Patents Assigned to Microsoft
  • Patent number: 9846522
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to interacting with a graphical user interface in a manner to facilitate hands-free operation. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method including outputting to a display device a user interface that displays graphical representations of a plurality of alignable user interface objects, each alignable user interface object representing a selectable object. The method further includes receiving depth data from an imaging device, the image data capturing an image of a face directed toward the display device. The method further comprises changing an alignment condition of a first user interface object of the plurality of alignable user interface objects to move the first user interface object into an aligned condition, and changing an alignment condition of a second user interface object to move the second user interface object out of an aligned condition based on the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: David Cohen, Sagi Katz, Dani Daniel, Giora Yahav
  • Patent number: 9848328
    Abstract: A data channel transmission can be used to authenticate a voice channel transmission. An authentication server can authenticate the identity of one or more parties to a call where at least one of the parties to the call is using a mobile device. A PKI authentication methodology or other symmetric or asymmetric encryption/decryption methodology can be used in a mobile network environment to identify and authenticate a first user to a second user. The authentication request sent to the third party trusted server can be encrypted, signed and transmitted over a data channel (such as an internet connection or SMS or MMS connection), concurrent with the voice channel transmission. In response to validation by the third party trusted server, the third party trusted server can send an authentication indication to the second user's device, which can display identification information and other (optional) data associated with the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Omer Har, Ittai Doron, Chen Ari Kirsch, Avigad Oron, Keren Master
  • Patent number: 9847960
    Abstract: Methods and systems of dynamically updating content in e-mail messages are described. In some embodiments, an e-mail message is generated. The e-mail message comprises existing content viewable within an e-mail client and is configured to initiate a modification of the existing content within the e-mail message by the e-mail client subsequent to the e-mail message being downloaded by the e-mail client. The modification of the existing content is viewable within the e-mail client. The generated e-mail message is sent to an e-mail account from which a user can view the e-mail message within the e-mail client. In some embodiments, the e-mail message is further configured to cause the e-mail client to obtain new content from a remote server for use in the modification of the existing content within the e-mail message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Vohra, Martin Alexander Kleppmann, Lee Mallabone
  • Patent number: 9846049
    Abstract: Driving history of a user with regard to a particular road intersection can be collected and retained in storage. A Markov model can be used to predict likelihood of the user making a particular decision regarding the intersection. A highest likelihood decision can be identified and used to create a travel route. In addition, contextual information can be taken into account when creating the route, such as time of day, road conditions, user situation, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: John Charles Krumm
  • Patent number: 9846605
    Abstract: A server computing architecture is provided that uses minimal download features and includes error failover functionality. A server computer may receive an electronic page request and calculate a delta between a known static baseline electronic page and the requested electronic page. The static baseline electronic page may include an electronic page without content that utilizes a master electronic page. The master electronic page may include shared content for electronic pages associated with a website. The server computer may further determine whether one more errors are associated with rendering the calculated delta, render a payload comprising only the calculated delta upon determining an absence of the one or more errors and failover to one or more options upon determining that the one or more errors are associated with rendering the calculated delta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Arye Gittelman, Petru Mihai Moldovanu, Sterling J. Crockett, Cindy Liao Hartwig, Erin Megan Riley, Xiaomei Wang
  • Patent number: 9848283
    Abstract: A system in which a discovering wireless device formulates a first discovery zone. In response to discovering a discoverable wireless device within the zone, the discovering wireless device establish a wireless communication channel with the discoverable wireless device using a powered wireless protocol, and communicates security data with the discoverable wireless device using the wireless communication channel. The discovering wireless device also formulates a second discovery zone that is larger than the first discovery zone, and uses the security data to pair with a target device within the second discovery zone. Thus, pairing is significantly simplified from a user perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Lovitt, Jason R. Farmer, Ted E. Dinklocker, Craig S. Brenner, Darko Kirovski
  • Patent number: 9848364
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to data communication in wireless communication systems. The device determines availability of scheduled serving cell before data communication and informs a device the determined availability of the scheduled serving cell. Depending upon the determined availability, the device is controlled to perform the data communication on the scheduled serving cell or another available serving cell. In this way, the unfinished data communication, for example, retransmission of a data block in an uplink or downlink HARQ process can be continued on an available serving cell, whereby avoiding large transmission delay and throughput loss in the wireless communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Haipeng Lei, Kodo Shu
  • Publication number: 20170357701
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a so-called companion experience in which content consumed on a primary screen can serve as a source for an automatic search that returns related content that can be presented on an auxiliary screen. The companion experience can be considered to reside in a layer that can be moved across different screens. The different screens can include different physical screens, such as those associated with different computing devices, or the same physical screen in which the companion experience would be rendered in a frame or sub-window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sean E. Kollenkark, Andrew P. Oakley, Cory J. Cirrincione, Douglas D. Berrett, Joseph L. McClanahan
  • Publication number: 20170357293
    Abstract: The description relates to devices that can include a base assembly, upper assembly, an arm, and a conductor. In one example the base assembly can include a base shaft and the upper assembly can include an upper shaft. The arm can be secured to the base shaft and the upper shaft to translate a range of rotation of the arm around the base shaft to rotation around the display shaft. The conductor can extend from the base assembly into the arm parallel to the base shaft and extend from the arm into the upper assembly parallel to the upper shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. HEWETT, Daniel C. PARK, Brian T. WHITMAN
  • Publication number: 20170357392
    Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse Clay SATTERFIELD, Aaron M. BUTCHER, David A. MORTON, Jensen M. HARRIS, Justin DENNEY
  • Publication number: 20170357089
    Abstract: An apparatus having optical waveguides for providing a large FOV is disclosed. A first light engine projects light into an input diffractive coupler of a first waveguide at a first central angle. An output coupler of the first waveguide projects the light out of the first optical waveguide. A second light engine projects light into an input diffractive coupler of a second waveguide at a second central angle that is greater than the first central angle. An output coupler of the second waveguide projects the light out of the second optical waveguide to intersect with the light projected out of the first optical waveguide. The first waveguide may be used to project a first part of an image into a central portion of a user's vision. The second waveguide may be used to project a second part of the image into a peripheral portion of the user's vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jani Tervo, Tuomas Vallius
  • Publication number: 20170357731
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and system for generating a webpage using one or more terms in a hierarchical taxonomy. Specifically, embodiments provide for identifying an item in a database where the item is associated with at least one term in a term set having a hierarchical structure. A uniform resource locator is generated for the webpage using the at least one term and the hierarchical structure associated with the at least one term. An identifier associated with the item is then determined and appended to the generated uniform resource locator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Carl Miller, Peter Blair Gonzalez del Solar, Daniel E. Kogan
  • Publication number: 20170357294
    Abstract: The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. The example can also include a pair of self-regulating hinge assemblies rotatably securing hinge ends of the first and second portions around a first hinge axis associated with the first portion and a second hinge axis associated with the second hinge axis so that an extent of rotation around the first hinge axis corresponds to an extent of rotation around the second hinge axis. The example can also include a first display positioned on the first portion and wrapped around the hinge end between the pair of self-regulating hinge assemblies. The example can further include a second display positioned on the second portion and wrapped around the hinge end between the pair of self-regulating hinge assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kabir Siddiqui, Karsten Aagaard, Anthony C. Reed, Benoit Guillaume Henri Rouger, Ying Zheng, Errol M. Tazbaz
  • Publication number: 20170357521
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for intent-based, dynamic generation and display of task icons within virtual keyboards are provided herein. A system can include a processor, an intent classifier, and a user interface generator. The intent classifier can be configured to determine user intent candidates based on contextual information. A user interface generator can be configured to generate the virtual keyboard for display and, upon receiving an indication of a user intent determined based on the user intent candidates, generate a task icon within the virtual keyboard. The task icon represents functionality associated with the determined user intent. Interaction with the task icon in the virtual keyboard can launch functionality associated with the determined intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Paek, Cole R. Benson, Asela J. Gunawardana, Zachary D. Oligschlaeger, Alisher Saydalikhodjayev
  • Publication number: 20170359386
    Abstract: Architecture that employs encryption and storage of encryption keys to protect trusted client message content from an untrusted third-party hosted service. Each trusted user machine is configured to optionally apply security to messages. Rules determine when automatic protection is applied and the level of protection to apply. The trusted client automatically downloads the rules (or rules policies) from a trusted rules service and caches the rules locally. During composition, the rules analyze the message and automatically apply security template(s) to the message. The security template(s) encrypt the body of the message, but not the headers or subject. The untrusted message service processes the header and delivers the message to the correct recipient. The hosted service cannot view the contents of the message body, and only intended recipients of the protected message can view the message body. Offline protection is supported, and the user can override protection by the rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Edward T. Banti, Frank Byrum, Mayerber L. Carvalho Neto, James R. Knibb, Palash Biswas, Christopher Barnes
  • Publication number: 20170357396
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing electronic distribution of filtered calendars. The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving control data. The control data may be configured to indicate a portion of master calendar data a user designates to transmit. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include filtering the master calendar data based on the control data to create filtered calendar data and transmitting the filtered calendar data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Cameron D. Stillion, Hans J. Bjordahl, Brian J. Tsang
  • Publication number: 20170358131
    Abstract: A system and method for tap event location includes a device using a selection apparatus that provides accurate point locations. The device determines a 3-dimensional map of a scene in the view frustum of the device relative to a coordinate frame. The device receives an indication of the occurrence of a tap event comprising a contact of the selection apparatus with a subject, and determines the location of the tap event relative to the coordinate frame from the location of the selection apparatus. The location of the tap event may be used to determine a subject. Data associated with the subject may then be processed to provide effects in, or data about, the scene in the view frustum of the device. Embodiments include a selection apparatus that communicates occurrences of tap events to the device and includes features that allow the device to determine the location of the selection apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Weiss, Xiaoyan Hu
  • Publication number: 20170358021
    Abstract: A computing system for managing product customization is provided. The computing system includes instructions stored in memory and executable by a processor to receive, for each of a plurality of parts of a 3D product, a color selection input specifying a color selected by a user for that part, responsive to receiving the color selection inputs, generate a color histogram of the 3D product including a plurality of units, each unit being associated with one of the parts and assigned the color of that part, where the number of units allocated to each part is based on a size of the part, and display the color histogram in a graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Wheeler, Craig R. Maitlen, Devin Brown, Jurgen Brenkert
  • Patent number: D805548
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Spencer King, Lisa Joy Stifelman, Emily Grace Sappington, Alice Jane Bernheim Brush, Shane Jeremy Landry, Mouni Reddy, Annie Lenore Smith, Jeffrey Spencer Davison, Sara Nopwan Siritaratiwat
  • Patent number: D805555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Jansen, Kelly Brownlee