Patents by Inventor Brenda K. Laurel

Brenda K. Laurel 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).

  • Method and apparatus for browsing media content based on user affinity
    Patent number: 7707137
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for browsing a collection of metadata to locate media content associated with an item of metadata. The system operates by receiving a selection of an affinity from a user, wherein the affinity specifies a baseline preference of the user. Next, the system determines a value for each item of metadata in the collection of metadata that specifies how well each item of metadata fits the affinity. Finally, the system arranges the collection of metadata in a view, so that items of metadata with similar values are arranged in close proximity within the view, and so that items of metadata with dissimilar values are not arranged in close proximity within the view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Nazarian, Brenda K. Laurel, Kimberly A. Perzel