting or decisions or the like to the scenario, even as it unfolds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dawson Yee, Scott C. Forbes, Shai Guday, Miller Thomas Abel
  • Publication number: 20080037723
    Abstract: A method and system provides the ability to use VoIP devices to generate and/or propagate a broadcast message to other devices. A device transmits a broadcast message to a recipient device over a peer-to-peer communication channel. Such a device can be an originator or a propagator designated by a third party. Upon receipt of a request to broadcast a message, or upon detecting any triggering event to broadcast, the device processes the request or the triggering event to compose content of the message. Subsequently, a group of recipient devices are identified and located. The device may transmit the broadcast message over existing communications channels without disturbing a conversation with the recipient device. Further, a peer-to-peer communication channel may be established to transmit the broadcast message. Alternatively, the device may request the recipient device to broadcast the message to devices outside of its current peer-to-peer communication connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, Linda Criddle, Scott C. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20080003941
    Abstract: A method and system for providing an ability to have two-way broadcasting in a VoIP system is provided. A call center may originate or relay a broadcast message to several clients. When a third party requests to broadcast a message, or specified triggering events are detected, content of the message may be collected and composed, and a group of recipient clients identified based on the content of the message. An individual broadcast message may be formatted, scheduled and transmitted based on the profile information of the recipient client(s). Moreover, a set of rules to specify the process of broadcasting may be provided from the third party and the service provider. For example, based on a set of rules, a next group of recipient clients may be determined after the initial broadcast and different broadcast messages may be formatted for each recipient client and transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, Kuansan Wang, Linda Criddle, Lon-Chan Chu, Scott C. Forbes