Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Dietterich

Thomas G. Dietterich 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: 8706748
    Abstract: Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to enhance search queries to include task-related search criteria that improve relevance of search results. The task-related information can also be used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: DECHO Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich, John B. Forbes, Paul Maritz
  • Patent number: 8126888
    Abstract: Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task. The task-related information can also be used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by enhancing search queries to include task-related search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: DECHO, Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich, John B. Forbes, Paul Maritz
  • Patent number: 8117198
    Abstract: Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task and/or to enhance search queries to include task-related search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Decho Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich, John B. Forbes, Paul Maritz
  • Patent number: 7565340
    Abstract: A method for assisting multi-tasking computer users includes receiving from a user a specification of a task being performed by the user or an indication of completion of a task, collecting state changes in multiple executing programs, predicting a current task being performed by the user based on a recent state change event, a past specification of a task being performed by the user, and past events and associated tasks. Based on the predicted current task, user interface elements in multiple executing programs are adapted to facilitate performance of the task. The method may also allow a user to specify a new task based on a task template derived from a completed task to facilitate completion of the new task. The task templates also may be shared among users, and active tasks may also be team tasks shared among users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich
  • Publication number: 20090157617
    Abstract: Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to enhance search queries to include task-related search criteria that improve relevance of search results. The task-related information can also be used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich, John B. Forbes, Paul Maritz
  • Publication number: 20090157729
    Abstract: Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task and/or to enhance search queries to include task-related search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich, John B. Forbes, Paul Maritz
  • Publication number: 20090157653
    Abstract: Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task. The task-related information can also be used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by enhancing search queries to include task-related search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Herlocker, Thomas G. Dietterich, John B. Forbes, Paul Maritz