Patents Examined by Raymond J. Bayerl
  • Patent number: 7187394
    Abstract: A selection apparatus providing user friendly interface for visually impaired people. The selection apparatus may contain a touch screen and a guide structure. The guide structure is disposed along the touch buttons in the touch screen, and contains touch points corresponding to the touch buttons. The touch points are designed such that a different sensation is felt when a user slides an object (e.g., finger) along the selection structure. An exit may be designed to help lead the object from each touch point to corresponding touch button. Thus, a visually impaired person may slide a finger along the guide structure, feel a touch points and use the associated exit to locate a corresponding touch button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sanjiv Mahadeo Chandane
  • Patent number: 7188319
    Abstract: A new way of providing pertinent information about an item (e.g., a text file, a picture file, a music file, video file, or any other similar file) is provided. The invention provides graphical information about the item along with user-selectable properties that are specific to that item. The invention further provides a way of sorting the items by the user-selectable properties and communicating the sort order to the user. The invention thereby provides the user with a way of quickly finding pertinent information about the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Amadio, Chris J. Guzak, Todd L. Ouzts, Philip P. Fortier, Suzan M. Andrew
  • Patent number: 7188314
    Abstract: A graphical user interface supports an interactive client-server authentication based on Random Partial Pattern Recognition algorithm (RPPR). In RPPR, an ordered set of data fields is stored for a client to be authenticated in secure memory on the server side. A graphical user interface presents a clue generated at the server to the client, such positions in the ordered set of a random subset of data fields from the ordered set. The client enters input data in multiple fields of the interface according to the clue, and the server accepts the input data from the client. The input data includes storage units representing alpha-numeric characters, images and colors corresponding to the field contents for the data fields. The interface includes indicators for elapsed time and status of the authentication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Authernative, Inc.
    Inventor: Len L. Mizrah
  • Patent number: 7178108
    Abstract: A method and a system in a computing environment are provided for the development and maintenance of a web site. The method includes allowing multiple users from multiple locations to make modifications to at least one web site. The method further includes providing menus, pick lists, text entry fields or combinations thereof where a user makes selections or enter text. The method also includes utilizing user selections, user text entries or combinations thereof to make modifications to at least one web site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Adam C. Workman, Patrick Wilson
  • Patent number: 7178109
    Abstract: A user interface for viewing reference data associated with a conceptual entity and for execution of one or more complex processes for manipulating the data includes a process panel having one or more on-screen objects for the execution of the complex processes and a process work area for displaying a state of selected complex processes. A data viewer includes a content pane for the display of the reference data and one or more on-screen objects for selectively displaying at least a portion of the reference data and the process panel and data viewer are framed within a common window. The process panel and data viewer are selectably viewable and occupy overlapping positions within the common window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Chordiant Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren M. Hewson, James D. St. Jean, J. Michael Myles, Michael J. Ruggieri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7178106
    Abstract: A media services interface for use in a readable medium playback device enables synchronization of disparate media playback, network directed playback of media, media playback control via displayed html/javascript file, logging of consumer identifier, media identifier, and playback device identifier in a cookie or log file. The media services comprises a command handler, a properties handler, an event generator, a cookie manager, a navigator state module, an identifier engine, an initialization module, and a bookmark manager. The command handler executes commands received from a connected network, a displayed html/javascript file, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sonic Solutions, a California corporation
    Inventors: Allan B. Lamkin, Todd R. Collart, Greg Gewickey
  • Patent number: 7174516
    Abstract: A user's communication log for an electronic device, comprising: a first visual reference marker representing the current time; a second visual reference marker representing a past communication between the user and a third party; wherein the distance between the first and second visual reference markers increases as time goes by. The first visual reference marker is the origin of the circle about which the second visual reference marker is positioned at different angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Jan Chipchase
  • Patent number: 7168046
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a suitable soft keyboard for end users to conveniently enter data to a portable information terminal that can not provide concurrently multiple character set keyboards, such as Korean, English, and Numeric keyboards. A data input assisting method displays an input window including a plurality of input fields when data input is requested. The input window identifies an input data set among English, Numeric, and non-English character sets suitable to an input field, which is selected for information input on the displayed input window, and provides a soft keyboard of touch screen or the like including the identified character set. Therefore, data input is ensured when a user must select and enter non-English (e.g., Korean), English, or Numeric data to match information type of each data field to be stored in a portable information terminal, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Gyu Kang, Byung Hak Jung, Yong Soo Shin, Su Young Pan, Sang Bum Kim, Seung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7168045
    Abstract: Systems and techniques to model business objects as graphic objects using multiple graphic object features to represent different aspects of the business objects. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving information describing a plurality of business objects, and modeling the business objects as graphic objects. The graphic objects can include an object size representing a first aspect of a corresponding business object, an object interior representing a second aspect of a corresponding business object, and an object boundary representing a third aspect of a corresponding business object. The graphic objects can be positioned and displayed in a two-dimensional chart using two-dimensional coordinates determined based at least in part on one or more additional aspect of the corresponding business objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: SAP Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kevin V. Fliess, Goetz M. Weber, Dennis B. Moore, Irene Ivashenko
  • Patent number: 7165227
    Abstract: A method for accessing a data field having fine resolution is disclosed. The method includes providing a scalable scroll controller with a scale controller to modify a scale for controlling a magnification for accessing data within the data field. The method also includes receiving a first user event to select the scale controller and receiving a second user event to modify a position of the scale controller. The scale is adjusted based on the position of the scale controller. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Hayes Ubillos
  • Patent number: 7165224
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for browsing miniaturized versions of images stored locally on a mobile device while allowing the associated full-sized image to be transferred to the mobile device as needed. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of viewing an image on the mobile device includes the steps of storing in the mobile device a miniaturized version of an image stored in the mobile device, transferring the image to an external storage device, and deleting the image from the mobile device. In response to the user of the mobile device selecting the miniaturized version of the image, the mobile device sends a wireless message to the external storage device requesting transfer of the full-sized image. The external storage device transfers the full-sized image to the mobile device in a second message and the mobile device is able to display the full-sized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Seppo Pyhälammi
  • Patent number: 7162701
    Abstract: Methods are provided for navigation user interface mechanisms. In one embodiment, a directed summary of (i) what caused the value of a selected cell within a tabular view of data; or (ii) context into which the value of the selected cell fits as part of a larger overall picture is provided by displaying at least a partial hierarchy of child/parent views relating to the value of the selected cell, then the end user may navigate to a particular level of detail within the hierarchy of preaggregated data that is desired by selecting an appropriate child/parent view. In another embodiment, period queries are specified with reference to a dialog displaying a calendar view from which date groups to be compared may be selected. The dialog receives information identifying a period associated with each date group to be compared. The periods can be either asymmetrical or symmetrical with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Veripoint, LLC
    Inventor: Fred Seyffert
  • Patent number: 7162697
    Abstract: A text based script file describing enhancements is parsed to produce platform dependent enhancement files that may be employed to produce enhancements on a set top box, enhanced television, or computer display. A script file may be of XML format and a parser may be an XSL translator. A parser may import HTML and Javascript from other applications. A parser may support a media player for emulation to view video and enhancements. Trigger data for rendering enhancements may be formatted into a javascript array. Trigger events may be employed to replace graphic pointers or text values. Multiple parsers, each supporting a specific platform, allow a single script file to be employed across multiple platforms. New platforms or versions of platforms are supported through new or updated parsers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Intellocity USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven O. Markel
  • Patent number: 7159176
    Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Digeo, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Billmaier, John M. Kellum, Dewey M. Reid, Philip A. Rogan
  • Patent number: 7159174
    Abstract: A system is described which includes a content retriever to retrieve and format data and a media file playlist generated by the content retriever from the data. The media file playlist includes a playlist entry title identifying a title for a media file, a filename identifying the media file, and a metadata tag containing data for performing an action associated with the media file. The system also includes a text file playlist generated by the content retriever from the text data, formatted in XML (extensible markup language).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Johnson, W. Michael Anderson, William David Sproule
  • Patent number: 7159177
    Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Digeo, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Billmaier, John M. Kellum, Anthony F. Istvan, Dewey M. Reid, Philip A. Rogan
  • Patent number: 7159179
    Abstract: The invention provides a service providing system in which it is determined whether users have use authority to utilize a service providing apparatus, such as a projector, so that only users having the use authority can utilize the service providing apparatus. The invention also provides a service providing system and a service providing apparatus. In accordance with the invention, users are allowed to have use authority to utilize the service providing apparatus through entrance into an arbitrary place, or the like so that the service providing apparatus can be conveniently utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Taniguchi, Yoshiki Fukui, Naruhide Kitada
  • Patent number: 7159184
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a configuration file for use with a resource allocator that allocates computer system resources, such as CPU resources, among workloads operating on the system. A software application referred to as a “wizard” generates a graphical user interface (GUI) having multiple linked input screens to prompt a user step-by-step to enter specifications for the workloads. The GUI displays a prompt for a user to define a workload and to configure a resource allocation policy for the defined workload. The CPU resource allocation policy specifies how resources are allocated to the defined workload. The wizard receives the requested specifications from a user input device. Based on the received specifications, a configuration file is created and may be used by a resource allocator to allocate resources among workloads according to the specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Syed S. Ullah, Michael D. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7149974
    Abstract: A system that represents a video sequence comprising plurality of video clips as a number of images. The plurality of video clips is represented as a reduced representation of video images. A video clip is represented as a keyframe, wherein multiple keyframes may then be arranged according to chronological order. All or only a representative portion of the video clips can be represented as keyframes. The size of the keyframe may be configured to represent the length or importance of the video clip. The keyframe may depict an entire frame of a video clip, or a region of meaningful information within a frame of a video clip. Multiple keyframes may be arranged in a two dimensional array, in an S-shaped curve, or some other pattern. The keyframes may depict motion of an object occurring over time in the video clip by configuring groups of pixels in the key frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Girgensohn, Frank M. Shipman, III, Lynn D. Wilcox, Patrick Chiu
  • Patent number: 7149972
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multimedia device, which detects at least one information item in an audio and/or video data stream processed by the multimedia device, saves the detected information items as a function of a weighting consisting of the time of occurrence of an information item and at least one selection criterion and displays follow-up information relating to the information item selected by a user on an output unit of the multimedia device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Markus Baumeister, Heribert Baldus, Andras Montvay