Patents by Inventor Allen Herring

Allen Herring has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11895214
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for user interaction and task completion using multiple devices. A set of devices may be used to perform a task, such that different devices may perform different steps of the task. A device management service may update state information at each device of the set, thereby enabling a user to interact with any of the computing devices to perform the task. A device management service may also automatically determine which device should be used by the user, based on task or step requirements, device characteristics, and device capabilities, among other examples. Thus, rather than being required to continue a task on the same device (even when the device is not well-suited for the current step or task), the user is provided with the option to use and, in some instances, is automatically transitioned to use, different devices within the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Sim, Adam Fourney, Russell Allen Herring, Jr., Ryen William White, Elnaz Nouri
  • Patent number: 11741406
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be implemented to provide suggestions to a user device to execute user tasks in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, a set of tasks of a user from a number of task sources are identified for possible consolidation. The tasks in the set can be analyzed to identify a location to accomplish the tasks, estimate times to complete the tasks at the identified locations, and compute routes to the locations from a starting location or compute routes with respect to a route to another location of another task of the set of tasks. The identified locations, the estimated times, and the computed routes can be used to determine which tasks of the set of tasks are available for consolidation. One or more suggestions of task consolidations can be generated to or within the user device. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Vanessa Murdock, Russell Allen Herring, Jr., Nirupama Chandrasekaran, Robert A Sim, Ryen W. White
  • Publication number: 20220377156
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for user interaction and task completion using multiple devices. A set of devices may be used to perform a task, such that different devices may perform different steps of the task. A device management service may update state information at each device of the set, thereby enabling a user to interact with any of the computing devices to perform the task. A device management service may also automatically determine which device should be used by the user, based on task or step requirements, device characteristics, and device capabilities, among other examples. Thus, rather than being required to continue a task on the same device (even when the device is not well-suited for the current step or task), the user is provided with the option to use and, in some instances, is automatically transitioned to use, different devices within the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. SIM, Adam FOURNEY, Russell Allen HERRING, JR., Ryen William WHITE, Elnaz NOURI
  • Patent number: 11438435
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for user interaction and task completion using multiple devices. A set of devices may be used to perform a task, such that different devices may perform different steps of the task. A device management service may update state information at each device of the set, thereby enabling a user to interact with any of the computing devices to perform the task. A device management service may also automatically determine which device should be used by the user, based on task or step requirements, device characteristics, and device capabilities, among other examples. Thus, rather than being required to continue a task on the same device (even when the device is not well-suited for the current step or task), the user is provided with the option to use and, in some instances, is automatically transitioned to use, different devices within the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Sim, Adam Fourney, Russell Allen Herring, Jr., Ryen William White, Elnaz Nouri
  • Patent number: 11080073
    Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Russell Allen Herring, Jr., Adam Fourney, Ryen William White, Paul Nathan Bennett
  • Publication number: 20210064398
    Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Russell Allen HERRING, JR., Adam FOURNEY, Ryen William WHITE, Paul Nathan BENNETT
  • Publication number: 20200280616
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for user interaction and task completion using multiple devices. A set of devices may be used to perform a task, such that different devices may perform different steps of the task. A device management service may update state information at each device of the set, thereby enabling a user to interact with any of the computing devices to perform the task. A device management service may also automatically determine which device should be used by the user, based on task or step requirements, device characteristics, and device capabilities, among other examples. Thus, rather than being required to continue a task on the same device (even when the device is not well-suited for the current step or task), the user is provided with the option to use and, in some instances, is automatically transitioned to use, different devices within the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. SIM, Adam FOURNEY, Russell Allen HERRING, JR., Ryen William WHITE, Elnaz NOURI
  • Patent number: 10747560
    Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Allen Herring, Jr., Adam Fourney, Ryen William White, Paul Nathan Bennett
  • Patent number: 10540977
    Abstract: A proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device can be detected. In response to the detecting of the proximity, it can be determined that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and possibly a non-proximity state of the first device. The type of proactive engagement can be matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant. In response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, the technique can include performing a user engagement action via the second device. The user engagement action can be of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement. The user engagement action can facilitate a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ryen William White, Russell Allen Herring, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190295551
    Abstract: A proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device can be detected. In response to the detecting of the proximity, it can be determined that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and possibly a non-proximity state of the first device. The type of proactive engagement can be matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant. In response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, the technique can include performing a user engagement action via the second device. The user engagement action can be of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement. The user engagement action can facilitate a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ryen William White, Russell Allen Herring, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190294452
    Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Allen Herring, JR., Adam Fourney, Ryen William White, Paul Nathan Bennett
  • Publication number: 20190236515
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be implemented to provide suggestions to a user device to execute user tasks in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, a set of tasks of a user from a number of task sources are identified for possible consolidation. The tasks in the set can be analyzed to identify a location to accomplish the tasks, estimate times to complete the tasks at the identified locations, and compute routes to the locations from a starting location or compute routes with respect to a route to another location of another task of the set of tasks. The identified locations, the estimated times, and the computed routes can be used to determine which tasks of the set of tasks are available for consolidation. One or more suggestions of task consolidations can be generated to or within the user device. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Vanessa Murdock, Russell Allen Herring, JR., Nirupama Chandrasekaran, Robert A. Sim, Ryen W. White
  • Publication number: 20170364834
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a real-time or near real-time sentiment monitoring service. A set of rules such as keywords and data sources to crawl is provided to the monitoring service, which crawls the sources to obtain sentiment-related data for an entity, such as a corporation or product. Content items may be selected from the crawled data, and/or the data may be analyzed to provide results. The results may be displayed, such as on a content page, to quickly view the public's sentiment regarding the entity. The rules may be dynamically modified by a user or collaborating users to tune monitoring of the entity as desired, e.g., to obtain more relevant results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Russell Allen HERRING, James H. LEWALLEN, Todd D. NEWMAN, David S. TANIGUCHI, Lili CHENG
  • Publication number: 20140181741
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a method for receiving and displaying contextually relevant information to a user. The method includes receiving automatically-updated contextually relevant information at a display device. The contextually relevant information includes information that is at least in part associated with the user. The display device then displays the contextually relevant information discreetly to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Johnson Apacible, Tim Paek, Allen Herring, Mark J. EncarnaciĆ³n, Woon Kiat Wong
  • Patent number: 8566780
    Abstract: Object model based mapping may be provided. First, backend data may be received defining data constructs in a backend system. Then entity data may be received defining data constructs in an entity model. User selectable elements may then be received defining a process associating the backend data with the entity data. Next, code may be produced, based on the received user selectable elements, configured to implement the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Tolskyakov, Mohammed Fadel Shatnawi, Russell Allen Herring, Jr., Justin Jiajun Hua
  • Publication number: 20120323627
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a real-time or near real-time sentiment monitoring service. A set of rules such as keywords and data sources to crawl is provided to the monitoring service, which crawls the sources to obtain sentiment-related data for an entity, such as a corporation or product. Content items may be selected from the crawled data, and/or the data may be analyzed to provide results. The results may be displayed, such as on a content page, to quickly view the public's sentiment regarding the entity. The rules may be dynamically modified by a user or collaborating users to tune monitoring of the entity as desired, e.g., to obtain more relevant results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell Allen Herring, JR., James H. Lewallen, Todd D. Newman, David S. Taniguchi, Lili Cheng
  • Publication number: 20090006440
    Abstract: Object model based mapping may be provided. First, backend data may be received defining data constructs in a backend system. Then entity data may be received defining data constructs in an entity model. User selectable elements may then be received defining a process associating the backend data with the entity data. Next, code may be produced, based on the received user selectable elements, configured to implement the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Tolskyakov, Mohammed Fadel Shatnawi, Russell Allen Herring, JR., Justin Jiajun Hua
  • Patent number: 6761991
    Abstract: This is an improvement in a fuel cell stack assembly having a plurality of plates with grooves for accommodating gaskets to provide seals between individual fuel cell plates in the fuel cell stack assembly in order to prevent leakage of gases and liquids required for operation of the fuel cell stack assembly. The improvement comprising grooves in each fuel cell plate in the fuel cell stack assembly with a circular or an elliptical profile, and a unitary seal formed of a sealing material between each fuel cell plate in the fuel cell stack assembly having a profile corresponding to the profile of the grooves in each fuel cell plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Eugene Frisch, Randall Allen Herring, Myron Timothy Maxson
  • Publication number: 20030072988
    Abstract: This is an improvement in a fuel cell stack assembly having a plurality of plates with grooves for accommodating gaskets to provide seals between individual fuel cell plates in the fuel cell stack assembly in order to prevent leakage of gases and liquids required for operation of the fuel cell stack assembly. The improvement comprising grooves in each fuel cell plate in the fuel cell stack assembly with a circular or an elliptical profile, and a unitary seal formed of a sealing material between each fuel cell plate in the fuel cell stack assembly having a profile corresponding to the profile of the grooves in each fuel cell plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence Eugene Frisch, Randall Allen Herring, Myron Timothy Maxson
  • Patent number: D418474
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Cooper Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Patrick Witek, Richard Allen Herring, Alan Jeffrey Stahlhut, William Arthur Powell