Patents Examined by Ting Lee
  • Patent number: 7992096
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for graphically managing and manipulating calendar data in a database, in a weekly view and in a monthly view. In either mode, a highlighted element is selected thereby causing a preview window to pop-up to display appointment details. The preview window and the image of the week or the month are displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark Davis
  • Patent number: 7930642
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating user interaction with physical documents. A system may include a physical document interface configured to receive a physical document having a surface including document data items, such that at least a portion of the surface of the physical document is visible to a user. The system further includes a device including a computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions executable by the device to implement an application, which may be executable to display a user interface including application data items, each of which may be selectable via the user interface. In response to the selection of a given application data item via the user interface, the device is configured to cause the physical document interface to visibly indicate a location on the surface of the physical document, where the location includes a document data item corresponding to the application data item selected via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Gerde, Jeffrey M. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7900153
    Abstract: Supply chain visualization and management are achieved using supply entity icons and inventory parameters overlaid on a zoomable map image. A user zooms in and zooms out to display multiple geographical areas and variably receives greater or less detail regarding supply parameters. A user may initiate a transfer of products between supply entities by manipulating icons on an output device to result in the generation and sending of business documents to relevant entities. A hypothetical mode allows a user to estimate the effects of potential product transfers on entities within the supply chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sterling Commerce, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh K. Damodaran, Todd L. Margo
  • Patent number: 7793230
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates conveying enhanced query results. An interface component can receive a query corresponding to data. A visual component can employ a search result based at least in part upon the query, wherein the search result includes a graphic identifying a location of at least one term of the query within the queried data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Burns, Harry Kaplanian, Zoltan C. Szilagyi, Philip Ti-Fei Su
  • Patent number: 7788600
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in connection with a multifunction device is set forth. In one example, the multifunction device includes navigation and media functionality. The exemplary graphical user interface comprises a navigation interface, a media interface, and a source menu display. The source menu screen includes at least a first button actuatable by the user to invoke display of a screen corresponding to a previously stored navigation interface state, and at least a second button actuatable by the user to invoke display of a screen corresponding to a previously stored media interface state. There is at least one source button disposed for actuation on a plurality of screens of the navigation interface and a plurality of screens of the media interface to invoke display of the source menu to the user. Actuation of the at least one source button results in storage of a currently active interface state. In one example, one or more of the buttons of the interface are virtual buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Darren Kelly O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7788604
    Abstract: A three state icon for a computer is disclosed. The icon prevents inadvertent starting of an operation on a computer. The icon has a first state which conceals a second state. Upon selection of the first state with a computer pointing device (i.e., mouse), the icon will change to the second state. Upon selecting the icon in the second state, the operation on the computer will start. Accordingly, only upon selecting the icon in the first state and then the second state, the operation will commence on the computer thereby preventing accidental startup of the operation. Once the second state has been selected, the icon will change to a third state which indicates that the operation is proceeding on the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wasko, Steven P. Jobs
  • Patent number: 7788591
    Abstract: A configurator using structure and rules to provide a user interface. According to one embodiment of the invention, a customizable product class is created. The customizable product class includes a set of one or more attributes to define the customizable product class. A component product class is added to the customizable product class, where the component product class is a subclass of the customizable product. A customizable class rule is associated to the customizable product class, the customizable class rule including expressions which provide conditions on component products added to the customizable product. A customizable UI is mapped to the customizable product class, where the customizable UI provides access structure to the configurator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Siebel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Brunner, George Kibilov, Elie Rassi, Eugene Tchikowani, Xiangyang Yao, Peter Lim
  • Patent number: 7779357
    Abstract: An audio user interface that generates audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of a computing device is disclosed. The audio prompts can provide audio indicators that allow a user to focus his or her visual attention upon other tasks such as driving an automobile, exercising, or crossing a street, yet still enable the user to interact with the user interface. As examples, the audio prompts provided can audiblize the spoken version of a user interface selection, such as a selected function or a selected (e.g., highlighted) menu item of a display menu. The computing device can be, for example, a media player such as an MP3 player, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Devang K. Naik
  • Patent number: 7779359
    Abstract: A method that includes but is not limited to accepting user input specifying a geometrical arrangement of two or more buttons on one or more displayed pages; accepting user input labeling at least two of the two or more buttons on the one or more displayed pages; accepting user input defining at least one interaction between the labeled at least two buttons; accepting user input specifying at least one constraint cost for the defined at least one interaction; and assigning the labels of the at least two buttons among the two or more buttons on one or more displayed pages such that the at least one constraint cost is substantially optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Gregory S. Francis, Clarence E. Rash, Matthew J. Reardon
  • Patent number: 7779361
    Abstract: An integrated console provides multiple users an ability to bring in signals from a plurality of disparate hardware subsystems the monitoring and control signals, all to be controlled from a virtual console on a single computer screen. Multiple users may arrange subwindows for any or all controlled hardware and arrange those subwindows on a computer screen, in accordance with each user's preference. The system may store personalized display layouts, receiving commands from multiple workstations, and routing the commands received to the appropriate subsystems. Meanwhile, the system provides apparatus and methods to automatically detect changes on the subwindows and notify a user thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: R. Dean Malmstrom
  • Patent number: 7774718
    Abstract: A media management application implemented in a digital device that incorporates a media handle. The media handle is moveable within a display to provide the user of the application with viewable access to media file representations or calendar events. The media handle may be displayed in conjunction with a media view, a calendar view and/or a time bar, such that the media handle provides access to desired portions of the media view, the calendar view or the time bar. The media handle of the present invention provides the device user with a highly efficient means of locating time periods and the media files associated with the time periods. In addition, the media handle provides ergonomic benefit to the user, in that, user inputs to the device are limited and the user inputs that are required are user-friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Andrea Finke-Anlauff, Laura Huhtela-Bremer, Vesa Metsätähti, Tomi Hakari, Tommi Bäckgren, Olof Schybergson
  • Patent number: 7770131
    Abstract: A method for integrating and sharing the monitoring and control of multiple subsystems. The method may include identifying an integration system comprising a first display processor and a first command processor. The first display processor may receive a display signal from each subsystem of the subsystems being monitored and controlled. The method may also include storing personalized display layouts, receiving commands from multiple workstations, and routing the commands received to the appropriate subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: R. Dean Malmstrom
  • Patent number: 7765480
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reference image extracting section for extracting a reference image as an object for display; a parameter managing section for managing a plurality of parameters and their values for the extracted reference image; a parameter setting section for selecting any two arbitrary parameters and setting the selected parameters as scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axis; a peripheral image preparing section for preparing peripheral images each obtained by changing the values of the two parameters selected for the reference image by a specified amount; and an image display controller for providing display controls by correlating parameter values of peripheral images to those for the vertical axis and horizontal axis of the reference image so that the reference image is displayed at a specified position of a screen and also peripheral images thereof are displayed surrounding the reference image in n layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Hasegawa, Toshinori Takaki, Norihiko Sakata
  • Patent number: 7761808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing specialized primary and secondary menus for different applications included in a mobile terminal. The invention also relates to a menu display controller and mobile terminal using the method. In the method a cursor movement between items of the primary menu causes a new secondary menu to appear on the display. The user can also move inside the secondary menu and execute directly from the secondary menu a function included in the secondary menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Päivi Heino, Kim Eklund
  • Patent number: 7752552
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a way of embedding a display of activities relevant to a social network in a third party website. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide for an embedded aggregated event stream. In particular, a display is provided to a user that indicates various events in a “stacked” format. Each block of the stacked format represents one or more events originating from the user's own activities or activities of the user's contacts in their social network. Activities may originate from accounts on other online services that the user linked to their account or profile. The stacked format is updated in substantially real time to provide the user a sense of the activities of their social network around them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: Havoc Pennington, Donald Fischer, Bryan Clark, Colin Walters, Marina Zhurakhinskaya, Mike Langlie
  • Patent number: 7752565
    Abstract: First user-generated input is received that selects a first element in a graphical user interface identifying a work area. In response, a plurality of second elements characterizing categories of objects associated with the work area are displayed in the graphical user interface. Thereafter, second user-generated input is received that selects a second element in the graphical user interface element. Once the second element is selected, a visual representation of a plurality of primary objects associated with the category corresponding to the second element is displayed. The plurality of displayed primary objects are displayed in a first person perspective projection format with the objects being displayed in order at depths in the first person perspective projection according to values of an attribute associated with the second element. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Jens Bombolowsky, Sabine Finke
  • Patent number: 7752553
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an aggregated event stream that indicates activities to a user across a range of online services. Embodiments may include a web site, a client application, or mobile device. In particular, a display is provided to a user that indicates various events in a “stacked” format. Each block of the stacked format represents one or more events originating from the user's own activities or activities of the user's contacts in their social network. Activities may originate from accounts on other online services that the user linked to their account or profile. The stacked format is updated in substantially real time to provide the user a sense of the activities of their social network around them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: Havoc Pennington, Donald Fischer, Bryan Clark, Colin Walters, Marina Zhurakhinskaya, Mike Langlie
  • Patent number: 7743340
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method to facilitate providing computer users with efficient access to electronic notifications while minimizing disruption in the context of ongoing tasks. A notification system provides visual information heralds that provide summarizations of notifications to users. An information controller considers the importance or urgency of content and a user's current and/or recent activities in decisions about the rendering and positioning of the information herald on a display screen or screens in order to facilitate user processing of the summarized notifications with minimal disruption to ongoing tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Horvitz, Johnson T. Apacible, Chaitanya D. Sareen
  • Patent number: 7739591
    Abstract: Structuring graphics with placeholders may be provided. A first diagram may be displayed configured to display data associated with a data model. The first diagram may have a first diagram type. Next, a request may be received to display the data model in a second diagram configured to display the data associated with the data model. The second diagram may have a second diagram type. Then, the second diagram may be displayed configured to show the data associated with the data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Janet L. Schorr, Crystal L. Hoyer, Ilan Berker, Shain Heuer, Thomas C. Underhill
  • Patent number: 7735012
    Abstract: An audio user interface that generates audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of a device is disclosed. One aspect of the present invention pertains to techniques for providing the audio user interface by efficiently leveraging the computing resources of a host computer system. The relatively powerful computing resources of the host computer can convert text strings into audio files that are then transferred to the computing device. The host system performs the process intensive text-to-speech conversion so that a computing device, such as a hand-held device, only needs to perform the less intensive task of playing the audio file. The computing device can be, for example, a media player such as an MP3 player, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Devang K. Naik