Patents by Inventor Scott J. Counts

Scott J. Counts 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: 20160342755
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards monitoring user behavior on a computerized device for any deviation from normal or acceptable behavior that is likely to affect the user's mental state. A prediction model corresponding to features of one or more mental states may be compared with features based upon current user behavior. If the user's current behavior presents a mental state indicative of an uncharacteristic deviation from the normal or acceptable behavior, descriptive data associated with that mental state may be presented to the user in addition to a trusted individual, such as a health care professional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Elad Yom-Tov, Eric J. Horvitz, Ryen William White, Munmun De Choudhury, Scott J. Counts
  • Patent number: 9427185
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards monitoring user behavior on a computerized device for any deviation from normal or acceptable behavior that is likely to affect the user's mental state. A prediction model corresponding to features of one or more mental states may be compared with features based upon current user behavior. If the user's current behavior presents a mental state indicative of an uncharacteristic deviation from the normal or acceptable behavior, descriptive data associated with that mental state may be presented to the user in addition to a trusted individual, such as a health care professional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Elad Yom-Tov, Eric J. Horvitz, Ryen William White, Munmun De Choudhury, Scott J Counts
  • Publication number: 20140377727
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards monitoring user behavior on a computerized device for any deviation from normal or acceptable behavior that is likely to affect the user's mental state. A prediction model corresponding to features of one or more mental states may be compared with features based upon current user behavior. If the user's current behavior presents a mental state indicative of an uncharacteristic deviation from the normal or acceptable behavior, descriptive data associated with that mental state may be presented to the user in addition to a trusted individual, such as a health care professional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Elad Yom-Tov, Eric J. Horvitz, Ryen William White, Munmun De Choudhury, Scott J Counts
  • Publication number: 20140189000
    Abstract: A system for identifying influential users of a social network platform. The system may compute a score for each of multiple users. Such a score may be topic-based, leading to a more accurate identification of influential users. Such a topic-based score may indicate authority and/or impact of a user with respect to a topic. The impact may be computed based on authority combined with other factors, such as power of the user. The authority score may be simply computed, in whole or in part, directly from a tweet log without, for example creating a retweet graph. As a result, the scores may be computed, using MapReduce primitives or other constructs that allow the computations to be distributed across multiple parallel processors. Such scores may be used to select users based on impact as part of social trend analysis, marketing or other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiong Zhang, Hung-Chih Yang, Danny B. Lange, Scott J. Counts, David M. Moore, Graham A. Wheeler, Bhalchandra Pandit
  • Patent number: 8620385
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, Shelly D. Farnham, Jordan L K Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20130254206
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which content items such as microblog postings may be returned to a requestor based upon a desired level of diversity based upon information entropy. Each content item is associated with a set of dimensions, which may have a learned relative importance, and the content items may be pruned into a pruned subset via a transform. A result set is constructed by finding a cluster of items having a level of entropy that is closest to a desired level. In one aspect, the result set may be ordered based upon evaluating distortion of each item in the result set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, Munmun De Choudhury, Mary P. Czerwinski
  • Patent number: 8425291
    Abstract: As described herein, mobile device games may be constructed via a website from customizable atomic rule-based units, and also supports the reuse and remixing of game components by a game creator, members of an online community, or by any other user. Once composed, the game can be played via player mobile devices, which send content to a server or a peer device that hosts the game rule statements, and can trigger distribution of new content, rules, or other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Scott J. Counts
  • Patent number: 8316315
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a highlight view of electronic interactions, such as, emails, instant messages, audio messages and/or video messages is provided. The highlight view can facilitate a user's understanding of the electronic interactions. The electronic interactions can comprise emails associated with conversation threads of a discussion list posted and/or received by a plurality of users. The highlight view system can include, for a given period of time, a list of participants in the discussion list, a list of conversation threads and/or a linear progression of one or more of the conversation threads. The linear progression of one or more conversation threads can include signal word(s), such as, “stated, “asked”, “responded”, “wrapped up”, “disagreed”, “agreed” etc. that facilitate a user's comprehension of the individual e-mails which form the conversation thread. An electronic interactions highlight system can include an input component that receives electronic interactions (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Portnoy, Lili Cheng, Scott J. Counts
  • Publication number: 20120276883
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: SCOTT J. COUNTS, SHELLY D. FARNHAM, JORDAN LK SCHWARTZ
  • Patent number: 8219133
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, Shelly D. Farnham, Jordan L K Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20120115615
    Abstract: As described herein, mobile device games may be constructed via a website from customizable atomic rule-based units, and also supports the reuse and remixing of game components by a game creator, members of an online community, or by any other user. Once composed, the game can be played via player mobile devices, which send content to a server or a peer device that hosts the game rule statements, and can trigger distribution of new content, rules, or other information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott J. Counts
  • Patent number: 8123599
    Abstract: A rules-based physical-virtual world game builder architecture. Mobile device games can be constructed via a website from customizable atomic rule-based units, and also supports the reuse and remixing of game components by the game creator, members of an online community, or by any other user. Once composed, the game can be played via player mobile devices, which send content to a server or peer device that hosts the game rule statements, and can trigger distribution of new content, rules, or other information. The architecture can comprise an interface component for providing access, a build component for constructing a rule/rule unit for execution during game play, and an execution component for executing the rule/rule units based on data received during game play. Game creation and play can occur via any number of different client types, on any number of clients, and can be via client/server and/or peer-to-peer architectures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Scott J. Counts
  • Patent number: 7933612
    Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for determining locations of mobile devices. In particular, a set of regions is defined based upon the relative strength of signals received from one or more base stations within the region. Each region has associated location information (e.g., latitude and longitude). The location of a mobile device can be determined by analyzing the strength of received signals, identifying base stations and generating an ordered list of base stations based upon signal strength. The ordered list can be compared to the set of regions to determine the region in which the mobile device is located. The location information for the retrieved region can be used to estimate the location of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, John C. Krumm, Jordan L. K. Schwartz, Steve C. Glenner
  • Publication number: 20110041073
    Abstract: An information interaction module (IIM) is described for interacting with information items using a hierarchical taxonomy of key elements. In one mode, the IIM allows a user to specify a key by successively entering a string of key elements which compose the key. At each stage in this operation, the IIM guides the users by identifying a set of key elements that can be entered next. Ultimately, the IIM retrieves an information item that is associated with the specified key. In another mode, the IIM also allows a user to store a new information item by identifying a key associated with the information item. The IIM can be implemented as a standalone browser or as a component within an authoring tool. The information items can have any level of granularity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hoff, Scott J. Counts
  • Publication number: 20100198757
    Abstract: Providing for characterizing and determining effectiveness of social networks is described herein. By way of example, data descriptive of inter-relationships of persons can be employed to generate a social connectivity map for users of a communication network. Data disseminated or consumed via the communication network can be monitored and characterized in conjunction with task performance. The characterization can be compared with a performance benchmark to rate a composition of a social network, or underlying network applications and functions, in effecting user tasks or other user activities. Accordingly, individuals and organizations can determine and compare the effectiveness of a network in assisting user activities based on predetermined benchmarks, which can be tuned to various aspects, functions or applications of an underlying social network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lili Cheng, Scott J. Counts, Danyel Aharon Fisher, Michael Anthony Affronti, Marc A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100185630
    Abstract: Providing for adaptive networking based on user context is disclosed herein. By way of example, networking usage patterns, preferences and disposition toward a network or network interface can be monitored and analyzed to determine the user context. In some aspects, the usage context can be further modified based on language processing of content of messages sent or received by the user. Once determined, user context can be employed to adapt a composition of a network, including user nodes of the network as well as interface tools for accessing the network, based on the user context. As user use patterns change, the network can be further adapted to account for changes in user context over time, or other suitable user categorizations. Accordingly, the subject disclosure provides a powerful tool for breaking user-software paradigms requiring the user to adapt to the network and network tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lili Cheng, Scott J. Counts, Danyel Aharon Fisher, Dragos A. Manolescu
  • Publication number: 20100137010
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: SCOTT J. COUNTS, SHELLY D. FARNHAM, JORDAN LK SCHWARTZ
  • Patent number: 7684815
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, Shelly D. Farnham, Jordan L K Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7668691
    Abstract: Systems and methods that infer and classify user activity based in part on routing data. A storage medium can store raw data collected, and such acquired data can be subsequently be analyzed or distilled to generate abstract qualities about the raw data (e.g., velocity of user during route, level of difficulty, and the like). Various machine learning techniques, artificial intelligence methodologies, decision trees, and/or statistical methods can be employed to supply inference regarding the acquired raw data and/or the abstract qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, Marc A. Smith, Andrew W. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20090254847
    Abstract: A person may interact with visually-presented data in order to specify an analysis to be performed on the data. Data may be presented through a browser or other program in a visual form, such as a chart or graph. The person may interact with the visual presentation of the data in order to choose a specific body of data or a portion thereof. An analysis may be performed on the chosen data. The analysis to be performed may be selected based on features of the data and/or based on the person's indication of which analysis is to be performed. A decision tree may be used to choose the particular analysis to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott J. Counts, Paul R. Johns, Aaron C. Hoff