Patents by Inventor Brian R. Meyers

Brian R. Meyers 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: 9176485
    Abstract: Methods and systems for occupancy prediction using historical occupancy patterns are described. In an embodiment, an occupancy probability is computed by comparing a recent occupancy pattern to historic occupancy patterns. Sensor data for a room, or other space, is used to generate a table of past occupancy which comprises these historic occupancy patterns. The comparison which is performed identifies a number of similar historic occupancy patterns and data from these similar historic occupancy patterns is combined to generate an occupancy probability for a time in the future. In an example, time may be divided into discrete slots and binary values may be used to indicate occupancy or non-occupancy in each slot. An occupancy probability for a defined future time slot then comprises a combination of the binary values for corresponding time slots from each of the identified similar occupancy patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Charles Krumm, James W. Scott, Alice Jane Bernheim Brush, Brian R. Meyers, Stephen Edward Hodges
  • Publication number: 20140297814
    Abstract: A collaborative phone-based file exchange technique that wirelessly synchronizes a user's work context with his or her mobile phone and makes this context readily available and sharable in collaborative situations. When the user is away from their desk, collaboration with others is possible by sharing/downloading between the mobile phone and a paired PC, which may be a colleague's computer or a meeting room workstation/computer. When the user returns to their office, any recently downloaded files are automatically synchronized back to their office PC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amy Kathleen Karlson, George G. Robertson, Brian R. Meyers, Gregory Smith, Mary Czerwinski
  • Patent number: 8819009
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating the collection of activity data, organizational hierarchy data and distribution list data within a private computer network (especially an intranet) while complying with applicable privacy laws and regulations, as well as individual organizations' business rules addressing intranet users' privacy to display a social graph of organization members related to a requesting organization member. Such systems, methods and computer program products allow for the collecting of such data passively without a need for active participation from the requester. A computer-implemented process for displaying a social graph further comprises calculating sub-scores for each of activity data, organizational data and distribution list data and calculating a total score for each related organization member and displaying the social graph comprising those organization members whose score exceeds a predetermined value as related to the requester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Wana, Ilya Tumanov, George Perantatos, Brian R. Meyers
  • Patent number: 8392229
    Abstract: A system that can enable the atomization of application functionality in connection with an activity-centric system is provided. The system can be utilized as a programmatic tool that decomposes an application's constituent functionality into atoms thereafter monitoring and aggregating atoms with respect to a particular activity. In doing so, the functionality of the system can be scaled based upon complexity and needs of the activity. Additionally, the system can be employed to monetize the atoms or activity capabilities based upon respective use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Macbeth, Roland L. Fernandez, Brian R. Meyers, Desney S. Tan, George G. Robertson, Nuria M. Oliver, Oscar E. Murillo, Elin R. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8364514
    Abstract: A unique monitoring system and method is provided that involves monitoring user activity in order to facilitate managing and optimizing the utilization of various system resources. In particular, the system can monitor user activity, detect when users need assistance with their specific activities, and identify at least one other user that can assist them. Assistance can be in the form of answering questions, providing guidance to the user as the user completes the activity, or completing the activity such as in the case of taking on an assigned activity. In addition, the system can aggregate activity data across users and/or devices. As a result, problems with activity templates or activities themselves can be more readily identified, user performance can be readily compared, and users can communicate and exchange information regarding similar activity experiences. Furthermore, synchronicity and time-sensitive scheduling of activities between users can be facilitated and improved overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Macbeth, Roland L. Fernandez, Brian R. Meyers, Desney S. Tan, George G. Robertson, Nuria M. Oliver, Oscar E. Murillo, Mary P. Czerwinski
  • Publication number: 20120310376
    Abstract: Methods and systems for occupancy prediction using historical occupancy patterns are described. In an embodiment, an occupancy probability is computed by comparing a recent occupancy pattern to historic occupancy patterns. Sensor data for a room, or other space, is used to generate a table of past occupancy which comprises these historic occupancy patterns. The comparison which is performed identifies a number of similar historic occupancy patterns and data from these similar historic occupancy patterns is combined to generate an occupancy probability for a time in the future. In an example, time may be divided into discrete slots and binary values may be used to indicate occupancy or non-occupancy in each slot. An occupancy probability for a defined future time slot then comprises a combination of the binary values for corresponding time slots from each of the identified similar occupancy patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Charles Krumm, James W. Scott, Alice Jane Bernheim Brush, Brian R. Meyers, Stephen Edward Hodges
  • Publication number: 20120290565
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating the collection of activity data, organizational hierarchy data and distribution list data within a private computer network (especially an intranet) while complying with applicable privacy laws and regulations, as well as individual organizations' business rules addressing intranet users' privacy to display a social graph of organization members related to a requesting organization member. Such systems, methods and computer program products allow for the collecting of such data passively without a need for active participation from the requester. A computer-implemented process for displaying a social graph further comprises calculating sub-scores for each of activity data, organizational data and distribution list data and calculating a total score for each related organization member and displaying the social graph comprising those organization members whose score exceeds a predetermined value as related to the requester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Wana, Ilya Tumanov, George Perantatos, Brian R. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20120290637
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for providing a customized news feed to an individual computer user within an organization based on the reading activities and preferences of other users in the same organization are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system includes a correlation server configured to collect and correlate the reading activities and preferences of individual computer network users within the organization, a news feed database for storing the collected and correlated data, a proxy server configured to receive and output to the information client a selected portion of the collected and correlated data, and a graphical user interface produced by the proxy server that allows the user to select different views of the collected and correlated data as a personalized news feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: GEORGE PERANTATOS, John Wana, Ilya Tumanov, Brian R. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20120290545
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the collection of data within a computer network (especially an intranet) while complying with applicable privacy laws and regulations, as well as individual organizations' rules addressing intranet users' privacy are disclosed. Such systems, methods and computer program products allow for the collecting of activity information related to computer-based activities performed by users while logged into an organization's intranet. Such activity includes navigating to URLs, opening and editing documents, writing, opening and reading email and instant messages, and the like. The collecting, consolidating, storing and exposing of such activity information—while ensuring privacy requirements—serves as a basis for high-value services (e.g., augmenting documents with extra information, improving search results, automatic news feeds, social networking announcements, etc.) to be offered and provisioned to such users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: ILYA TUMANOV, John Wana, George Perantatos, Brian R. Meyers, Gary Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8225224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to facilitating multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A sealing component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function of their location of the display space. The subject invention provides for interaction technique(s) and other interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface. One aspect defines a central focus area, such that the display objects are displayed and behave as usual. Also included as a periphery outside the focus area where the display objects are reduced in size based on their location, getting smaller as the display objects near an edge of the display surface with many more objects visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, Dugald R. Hutchings, Brian R. Meyers, Gregory R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110270850
    Abstract: A computing system generates resource data that represents a resource. The content of the resource data is dependent on a ranking of resources in a set of resources. The ranking of the resources in the set of resources is dependent on interactions between users in a set of users and the resources in the set of resources. The ranking of the resources in the set of resources also is dependent on a degree to which each user in the set of users is related to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Wana, George Perantatos, Ilya Tumanov, Brian R. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20110264484
    Abstract: A system that can enable the atomization of application functionality in connection with an activity-centric system is provided. The system can be utilized as a programmatic tool that decomposes an application's constituent functionality into atoms thereafter monitoring and aggregating atoms with respect to a particular activity. In doing so, the functionality of the system can be scaled based upon complexity and needs of the activity. Additionally, the system can be employed to monetize the atoms or activity capabilities based upon respective use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven W. Macbeth, Roland L. Fernandez, Brian R. Meyers, Desney S. Tan, George G. Robertson, Nuria M. Oliver, Oscar E. Murillo, Elin R. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 7970637
    Abstract: A system that can enable the atomization of application functionality in connection with an activity-centric system is provided. The system can be utilized as a programmatic tool that decomposes an application's constituent functionality into atoms thereafter monitoring and aggregating atoms with respect to a particular activity. In doing so, the functionality of the system can be scaled based upon complexity and needs of the activity. Additionally, the system can be employed to monetize the atoms or activity capabilities based upon respective use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Macbeth, Roland L. Fernandez, Brian R. Meyers, Desney S. Tan, George G. Robertson, Nuria M. Oliver, Oscar E. Murillo, Elin R. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 7836002
    Abstract: A system that can automatically narrow the search space or recognition scope within an activity-centric environment based upon a current activity or set of activities is provided. In addition, the activity and context data can also be used to rank the results of the recognition or search activity. In accordance with the domain scoping, natural language processing (NLP) as well as other types of conversion and recognition systems can dynamically adjust to the scope of the activity or group of activities thereby increasing the recognition systems accuracy and usefulness. In operation, a user context, activity context, environment context and/or device profile can be employed to effectuate the scoping. As well, the system can combine context with extrinsic data, including but not limited to, calendar, profile, historical activity data, etc. in order to define the parameters for an appropriate scoping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Macbeth, Roland L. Fernandez, Brian R. Meyers, Desney S. Tan, George G. Robertson, Nuria M. Oliver, Oscar E. Murillo
  • Patent number: 7830359
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using a foot-based interface to interact with a computer are described. An application program from a plurality of application programs is executed on an operating system of a personal computer. The application program is configured to receive user input via a foot-based interface. Further, user input is received from the foot-based interface and mapped into a command. Moreover, the command controls an application program function. Also, the command is executed and an output corresponding to the execution of the command is generated. Additionally, the output is displayed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alice Jane B. Brush, Brian R. Meyers, Marc A. Smith, Steven M. Drucker
  • Patent number: 7800598
    Abstract: In a multiple-display configuration comprising multiple display devices, the display device on which a display item, such as a mouse cursor, is located, is indicated without obscuring the view of any information being rendered on any display device. In an exemplary configuration, light emitting devices, such as LEDs for example, are located on the periphery of each display device. To indicate that the display item is located on a specific display device, the LEDs associated with that display device are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Brian R. Meyers
  • Patent number: 7761393
    Abstract: A system that can identify, create, update and/or process a workflow based upon a current, past or future activity is disclosed. A ‘workflow’ can be defined as an activity flow that includes interaction with, or assignment of work to, people, devices, or services by a single individual or a group of individuals. Once a workflow is determined in accordance with the innovation, the system can inform other users or groups that are performing, or intend to perform, a similar or like activity. In establishing the workflow, the innovation can operate in an ad hoc or authored manner. As well, the system can employ a combination of either ad hoc or authored mechanisms in establishment of the workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Macbeth, Roland L. Fernandez, Brian R. Meyers, Desney S. Tan, George G. Robertson, Nuria M. Oliver, Oscar E. Murillo, Elin R. Pedersen, Mary P. Czerwinski, Jeanine E. Spence
  • Patent number: 7739622
    Abstract: A “Spatial Navigator” provides a document navigation environment that leverages user spatial memory. Graphical thumbnail-type representations (“thumbnails”) provide scaled versions of entire documents. Changes to documents are immediately reflected in corresponding thumbnails. Similarly, document search results are highlighted in corresponding thumbnails. One or more dynamic document selection windows present arrangements of a plurality of these thumbnails for user selection and interaction. Each dynamic document selection window provides real-time inter-file navigation by allowing user selection and opening of documents, or any location or portion of a document, through user interaction with the corresponding thumbnail. Once a document is opened, intra-file navigation is enhanced by providing another scaled version of the entire document in a dynamic scrollbar adjacent to a primary document editing/viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeLine, Mary Czerwinski, Brian R Meyers, Gina Venolia, Steven M Drucker, George G Robertson
  • Patent number: 7660817
    Abstract: A system and method for representing content state in a file system is provided. A file system includes a unique database object that is representative of the object content. The unique database object serves as a link container and includes a plurality of links to additional unique database objects that are properties of the representation of content. The link container database object also maintains additional fields that define additional properties for the representation of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R Smith, George G Robertson, Mary P Czerwinski, Patrick M Baudisch, Brian R Meyers
  • Patent number: 7624354
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently managing desktop content is presented. A plurality of content groups are defined on a computer system. Upon activating the content management system on the computer, representative views are displayed on an associated display device. Each representative view corresponds to a defined content group, and also corresponds to a key on an input device. The system obtains a management action to be completed on the displayed content and further obtains a keypress corresponding to one of the representative views (and its corresponding content group.) The system identifies the content group corresponding to the keypress and carries out the management action on the display content of that content group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mary P Czerwinski, Dugald R Hutchings, II, Daniel C Robbins, George G Robertson, Brian R Meyers, Gregory R Smith