Patents by Inventor Bruce Leak

Bruce Leak 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: 8699861
    Abstract: A recorded content management system determines when recorded content maintained in a television-based entertainment and information system has been watched by a viewer. When a segment or percentage of the recorded content for a particular program is displayed for viewing, it is determined whether the program has been watched so that the recorded content, or a portion of the recorded content, can be queued for deletion, or maintained for additional viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Bruce A. Leak, David J. Cheng, Shannon B. Vosseller, Marcus Tai-Tong Aiu
  • Publication number: 20140081517
    Abstract: In an example, a method of modifying functionality of an electronic device associated with a vehicle may include assessing one or more safety parameters associated with an operating state of a vehicle. The method may further include modifying functionality of an electronic device associated with the vehicle based on the one or more safety parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CLOUDCAR, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Barrett, Konstantin Othmer, Bruce Leak
  • Patent number: 8234592
    Abstract: A system for accessing the World Wide Web or other information sources using the Internet incorporates scaled-down versions of images associated with recently-viewed documents or documents designated as favorites into a recent menu or a favorites menu, respectively. As a user accesses a Web page, a scaled-down version of the Web page is inserted into a recent menu. The user can view the recent menu and visually determine the identity of the recently-viewed Web pages, which allows the user to conveniently select Web pages to access. This recent menu also enables the user to access recently-viewed documents in any order, which does not need to be in the chronological order in which the pages were originally viewed or in a reverse chronological order. Scaled-down versions of Web pages designated as favorites are stored in the favorites menu, thereby assisting the user in recalling the content of the favorite documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. White, Phillip Y. Goldman, David R. Anderson, Keith R. Ohlfs, Bruce A. Leak
  • Patent number: 7716598
    Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling down a Web page image enables the image to be displayed on a standard television without horizontal scrolling of the image. A Web page image that initially has a horizontal dimension larger than the horizontal dimension of a television display is received from a web server and subsequently scaled down by a scaling factor that is based only upon the amount of scaling that is necessary to fit the image within the horizontal dimension of the television display. This scaling factor is used to scale the image horizontally and vertically, thus preserving the aspect ratio of the image. When a hyperlink from the scaled down Web page image is selected, coordinates to the hyperlink are scaled up based on the same scaling factor so that they will correspond with the server-side image map of the Web page image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. White, Phillip Y. Goldman, David R. Anderson, Keith R. Ohlfs, Bruce A. Leak
  • Patent number: 7568214
    Abstract: An interactive television system includes “connected” receiver units capable of establishing bi-directional connections to remote information stores, such as Web servers, and “disconnected” receiver units unequipped to make such connections. The system supports the use of broadcast triggers that include connectivity values indicating whether an information resource identified by a trigger refers to “connected content” or “disconnected content.” The term “connected content” refers to information resources that require bi-directional connections to remote information stores; the term “disconnected content” refers to information resources, such as a locally stored program guide, that do not require such bi-directional connections. Disconnected receiver units identify and reject connected-content triggers by examining connectivity values broadcast as part of triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Leak, Daniel J. Zigmond, Dean J. Blackketter
  • Patent number: 7523399
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and maintaining operable and updated versions of software on a client, which may be a set-top box or a personal computer. A server automatically downloads software updates over a satellite link to a client after such upgrades become available at the server without requiring interaction with a user. Similarly, corrupted software is automatically replaced by the client first automatically detecting if a corrupted state exists in local software or data using a checksum technique. If such corruption is found, the client automatically connects over the Internet to a server that contains a replacement for the corrupted program or data. The client then automatically receives a download of the program or data from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joe F. Britt, Jr., Andrew T. McFadden, Phillip Y. Goldman, Bruce A. Leak
  • Publication number: 20080247724
    Abstract: A recorded content management system determines when recorded content maintained in a television-based entertainment and information system has been watched by a viewer. When a segment or percentage of the recorded content for a particular program is displayed for viewing, it is determined whether the program has been watched so that the recorded content, or a portion of the recorded content, can be queued for deletion, or maintained for additional viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Bruce A. Leak, David J. Cheng, Shannon B. Vosseller, Marcus Tai-Tong Aiu
  • Publication number: 20080184163
    Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling down a Web page image enables the image to be displayed on a standard television without horizontal scrolling of the image. A Web page image that initially has a horizontal dimension larger than the horizontal dimension of a television display is received from a web server and subsequently scaled down by a scaling factor that is based only upon the amount of scaling that is necessary to fit the image within the horizontal dimension of the television display. This scaling factor is used to scale the image horizontally and vertically, thus preserving the aspect ratio of the image. When a hyperlink from the scaled down Web page image is selected, coordinates to the hyperlink are scaled up based on the same scaling factor so that they will correspond with the server-side image map of the Web page image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. White, Phillip Y. Goldman, David R. Anderson, Keith R. Ohlfs, Bruce A. Leak
  • Patent number: 7394967
    Abstract: A recorded content management system determines when recorded content maintained in a television-based entertainment and information system has been watched by a viewer. When a segment or percentage of the recorded content for a particular program is displayed for viewing, it is determined whether the program has been watched so that the recorded content, or a portion of the recorded content, can be queued for deletion, or maintained for additional viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Potrebic, Bruce A. Leak, David J. Cheng, Shannon B. Vosseller, Marcus Tai-Tong Aiu
  • Publication number: 20080141120
    Abstract: A system for accessing the World Wide Web or other information sources using the Internet incorporates scaled-down versions of images associated with recently-viewed documents or documents designated as favorites into a recent menu or a favorites menu, respectively. As a user accesses a Web page, a scaled-down version of the Web page is inserted into a recent menu. The user can view the recent menu and visually determine the identity of the recently-viewed Web pages, which allows the user to conveniently select Web pages to access. This recent menu also enables the user to access recently-viewed documents in any order, which does not need to be in the chronological order in which the pages were originally viewed or in a reverse chronological order. Scaled-down versions of Web pages designated as favorites are stored in the favorites menu, thereby assisting the user in recalling the content of the favorite documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. White, Phillip Y. Goldman, David R. Anderson, Keith R. Ohlfs, Bruce A. Leak
  • Patent number: 7350155
    Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling down a Web page image enables the image to be displayed on a standard television without horizontal scrolling of the image. A Web page image that initially has a horizontal dimension larger than the horizontal dimension of a television display is received from a web server and subsequently scaled down by a scaling factor that is based only upon the amount of scaling that is necessary to fit the image within the horizontal dimension of the television display. This scaling factor is used to scale the image horizontally and vertically, thus preserving the aspect ratio of the image. When a hyperlink from the scaled down Web page image is selected, coordinates to the hyperlink are scaled up based on the same scaling factor so that they will correspond with the server-side image map of the Web page image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. White, Phillip Y. Goldman, David R. Anderson, Keith R. Ohlfs, Bruce A. Leak
  • Publication number: 20080062940
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between local wireless networks and mobile devices and more particularly, to sending presence-based content to mobile devices over local wireless network access points. The method includes receiving notification that the mobile device has established a wireless network connection with a LWN through a WAP of the LWN; receiving a request from a content provider to send content through the WAP to the mobile device; allowing the content provider to send content to the mobile device through the WAP or other network connected to the mobile device. In one exemplary method, a wireless service provider or mobile device user can govern what content is sent to a mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Skypop.Inc.
    Inventors: Konstantin Othmer, Michael Ruf, Timo Bruck, Bruce Leak, Joseph Poletto, Thomas Ziola
  • Patent number: 7305472
    Abstract: A server system provides a client system with access to a number of services. For each service, if a given service provider is overloaded or if the client is unable to contact that provider, the client can contact another service provider capable of providing the requested service. The server system provides information to the client system identifying a list of services that the server system provides. For each service in the list of services, the information may include a service name identifying the service, and a unique port identifying each service provider for that service, so that one service name can be used in accessing multiple service providers of a desired service. A request from the client may include a service name identifying the desired service, and a port selected from ports provided by the server system that corresponds to a service provider for the desired service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lee S. Mighdoll, Bruce A. Leak, Stephen G. Perlman, Phillip Y. Goldman
  • Patent number: 7174562
    Abstract: An interactive television system includes “connected” receiver units capable of establishing bi-directional connections to remote information stores, such as Web servers, and “disconnected” receiver units unequipped to make such connections. The system supports the use of broadcast triggers that include connectivity values indicating whether an information resource identified by a trigger refers to “connected content” or “disconnected content.” The term “connected content” refers to information resources that require bi-directional connections to remote information stores; the term “disconnected content” refers to information resources, such as a locally stored program guide, that do not require such bi-directional connections. Disconnected receiver units identify and reject connected-content triggers by examining connectivity values broadcast as part of triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Leak, Daniel J. Zigmond, Dean J. Blackketter
  • Patent number: 6957260
    Abstract: A server system provides a client system with access to a number of services. For each service, if a given service provider is overloaded or if the client is unable to contact that provider, the client can contact another service provider capable of providing the requested service. The server system provides information to the client system identifying a list of services that the server system provides. For each service in the list of services, the information may include a service name identifying the service, and a unique port identifying each service provider for that service, so that one service name can be used in accessing multiple service providers of a desired service. A request from the client may include a service name identifying the desired service, and a port selected from ports provided by the server system that corresponds to a service provider for the desired service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lee S. Mighdoll, Bruce A. Leak, Stephen G. Perlman, Phillip Y. Goldman
  • Publication number: 20050188086
    Abstract: A server system provides a client system with access to a number of services. For each service, if a given service provider is overloaded or if the client is unable to contact that provider, the client can contact another service provider capable of providing the requested service. The server system provides information to the client system identifying a list of services that the server system provides. For each service in the list of services, the information may include a service name identifying the service, and a unique port identifying each service provider for that service, so that one service name can be used in accessing multiple service providers of a desired service. A request from the client may include a service name identifying the desired service, and a port selected from ports provided by the server system that corresponds to a service provider for the desired service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Mighdoll, Bruce Leak, Stephen Perlman, Phillip Goldman
  • Publication number: 20050149878
    Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling down a Web page image enables the image to be displayed on a standard television without horizontal scrolling of the image. A Web page image that initially has a horizontal dimension larger than the horizontal dimension of a television display is received from a web server and subsequently scaled down by a scaling factor that is based only upon the amount of scaling that is necessary to fit the image within the horizontal dimension of the television display. This scaling factor is used to scale the image horizontally and vertically, thus preserving the aspect ratio of the image. When a hyperlink from the scaled down Web page image is selected, coordinates to the hyperlink are scaled up based on the same scaling factor so that they will correspond with the server-side image map of the Web page image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: WebTV Networks, Inc. (Microsoft Corp.)
    Inventors: Christopher White, Phillip Goldman, David Anderson, Keith Ohlfs, Bruce Leak
  • Patent number: 6891553
    Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling down a Web page image enables the image to be displayed on a standard television without horizontal scrolling of the image. A Web page image that initially has a horizontal dimension larger than the horizontal dimension of a television display is received from a web server and subsequently scaled down by a scaling factor that is based only upon the amount of scaling that is necessary to fit the image within the horizontal dimension of the television display. This scaling factor is used to scale the image horizontally and vertically, thus preserving the aspect ratio of the image. When a hyperlink from the scaled down Web page image is selected, coordinates to the hyperlink are scaled up based on the same scaling factor so that they will correspond with the server side image map of the Web page image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. White, Phillip Y. Goldman, David R. Anderson, Keith R. Ohlfs, Bruce A. Leak
  • Publication number: 20040261130
    Abstract: An interactive television system includes “connected” receiver units capable of establishing bi-directional connections to remote information stores, such as Web servers, and “disconnected” receiver units unequipped to make such connections. The system supports the use of broadcast triggers that include connectivity values indicating whether an information resource identified by a trigger refers to “connected content” or “disconnected content.” The term “connected content” refers to information resources that require bi-directional connections to remote information stores; the term “disconnected content” refers to information resources, such as a locally stored program guide, that do not require such bi-directional connections. Disconnected receiver units identify and reject connected-content triggers by examining connectivity values broadcast as part of triggers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce A. Leak, Daniel J. Zigmond, Dean J. Blackketter
  • Patent number: 6668378
    Abstract: Interactive television content can be classified as either disconnected content or as connected content. An interactive television system involves some receivers that cannot establish connections to the Internet and therefore cannot properly process triggers to connected content. The system also involves other receiver units that can establish connections to the Internet and can process triggers to connected content. A trigger in accordance with the invention involves a “connected content/disconnected content” attribute that identifies the trigger as either a trigger to disconnected content or a trigger to connected content. Receiver units that cannot process triggers to connected content can therefore use the attribute to identify triggers to such connected content and can then ignore such triggers, while those receiver units that can process triggers to connect content can use those triggers to make the desired Internet connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: WebTV Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Leak, Daniel J. Zigmond, Dean J. Blackketter