Patents Examined by Andrea Long
  • Patent number: 10223757
    Abstract: Information can be provided in a convenient manner to help a user decide what events to attend. The information can include information regarding a popularity of the events. The popularity of the events can be based upon the number of people expected to attend, the number of the user's friends expected to attend, and/or the number of people fitting user-defined criteria who are expected to attend. The events for a user-specified time period can be shown on a map along with information representing the popularity of the events. Thus, the user can choose to attend those events in the user's area which are more popular. The map can be displayed on a user device, such as a cellular telephone. In this manner, the user can more readily attend those particular events which the user is more likely to enjoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EBAY INC.
    Inventors: Ramon Elias, Matthew B. Gustke, Srini Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 10126911
    Abstract: Embodiments include providing multiple discernible indicia that provide an indication of behaviors associated with selection of a particular link. The multiple discernible indicia may include visually-discernible graphical icons configured to be displayed as a pictorial image that visually represents a behavior associated with selection of the particular link. The visually-discernible graphical icons may include a first icon that, when selected, causes a default behavior associated with the link selection to occur, and a second icon that, when selected, causes an alternative behavior associated with the link selection to occur. Also, responsive to receiving a user-provided modifier, the first or second icon may be replaced with a third icon that visually represents a different alternative behavior to occur that is different than both the default and alternative behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron J. Sauve, Anthony T. Chor, Stephan Hoefnagels
  • Patent number: 10104022
    Abstract: A messaging system for a live event is described. A processing device provides a user interface having at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a media player streaming a live event having at least one active participant. The user interface is different from a native interface of an event hosting platform. The processing device receives one or more active participant messages entered via the native interface of the event hosting platform during the live event. The processing device also receives one or more viewer messages via the second portion of the user interface during the live event. The processing device provides the one or more active participant messages and the one or more viewer message for presentation in the second portion of the user interface during the live event. The presented viewer messages are integrated with the active participant messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Justin Lewis, Kevin Greene
  • Patent number: 10104436
    Abstract: We disclose a technology implemented on a computer that automates sequential display of messages, typically videos, which appear on a user's display screen in the same place or in overlapping areas of a single window in a browser. In particular, this relates to displaying a message that arbitrarily may be in a different format than a requested video, with the first message programmed to appear before or after the requested video in substantially the same area of the user's display screen where the requested video will appear or has appeared. The message and the requested video are sequenced without any need to match formats or players used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Beachfront Media LLC
    Inventor: Frank Sinton
  • Patent number: 10095390
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for inserting and presenting video objects linked to a source video are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: identifying a plurality of video objects associated with a content creator, wherein each of the plurality of video objects comprises a portion of a video associated with the content creator; causing a plurality of selectable inputs each corresponding to at least one video object to be presented by a first user device, wherein at least one of the selectable inputs corresponds to at least one of the plurality of video objects associated with the content creator; receiving an indication that one of the plurality of selectable inputs from the first user device was selected; identifying a video object to be presented by a second user device based on the received indication; and causing the identified video object to be presented by the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Justin Lewis, Gavin James
  • Patent number: 10082928
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a contribution action detecting unit configured to detect a contribution action representing a contribution from a user to a target, a contribution degree giving unit configured to give the user a contribution degree in accordance with the contribution action, a virtual distance setting unit configured to set a virtual distance which is a virtual distance between the user and the target on the basis of an integrated value of the given contribution degree of the user, and a contribution degree notification screen display control unit configured to control a display of a contribution degree notification screen in which the set virtual distance is visually expressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruto Takeda, Shinya Ohtani, Ryoki Honjo, Yoshihiro Wakita
  • Patent number: 10067667
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating employing touch gestures to control or manipulate a web-based application. The example method includes employing a browser running on a device with a touch-sensitive display to access content provided via a website; determining a context associated with the content, including ascertaining one or more user interface controls to be presented via a display screen used to present the content, and providing a first signal in response thereto; receiving touch input from a touch-sensitive display and providing a second signal in response thereto; and using the second signal to manipulate the display screen in accordance with the context associated with the content presented via the display screen. A library of touch gestures can represent common functions through touch movement patterns. These gestures may be context sensitive so as not to conflict with default touch tablet gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Darryl M. Shakespeare
  • Patent number: 10055113
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves systems, products, and methods for modifying elements within a user interface (UI). One method includes operations for identifying an instance of a UI text element for modification within a UI associated with a software application, wherein the UI is displayed to at least one user; retrieving a set of metadata associated with the identified instance of the UI text element, where each instance of the UI text element is associated with the retrieved set of metadata; receiving at least one modification to the retrieved set of metadata associated with the identified instance of the UI text element; and persisting the modified set of metadata associated with the UI text element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Frank Brunswig, Frank Jentsch, Bare Said
  • Patent number: 10057196
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an instant messaging interaction method, system, server, and storage medium. The method includes: receiving, by a client side, an answer character string corresponding to a particular question input by a user via a first account; sending, by the client side, the answer character string and corresponding user property information to a server; searching, by the server, the particular question and a target answer thereof according to the user property information, and matching and verifying, by the server, the answer character string with the target answer; and when the verification is successful, returning, by the server, a first notice to a client side for displaying, and scoring preset property of the first account based on a preset rule. The instant messaging interaction method, system, and server provided in the present disclosure stimulate the question-and-answer interaction between instant messaging users, which improves the effectiveness of the interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Wanying Zhang
  • Patent number: 10025389
    Abstract: A computer apparatus is associated with a graphical display presenting at least one GUI-component adapted to be manipulated based on user-generated commands. An event engine is adapted to receive an eye-tracking data signal that describes a user's point of regard on the display. Based on the signal, the event engine produces a set of non-cursor controlling event output signals, which influence the at least one GUI-component. Each non-cursor controlling event output signal describes a particular aspect of the user's ocular activity in respect of the display. Initially, the event engine receives a control signal request from each of the at least one GUI-component. The control signal request defines a sub-set of the set of non-cursor controlling event output signals which is required by the particular GUI-component. The event engine delivers non-cursor controlling event output signals to the at least one GUI-component in accordance with each respective control signal request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Christoffer Björklund, Henrik Eskilsson, Magnus Jacobson, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9996159
    Abstract: A computer apparatus is associated with a graphical display presenting at least one GUI-component adapted to be manipulated based on user-generated commands. An event engine is adapted to receive an eye-tracking data signal that describes a user's point of regard on the display. Based on the signal, the event engine produces a set of non-cursor controlling event output signals, which influence the at least one GUI-component. Each non-cursor controlling event output signal describes a particular aspect of the user's ocular activity in respect of the display. Initially, the event engine receives a control signal request from each of the at least one GUI-component. The control signal request defines a sub-set of the set of non-cursor controlling event output signals which is required by the particular GUI-component. The event engine delivers non-cursor controlling event output signals to the at least one GUI-component in accordance with each respective control signal request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Christoffer Björklund, Henrik Eskilsson, Magnus Jacobson, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9961208
    Abstract: The present document relates to methods and systems for setting up and managing two-dimensional or three-dimensional scenes for audio conferences. A conference controller (111, 175) configured to place a plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173) associated with a plurality of conference participants within a 2D or 3D conference scene to be rendered to a listener (211) is described. The conference controller (111, 175) is configured to set up a X-point conference scene with X different spatial talker locations (212) within the conference scene; assign the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173) to respective ones of the talker locations (212); determine a degree of activity of the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173); determine a dominant one of the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173); and emphasize the dominant upstream audio signal (123, 173).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Boustead, Gary Spittle
  • Patent number: 9952672
    Abstract: A computer apparatus is associated with a graphical display presenting at least one GUI-component adapted to be manipulated based on user-generated commands. An event engine is adapted to receive an eye-tracking data signal that describes a user's point of regard on the display. Based on the signal, the event engine produces a set of non-cursor controlling event output signals, which influence the at least one GUI-component. Each non-cursor controlling event output signal describes a particular aspect of the user's ocular activity in respect of the display. Initially, the event engine receives a control signal request from each of the at least one GUI-component. The control signal request defines a sub-set of the set of non-cursor controlling event output signals which is required by the particular GUI-component. The event engine delivers non-cursor controlling event output signals to the at least one GUI-component in accordance with each respective control signal request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Christoffer Björklund, Henrik Eskilsson, Magnus Jacobson, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9952659
    Abstract: A product guidance system is described herein that provides consistent methods and processes to aggregate product guidance from different online (and potentially local) sources, to ensure that the guidance aggregation is done with proper quality criteria (e.g., content/author reputation), to define how guidance is aggregated and presented appropriately for the context (e.g., a novice user may see different UI experience and different content than an advanced user), and to specify how the guidance is delivered within the product surface itself. The system defines a consistent information asset type meta-model, applies a semantic approach and algorithms to aggregate guidance content from varying sources and deliver through consistent interfaces, and provides an asset and user interface composition model to present the retrieved information following flexible categorization and navigation schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joshy Joseph, Jason Hogg
  • Patent number: 9933925
    Abstract: An electronic layout manager system for displaying a plurality of visual elements in different sections of a screen of an electronic device or of a screen image projected by an electronic device, said sections being in the form of assembled square or rectangular tiles of various sizes that in combination fill a square or rectangular screen surface area, the system comprising a layout manager program module configured to define the size and position of each of the tiles as a function of constraints stored in a memory of the system or calculated by an algorithm of the program module, the program module configured to recursively subdivide said screen surface area by horizontal and vertical partitions (H, V) to create a binary space partitioning (BSP) layout containing horizontal and vertical partitions representable by a logical binary tree where each node of the tree represents a partition and each leaf of the tree represents a tile, whereby each addition of a tile comprises either adding a vertical partition (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTHINK SA
    Inventor: Patrick Hertzog
  • Patent number: 9927952
    Abstract: A ribbon for accessing an application user interface may be provided. The ribbon may be displayed on a computer in association with the application user interface. The ribbon may include a horizontal scrolling gallery. The horizontal scrolling gallery may display a subset of available options which may be utilized to perform one or more actions with respect to content displayed in the application user interface. An input may be received by the computer to navigate through the available options in the horizontal scrolling gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Theresa A. Estrada, Matthew D. Wood, Robin W. Troy, Marian Kimberley S. Chua
  • Patent number: 9910931
    Abstract: The present application describes a method for improving user experience with filtering information. A free text entry is received on a user interface of a computer. A navigation key entry is also received on the user interface. Next, it is determined whether the free text entry fulfills criteria for a field input. Further, information is filtered based upon the fulfilled field criteria and the received navigation key entry. The application also is directed to a system for improving user experience on an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Zendesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurio Leon Guerrero, Steven Kai-Mai Yan, Amir Hadjihabib, Kurt Ruppel
  • Patent number: 9910572
    Abstract: A method of graphically duplicating graphic objects through the steps of a computer: receiving a selection of at least two objects and a direction of duplication along an axis. A zero axis point, a farthest axis point for the objects based on the direction of duplication, and a proximal object is determined. A proximal offset point equivalent to a farthest point on the proximal object from the zero axis point is set. A distal object is determined from the objects based on the direction of duplication along the axis, with a starting point of the distal object being designated as a distal offset point. An offset distance equal to a distance between the distal offset point and the proximal offset point is determined. The selection of the objects is duplicated and placed immediately after the farthest axis point plus the offset distance from the farthest axis point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor J. Anderson, Thomas S. Brugler, Richard Chen, Randall A. Craig, Kristin S. Moore
  • Patent number: 9898173
    Abstract: Traversal of selections within a productivity application is described. When a user indicates a traversal signal, an ordered list of user selections is searched for a next selection entry in the ordered list. Object information from the next selection entry is obtained, wherein the object information describes a position and content of an object in a user interface of the productivity application. Using this object information, a current selection in the user interface is changed to the object corresponding to the next selection entry without changing the order of the list. Any action other than simple traversal taken by the user on an object will change the content and order of the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Anant Gilra, Eugene L. Jude
  • Patent number: 9891800
    Abstract: A method for providing a notification mechanism may include causing provision of a notification bar at an edge of a touch screen display in response to an occurrence of an event where the notification bar provides information indicative of the event, enabling, responsive to user input, extension of the notification bar away from the edge of the touch screen display to display one or more levels of other notification classes in addition to the information indicative of the event, causing presentation of the notification bar to remain in an extended position away from the edge of the touch screen display so as to display one or more levels of notification classes upon cessation of the user input and causing, responsive to exposure of each level that has a subsequent level thereafter, an indication of existence of the subsequent level. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Antonio Pedro Rezendes, Guilherme Schneider