Patents by Inventor William H. Gates, III
William H. Gates, III 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).
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Patent number: 8782179Abstract: Multiple pieces of information can be arranged into a single construct that allows the employee to ascertain information quickly while at her workstation. Selection of information for placement into the construct can employ various statistical models and the like. Selective pieces of information can be masked for a user's construct based upon access rights of the user. Constructs can be configured by a user based on personal preferences as well as by an administrator. Population of metadata upon the construct can be performed automatically through an instruction of the administrator or be overridden by a user request. In addition, various types of synchronization can be implemented between constructs, such that identical or near-identical information is populated upon multiple constructs.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eran Megiddo, Joshua T. Goodman, Jensen M. Harris, Susan T. Dumais, Michael V. Ehrenberg, Srikanth Shoroff, William H. Gates, III
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Patent number: 8725567Abstract: Architecture for presenting advertisements in realtime in retail establishments. A sensor component includes sensors for collecting information about a customer or group of customers as they move through the store. The sensors can include capability for image processing, audio processing, light sensing, velocity sensing, direction sensing, proximity sensing, face recognition, pose recognition, transaction recognition, and biometric sensing, for example. A customer component analyzes the information and generates a profile about the customer. Advertisements are selected for presentation that target the customers as they walk in proximity of a presentation system of the store. An advertisement component facilitates dynamic presentation of a targeted advertisement to the individual as a function of the profile. The customer component can infer information during analysis using machine learning and reasoning.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Xuedong D. Huang, William H. Gates, III, Eric J. Horvitz, Joshua T. Goodman, Bradly A. Brunell, Susan T. Dumais, Gary W. Flake, Trenholme J. Griffin, Oliver Hurst-Hiller
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Patent number: 8715496Abstract: A system for altering water properties in an outdoor body of water includes a holding vessel configured to hold water. The holding vessel has at least one wall extending above a mean surface water level. The system also includes at least one conduit extending downward from the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which at least one property of water at the depth differs substantially from that of water at the surface. The system further includes at least one aperture formed in at least one of the holding vessel or the at least one conduit and located at a distance below the mean surface water level. Further still, the system includes at least one one way valve coupled to the at least one aperture and allowing flow of water in only one direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, William H. Gates, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 8712837Abstract: A method embodiment includes receiving data indicative of a person accessing at least one of a first network-available electronic content or a second network-available electronic content. Also, receiving data indicative of an involvement with respect to possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party. The involvement being independent of the person activating a link to a site owned by the third-party that is included in the first network-available electronic content or in the second network available electronic content. Further, assessing a behavioral influence by the first network-available electronic content and/or the second network-available electronic content on the indicated involvement with respect to the possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Alexander G. Gounares, W. Daniel Hillis, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Christopher D. Payne, Richard F. Rashid, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8710476Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an x-ray shielding system including a flexible layer including a support structure having a plurality of interconnected interstitial spaces that provide a circulation network for an x-ray shielding fluid composition.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Inventors: Philip A. Eckhoff, William H. Gates, III, Peter L. Hagelstein, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Robert Langer, Erez Lieberman, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Michael Schnall-Levin, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8705746Abstract: A system that enables a cloud-based data repository to function as a secure ‘drop-box’ for data that corresponds to a user is provided. The ‘drop box’ can be facilitated through the use of cryptographic keying technologies. For instance, data that is ‘dropped’ by or on behalf of a particular user can be encrypted using a public key that corresponds to a user-specific private key. Thus, although the data resides within the large pool of ‘cloud-based’ data, it is protected since it can only be decrypted by using the private key, which is kept secret. The innovation can further facilitate user-centric secure storage by partitioning the cloud-based repository into multiple partitions, each of which corresponds to specific indexing criteria.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Raymond E Ozzie, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Alexander G. Gounares, Debi P. Mishra, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
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Patent number: 8700385Abstract: Providing for generation of a task oriented data structure that can correlate natural language descriptions of computer related tasks to application level commands and functions is described herein. By way of example, a system can include an activity translation component that can receive a natural language description of an application level task. Furthermore, the system can include a language modeling component that can generate the data structure based on an association between the description of the task and at least one application level command utilized in executing the computer related task. Once generated, the data structure can be utilized to automate computer related tasks by input of a human centric description of those tasks. According to further embodiments, machine learning can be employed to train classifiers and heuristic models to optimize task/description relationships and/or tailor such relationships to the needs of particular users.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Susan T. Dumais, William H. Gates, III, Srikanth Shoroff, Michael Ehrenberg, Jensen M. Harris, Richard J. Wolf, Joshua T. Goodman, Eran Megiddo
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Patent number: 8685254Abstract: A method is generally described which includes environmental alteration. The method includes determining a placement of at least one vessel capable of moving water to lower depths in the water via wave induced downwelling. The method also includes placing the at least one vessel in the determined placement. Further, the method includes generating movement of the water adjacent the surface of the water in response to the placing.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, William H. Gates, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8679331Abstract: A structure described generally for altering one or more properties within a body of water includes a vessel configured to hold water. The vessel may have at least one wall. The at least one wall extends at least above a mean surface water level. At least one conduit extends downward from the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length that extends below the surface of the water. A propulsion system may be coupled to at least one of the vessel or the conduit and may be configured to provide forces to the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, William H. Gates, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140068661Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic customization of audio-visual content are described. In some implementations, a process may include receiving at least one audio-visual core portion, receiving at least one selection signal indicative of a viewer preference, modifying the audio-visual core portion with at least one revised content portion in accordance with the at least one selection signal to create a dynamically customized audio-visual content, outputting the dynamically-customized audio-visual content; and receiving a consideration for the dynamically-customized audio-visual content.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: William H. Gates, III, Daniel A. Gerrity, Paul Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Keith D. Rosema, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20140040930Abstract: Systems and methods for viewing dynamically customized audio-visual content are described. In some implementations, a process may include providing at least one selection signal indicative of a preference, receiving a dynamically customized audio-visual content including an audio-visual core portion at least partially modified with at least one revised content portion in accordance with the at least one selection signal, and displaying the dynamically-customized audio-visual content.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of DelawareInventors: William H. Gates, III, Daniel A. Gerrity, Paul Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Richard T. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Keith D. Rosema, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20140040931Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic customization of audio-visual content are described. In some implementations, a process may include receiving at least one audio-visual core portion, receiving at least one selection signal indicative of a viewer preference, modifying the audio-visual core portion with at least one revised content portion in accordance with the at least one selection signal to create a dynamically customized audio-visual content, and outputting the dynamically-customized audio-visual content.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: William H. Gates, III, Daniel A. Gerrity, Paul Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Keith D. Rosema, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20140040932Abstract: Systems and methods for viewing dynamically customized audio-visual content are described. In some implementations, a process may include providing at least one selection signal indicative of a viewer preference, receiving a dynamically customized audio-visual content including an audio-visual core portion having at least one revised content portion customized in accordance with the at least one selection signal, displaying the dynamically-customized audio-visual content; and providing a consideration for the dynamically-customized audio-visual content.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of DelawareInventors: William H. Gates, III, Daniel A. Gerrity, Paul Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Richard T. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, Keith D. Rosema, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Patent number: 8626136Abstract: Content management architecture for a portable wireless device. Caching and fetching techniques are provided to improve content handling for portable devices such as cellular telephones and portable computers. A search component automatically performs searches as a background process, and potentially desired content is received and cached by a content storing component to be available in the future when and if needed, mitigating latency associated with slow download speeds, refresh rates, and other system and/or network impediments. Content from background search results can be trickled into the device as part of the background process so as not to burden system resources for other processes. As part of memory management, aged and/or low priority or low interest content can be selectively removed or archived to increase available cache or memory space, as well as to maintain relevant content within the device. A presentation component facilitates presentation of the pre-stored content.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Raymond E. Ozzie, Eric J. Horvitz, William H. Gates, III, Joshua T. Goodman, Susan T. Dumais, Gary W. Flake, Trenholme J. Griffin, Xuedong D. Huang, Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Christopher A Meek
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Publication number: 20130332517Abstract: An art distribution system for distributing art to multiple display devices within an environment. The art distribution system provides a technique for specifying images to be displayed in an environment. The art distribution system provides a hierarchical representation of spaces within the environment. Each space may be further subdivided into subspaces. The art distribution system allows a user to select a space within the hierarchy and then to select an image that is to be displayed at the display devices within the selected space. The art distribution system then displays the selected image within the space including within all subspaces of the selected space. The art distribution system may allow a subsequent assignment of the image to a subspace to override within that subspace the previous selection of an image for the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: William H. Gates IIIInventor: William H. Gates, III
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Patent number: 8601685Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, William H. Gates, III, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 8601598Abstract: A system that enables a cloud-based data repository to function as a secure ‘drop-box’ for data that corresponds to a user is provided. The ‘drop box’ can be facilitated through the use of cryptographic keying technologies. For instance, data that is ‘dropped’ by or on behalf of a particular user can be encrypted using a public key that corresponds to a user-specific private key. Thus, although the data resides within the large pool of ‘cloud-based’ data, it is protected since it can only be decrypted by using the private key, which is kept secret. The innovation can further facilitate user-centric secure storage by partitioning the cloud-based repository into multiple partitions, each of which corresponds to specific indexing criteria.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Raymond E Ozzie, William H. Gates, III, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Alexander G. Gounares, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Debi P. Mishra, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
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Patent number: 8495486Abstract: A computationally-implemented method comprises obtaining at least a portion of data from a data source, determining a content of the data, determining an acceptability of an effect of content of the data at least in part via at least two virtual machine representations of at least a part of a real machine having at least one end-user specified preference, at least one of the at least two virtual machine representations operating at least in part on an individual core of a multi-core system, and displaying at least one data display option based on the determining an acceptability of a content of the data.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Edward K. Y. Jung, Roderick A. Hyde, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Richard F. Rashid, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8489981Abstract: A computationally-implemented method comprises retrieving at least a portion of data from a data source, determining an acceptability of an effect of the retrieved at least a portion of the data at least in part via a virtual machine representation of at least a part of an end user's real machine having one or more end-user specified preferences, and providing at least one data display option to the end user's real machine based on the determining acceptability of the effect of the retrieved at least a portion of the data.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Richard F. Rashid, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8474027Abstract: A user-centric or identity-centric resource licensing system that manages access to ‘cloud-based’ resources (e.g., applications and services) is provided. A ‘cloud’ refers to a collection of resources (e.g., hardware and/or software) provided and maintained by an off-site or off-premise party (e.g., third party), wherein the collection of resources can be accessed by an identified user via a network. In accordance with the user-centric licensing model, the resource license (and subscription) rights can migrate with a user without regard to physical location, device used, or other contextual factors (e.g., activity engaged). Effectively, the rights are mapped (and tracked) as a function of a user identity, which can be a core identity or an identity based upon activity engaged, role, capacity, etc.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Lili Cheng, Nishant V. Dani, Daniel S. Glasser, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey