Patents Assigned to Microsoft Corporation
  • Application-specific mapping of input device elements
    Publication number: 20080250429
    Abstract: A method for carrying out application-specific mapping of input device elements (for example, human input device buttons). The method includes, from an application matching program, determining, for an application program, whether a control element event (for example, a mouse button click event) needs to carry out an action that is specific to the application program, or to perform its default action. The application matching program is configured to execute independently of the application program. A computing system that is capable of carrying out the above method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alice Lockhart, Vincent Ball, Kevin Smith
  • CATEGORIZATION OF DOCUMENTS USING PART-OF-SPEECH SMOOTHING
    Publication number: 20080249762
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for classifying documents based on the subjectivity of the content of the documents using a part-of-speech analysis to help account for unseen words. A classification system trains a classifier using the parts of speech of training documents so that the classifier can classify unseen words based on the part of speech of the unseen word. The classification system then trains a part-of-speech model using the parts of speech of the n-grams of training data and labels of the training documents, and trains a term model using the term unigrams and labels. To classify a target document, the classification system applies the part-of-speech model to the part-of-speech n-grams of the target document and the term model to term n-grams of the target document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Jian-Tao Sun, Shen Huang, Zheng Chen
  • Parallel installation
    Publication number: 20080250405
    Abstract: Installation of multiple servers with interdependencies is done in parallel steps, with each server advancing in sequence with other servers. When a second server is dependent on a first server during the installation process, the first server may finish a task and send a message to the second server to attempt an installation step that depends on the first server. If a problem occurs, the second server may revert to a configuration state before the attempted step and the first server may reattempt the installation step on which the second server depends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alireza Farhangi, Israel Hilerio
  • Printer Redirection
    Publication number: 20080246985
    Abstract: In client-server architectures, systems and methods for XPS based printer redirection are disclosed. In an implementation, a client computing device issues a print command to print an application hosted on a server computing device. The server computing device implements a generic printer driver to emulate exact properties of a client printer driver installed in the client computing device. The generic printer driver redirects one or more calls related to printer settings to the client printer driver. The client computing device returns the printer settings which are combined with the application (to be printed) to generate an XPS file. The XPS file is redirected to a printer connected to the client computing device for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Makarand Patwardhan, Vladimir Stoyanov, Gaurav Daga, Mahadeva Alladi, Nelly Porter
  • Query Specialization
    Publication number: 20080250008
    Abstract: A system, a method and computer-readable media for identifying and presenting potential query refinements for a user's search input. Documents are identified as being responsive to the search input. A query log is accessed to identify previously entered queries that also returned one or more of the identified documents. From these previously entered queries, a portion of the queries are selected as potential query refinements. Thereafter, the potential query refinements are displayed to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sreenivas Gollapudi, Rakesh Agrawal, Evimaria Terzi
  • Virtual Machine Support for Metered Computer Usage
    Publication number: 20080250406
    Abstract: A virtual machine monitor provides a trusted operating environment for a software usage metering application when a qualified virtual machine monitor is loaded as part of trusted boot and when all other programs and operating systems run in containers managed by the virtual machine monitor. The virtual machine monitor may also host a locking application for limiting the functionality of the computer if contractual terms of use are not met. Both the metering and locking applications run at a higher privilege level than ring 0, at the same level as the virtual machine monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd L. Carpenter, William J. Westerinen, Thomas G. Phillips, Curt Andrew Steeb, Zhangwei Xu, Alexander Frank
  • System and Method for Binding a Subscription-Based Computing System to an Internet Service Provider
    Publication number: 20080250129
    Abstract: A system for binding a subscription-based computer to an internet service provider (ISP) may include a binding module and a security module residing on the computer. The binding module may identify and authenticate configuration data from peripheral devices that attempt to connect to the computer, encrypt any requests for data from the computer to the ISP, and decrypt responses from the ISP. If the binding module is able to authenticate the configuration data and the response to the request for data from the ISP, then the security module may allow the communication between the computer and the ISP. However, if either the configuration cycle or the response cannot be properly verified, then the security module may degrade operation of the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd Carpenter, Shon Schmidt, David J. Sebesta, William J. Westerinen
  • Seamless Window Implementation for Windows Presentation Foundation based Applications
    Publication number: 20080250424
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for implementing seamless window support for applications, such as applications based on Windows® Presentation Foundation (WPF). Seamless support for WPF applications can be implemented by remoting information associated with structural representation of the applications from a remote server to a remote client. The structural representation may be replicated at the client in accordance with the structural information. The replicated structural representation is utilized to render visual content associated with the application by local rendering mechanisms at the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MS1 - Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Brugiolo, Leonardo Blanco, Nadim Abdo, Dorin Oreste Ungureanu
  • SENSOR ARRAY POST-FILTER FOR TRACKING SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF SIGNALS AND NOISE
    Publication number: 20080247274
    Abstract: A “Sensor Array Post-Filter” provides an adaptive post-filter that accurately models and suppresses both diffuse and directional noise sources as well as interfering speech sources. The post-filter is applied to an output signal produced by a beamformer used to process signals produced by a sensor array. As a result, the Sensor Array Post-Filter operates to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of beamformer output signals by providing adaptive post-filtering of the output signals. The post-filter is generated based on a generative statistical model for modeling signal and noise sources at distinct regions in a signal field that considers prior distributions trained to model an instantaneous direction of arrival for signals captured by sensors in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael L. Seltzer, Ivan Tashev
  • Signaling Over Cellular Networks to Reduce the Wi-Fi Energy Consumption of Mobile Devices
    Publication number: 20080247344
    Abstract: Techniques for increasing the battery life on a mobile device by decreasing the energy consumption of the mobile device's wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) interface are described. In one embodiment, the mobile device's Wi-Fi interface is automatically disabled when the device is not engaged in a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call via the Wi-Fi interface. When a VoIP call is initiated on the device, or when the device receives a wake up call from a server via its Cellular interface, the Wi-Fi interface is automatically enabled. Using its Wi-Fi interface, the mobile device then connects to an IP-based network via a Wi-Fi access point. The server then initiates a direct call, wherein VoIP technology is used by the mobile device, between the mobile device and a VoIP calling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paramvir Bahl, Ranveer Chandra, Kevin Chin, Alastair Wolman, Yuvraj Agarwal
  • Synchronizing external documentation with code development
    Publication number: 20080250394
    Abstract: Documentation is automatically updated in response to the source code being modified without requiring human intervention. Elements within the source code are marked such that when changes are made to the marked elements within the source code, the documentation is updated to reflect the changes. Therefore, the code may continue to be modified while simultaneously allowing the documentation to be developed. The documentation is stored externally from the source code such that rich formatting may be applied to the documentation and that the documentation process does not inadvertently corrupt the source code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Jones, Tristan A. Davis
  • Image-based localization for addresses
    Publication number: 20080249702
    Abstract: The present localization system determines a precise location for an address based on images. Some implementations identify the precise location using one image. Other implementations identify the precise location using multiple images. While still other implementations identify the precise location by interpolation, which uses precise locations of addresses nearby that were previously localized using one or more images. The images used in determining the precise locations have a visual feature associated with the address appearing in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eyal Ofek, Pragyana K. Mishra
  • Recorded Content Management
    Publication number: 20080247724
    Abstract: A recorded content management system determines when recorded content maintained in a television-based entertainment and information system has been watched by a viewer. When a segment or percentage of the recorded content for a particular program is displayed for viewing, it is determined whether the program has been watched so that the recorded content, or a portion of the recorded content, can be queued for deletion, or maintained for additional viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Bruce A. Leak, David J. Cheng, Shannon B. Vosseller, Marcus Tai-Tong Aiu
  • System for Financial Documentation Conversion
    Publication number: 20080250157
    Abstract: A method to prepare an Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) document in a web-hosted server includes authenticating a user, uploading financial information from a spreadsheet, storing the information, and processing the data into an XBRL compliant document for transmittal to a financial regulatory agency. The process takes an input from an Excel™ spreadsheet and produces a financial statement in XBRL format while providing a full audit trail for the document conversion and authorization including manual inputs to the final-form submission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Ohata
  • IN SITU SEARCH FOR ACTIVE NOTE TAKING
    Publication number: 20080250012
    Abstract: A system and method that facilitates and effectuates in situ search for active note taking. The system and method includes receiving gestures from a stylus and a tablet associated with the system. Upon recognizing the gesture as belonging to a set of known and recognized gestures, the system creates an embeddable object, initiates a search with terms indicated by the gesture, associates the search results with the created object and inserts the object in close proximity with the terms that instigated the search.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Hinckley, Shengdong Zhao, Raman K. Sarin, Patrick M. Baudisch, Edward B. Cutrell, Michael Shilman, Desney S. Tan
  • Uniform metadata retrieval
    Publication number: 20080250000
    Abstract: A method for uniform metadata retrieval generates an interface for requesting metadata from a relational database. A hierarchical metadata request can be received via the interface. The hierarchical metadata request can be translated into a relational database metadata request. The relational database metadata request is utilized to retrieve metadata from the relational database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michiel Wories, Ciprian Gerea, Marius Popa
  • Content commenting and monetization
    Publication number: 20080250327
    Abstract: A code is included in content, which code allows a user to use a comment tool to select some or all of the content, to create and submit comments, and to view previously submitted content selections and comments in conjunction with additional content. The additional content may comprise advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Li, Tarek Najm, Philip A. Lee
  • Outgoing call classification and disposition
    Publication number: 20080247530
    Abstract: An automated intelligent component (the Personal Virtual Assistant or PVA) is located between a caller and a callee. A caller calls the PVA and directs the PVA to make one or more calls to one or more call recipients. Based on the information obtained from a voice or text dialog with the caller and a combination of other available informational sources, the disposition of an outgoing call is determined and acted upon by PVA. During the call the PVA remains available to take further actions at the request of the call participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Barton, Francisco M. Galanes, Anand Ramakrishna, Vishwa Ranjan, Tal Saraf
  • Operating System Independent Architecture for Subscription Computing
    Publication number: 20080250237
    Abstract: A system for managing a subscription-based computer independent of an operating system of the computer may include a security module that accesses, decrements, and stores subscription data during operation of the subscription-based computer. Additionally, the system may include a network module in communication with the security module and comprising a network stack, a web server, and a user interface in an operating system independent format. A web browser of the computer may request the user interface from the network stack. The interface may be populated with the subscription data, and a network driver may retrieve the populated user interface from the network module. The populated interface may then be sent to the web server to be served back to the requesting web browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Sebesta, Shon Schmidt, William J. Westerinen, Todd Carpenter
  • CONTROL SCHEME FOR REAL TIME STRATEGY GAME
    Publication number: 20080248848
    Abstract: A control scheme for a real time strategy game using a game controller includes maintaining a cursor in a known, fixed position of the monitor in a manner so that it appears the game space if moving behind a cursor even during changing viewing positions such as tilting movements. The control scheme further includes other aspects including a technique for selecting units using the game controller and interacting with menus using the game controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rippy, Timothy A. Deen, Angelo J. Laudon, Graeme Devine