Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
  • Patent number: 8117226
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual folder sharing, including utilization of static and dynamic lists. Static and dynamic lists may be created as types of virtual folders. Virtual folders expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. A static list consists of a folder of items that are in a specific order, while a dynamic list gathers a set of items based on a scope and a set of criteria. When a list is shared, the actual list is left in place on the sharer's machine or server, while permission is granted to the sharee to remotely access the list and the referenced items. If the list is changed by adding or removing items, these items are also automatically re-permissioned to allow or disallow the sharee to have access to the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammed Samji, David G. De Vorchik, Ram Ramasubramanian, Chris J. Guzak, Timothy P. McKee, Nathaniel H. Ballou, Balan Sethu Raman
  • Patent number: 8112771
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform methods in accordance with embodiments hereof, for managing component programs within a service application according to a service model. Initially, configuration settings, which can be administered to the component programs, are extracted from the service model. An instantiation process is initiated to manage the service application in accordance with the changes to a level of load on the service application and/or to specifications within the service model. The instantiation process includes deploying, or identifying as available, the component programs within the data center, and automatically propagating formalized values derived from the configuration settings throughout the deployed component programs. These derived formalized values are installed into the component programs, thereby providing for functionality of the service application consistent with the service model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Bernabeu-Auban, Yousef A. Khalidi
  • Patent number: 8112409
    Abstract: A system, media, and method for selecting future queries are provided. The selected future queries are used to transmit appropriate online advertising to a user that issues queries to a search engine. The search engine is coupled to a prediction component that predicts what subject the user is going to be interested in and when the user will be interested in the subject. The prediction component returns a future query using statistical language models representing a query history of the user and aggregate query histories for a community of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dou Shen, Ying Li
  • Patent number: 8112294
    Abstract: A system and associated methods for orchestrating a collaboration session are disclosed. One method involves orchestrating a collaboration session between a requesting clinician and another clinician where information is exchanged electronically. According to the method, requests for collaboration sessions are received by a computer system from the requesting clinician, with a given request related to a piece of patient-focused clinical data. Each request is analyzed to build a roster of potentially available clinicians for collaboration. A collaboration session is then facilitated between the requesting clinician and one or more of the potentially available clinicians on the roster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. McCallie, Jr., Christopher S. Finn, David J. O'Larte, Steven S. Crooks
  • Patent number: 8112770
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture or extension to a window manager. In particular, the extension can provide for a window rotation feature that can be exposed as a rotate button. Additionally or alternatively, the rotation feature can be activated based upon a diverse set of conditions, events, and/or commands. Upon activation of the rotation feature, the window manager can rotate a window about an axis to expose a secondary surface that can be populated with alternative content that is distinct from the content of the primary surface of the window. In addition, the architecture provides techniques for identifying both double-sided graphical objects and potentially double-sided objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Horvitz, David M. Chickering, Gary W. Flake, Lili Cheng, Alexander G. Gounares
  • Patent number: 8104290
    Abstract: The present invention are directed towards a system and method for providing a way of reducing the vibrations and wear between mating components of a gas turbine combustor. The gas turbine combustor includes a flow sleeve having a plurality of liner stops and a combustion liner located radially within the flow sleeve. Spring dampers are positioned between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve to restrict the relative movement between the flow sleeve and the combustion liner and dampen vibrations at their assembly location. The spring dampers are capable of compressing to permit thermal growth between the combustion liner and flow sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, Carlos Calderon
  • Patent number: 8104891
    Abstract: A face protector includes a one piece shield in which an optical center is displaced away from the normal straight ahead line of sight toward an activity specific line of sight to minimize image shift that occurs when a direction of gaze passes across the edge of the shield. An apex of the shield is formed at a forwardmost point of the shield, or a virtual extension of the shield, when the shield is in an as worn position on a wearer. In particular examples, an optical axis extends through the optical center, at a non-zero angle to the normal straight ahead line of sight and substantially parallel to the activity specific line of sight, with the optical center being placed away from the apex. In particular examples, the optical axis is closer to (or coincident with) an activity specific line of sight of one of the right or left eye. The face protector is particularly useful in activities such as sports, for example hockey, football, or baseball which involve activity specific lines of sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Karl Citek
  • Patent number: 8108244
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems for forecasting demand and availability of resources of a geographic region are provided. Physical, operational, traffic and construction data for a geographic region for a specified time period is utilized to compare the operational needs for at least one resource for a geographic region to the available resources to forecast demands and availability of the at least one resource for the geographic region over the specified time period and determine whether the demand for the at least one resource exceeds the availability of the at least one resource. The forecasted demand and availability of the at least one resource for the geographic region for the specified time period is stored and presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: HNTB Holdings Ltd
    Inventors: Scott Keith Fehnel, Nathan Lee Otto
  • Patent number: 8103445
    Abstract: Provided is a single repository for capturing, connecting, sharing, and visualizing information based on a geographic location, for example. Detailed information can be dynamically rendered as a function of a user parameter, which can include a user demographic, a user profile, and a user preference information. Map information and advertisements displayed in conjunction with the map information can be dynamically rendered as a function of a user advertising preference. If a user prefers one product over another product, a first advertisement for the less preferred product can be replaced with a second advertisement for the preferred product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard Smith, Gur Kimchi, Eyal Ofek
  • Patent number: 8103652
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon for permitting webmasters to explicitly specify links or other web pages that the webmaster believes visitors to the web site or web page are interested in viewing are provided. Systems and methods for identifying explicitly-specified site-link data upon crawling the web site, indexing the site-link data in association with the web site or a web page, and exposing at least a portion of such site-link data when the associated web site and/or web page surfaces as the result of an input search query are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tabreez Govani, Srinath Aaleti
  • Patent number: 8100532
    Abstract: The eye movement, body movement, and/or physiological performance of a subject may tracked while the subject performs a task, such as participating in an activity or sport. The collected data may then be used to identify correlations between the subject's eyesight and the subject's body movement exists and/or physiology. Such a correlation may be analyzed (e.g., over time) to determine any delays or gaps in the subject's ability to track an object, such as a ball, while participating in a sport or other activity. Further, a subject's performance may be compared to data collected from other individuals. The eye movement, body movement, and/or physiological performance data may be used to test and/or train the visual and cognitive abilities of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb Yoo, Alan W. Reichow
  • Patent number: 8103525
    Abstract: Methods, computer storage media, systems and user interfaces that guide a clinician to complete medical documentation. The method, computer storage media, system and user interfaces include presenting a first medical documentation set to indicate a medical aspect for which medical data is to be documented. At least one of the medical documentation elements in the first set is linked to a second medical documentation set. A selection of one of the linked medical documentation elements in the first set is received, and the second medical documentation set is presented. An attribute for at least one of the medical data fields in the first or second set is received, and the attributes received for the first and the second medical documentation sets are aggregated into a medical data group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Kelly, Mary Gannon
  • Patent number: 8103967
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage media for generating a virtual workspace that references online media content of interest, facilitates re-visitation of encountered instances of content, and shares those instances with other software applications are provided. Upon receiving an indication that an online media content item has been selected, at least a reference thereto is copied to a virtual workspace where it may be accessed at a later time. The virtual workspace may be organized into content collections via the use of reference groupings, folders, categories, tags, labels, and the like and may be accessible in the context of a plurality of applications. In embodiments, the virtual workspace is associated with a display area that is presented concurrently with an application being utilized so that the virtual workspace may be accessed and utilized without leaving the context of an active application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ariel J. Lazier, Hugh E. Williams, Timothy C. Hoad, Joshua Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 8095892
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) view of a data collection based on an attribute is disclosed. A timeline is provided for displaying files and folders. The timeline may include a focal group that displays detailed information about its contents to the user. Remaining items on the timeline are displayed in less detail and may be positioned to appear further away from the user. A histogram may be provided as part of the view to allow the user to more easily navigate the timeline to find a desired file or folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Ray Anthony, Stephane St-Michel, Zeke Book Odins-Lucas, Jordan Luther King Schwartz, Richard Malcolm Banks, Marcus Simmon Howell Harvey, Charles Cummins, Charles W. Stabb, Mark Richard Ligameri
  • Patent number: 8092271
    Abstract: An interactive toy for playing a game with a user of the toy includes electrical components for producing audible messages to instruct user actions. The toy also includes a hat having a brim movable between up and down positions. The position of the brim determines the play sequence of the toy and the audible messages played thereby by way of an activation mechanism. The toy is switched between “hide me” and “locate me” modes based on the position of the brim. An abbreviated trial mode is provided by way of a removable pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer R. Garbos, Rebecca A. Hottel, Nancy Lynn Short, Timothy Roger Staley
  • Patent number: 8095378
    Abstract: A method in a computer system for preparing for a clinical event is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of identifying a preference card associated with the clinical event, the preference card including a list of predefined clinical item values, accessing at least one patient-specific demographic value; determining whether at least one of the predefined clinical item values is incompatible with at least one patient-specific demographic value, and updating the preference card if at least one of the predefined clinical item values is incompatible with at least one patient-specific demographic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zimmerman, Melissa A. Morawitz, Lawrence J. Licata
  • Patent number: 8094168
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for adding a secondary content to a display with underutilized space are provided. If a primary content, such as a movie, does not fill the entire display then the display includes underutilized space. The dimensions and location of underutilized space, if any, is determined using the characteristics of the display and the primary content. Secondary content, such as advertisements, may then be displayed in the underutilized space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Douglas Carnahan, Michael Novi, Bill Burton
  • Patent number: 8091363
    Abstract: Embodiments for an apparatus and associated method for reducing the residence time in a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. The embodiments of the present invention comprise a fuel nozzle that extends to a downstream plane of an end cap for a combustion liner where the axial distance of the premixer is reduced, however the swirl for mixing the fuel and air, is increased. As a result, the mixing of the fuel and air is essentially unchanged, thereby allowing higher air pressures and operating temperatures within the premixer without inducing auto-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Sullivan, Peter Stuttaford, Robert J. Kraft, Khalid Oumejjoud, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 8090532
    Abstract: As a pedestrian travels, various difficulties can be encountered, such as traveling through an unsafe neighborhood or being in an open area that is subject to harsh temperatures. A route can be developed for a person taking into account factors that specifically affect a pedestrian. Moreover, the route can alter as a situation of a user changes; for instance, if a user wants to add a stop along a route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan J. Tashev, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Patent number: 8090608
    Abstract: A method to identify technological solutions for user-centric product designs is disclosed. The method includes acquiring knowledge of a user-centric product goal and a user outcome, identifying actions that may achieve the desired user outcome, and identifying tasks pertaining to each action. Upon identifying actions that may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome and identifying tasks corresponding to each action, technology may then be considered and technological solutions for performing the tasks may be determined. A visual depiction of the technological solutions charted to the corresponding tasks may be provided to assist with designing a product best suited for product users. The identified technological solutions may be implemented into the product design to produce a user-centric product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Lisa J. Schnack