Patents by Inventor Charles Cummins

Charles Cummins 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).

  • Publication number: 20060218500
    Abstract: The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed to a method for pinning a tab in a tabbed browser. Briefly stated, browsing software is configured to recognize a “pin” event, such as a hot key, a menu selection, and the like. Upon recognizing the pin event, the browsing software splits a display screen into a pinned window and a tabbed window. The tabbed window displays one or more open tabs and the content of the currently in focus tab. The pinned window may display content that was previously displayed within one of the tabs in the tabbed window or may display new content. The browsing software may configure the navigation of the pinned window differently than the navigation for the tabs in the tabbed window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Sauve, Charles Cummins, Cornelis Van Dok, Tony Schreiner
  • Publication number: 20060218247
    Abstract: Described are a system and method for highlighting a domain in a browser display. Briefly stated, a browsing software is configured to parse an address to identify important portion, such as a domain name associated with content being displayed. The important portion of the address is then displayed in a highlighted or otherwise emphasized manner, thus enabling a user to visually discern whether to trust the source of the content being displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Sauve, Charles Cummins
  • Publication number: 20060206926
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of accessing secure applications from a portal using a single login procedure. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for allowing a client to access a secure application hosted on a server using a hyperlink provided on a secure portal. The hyperlink is associated with the secure application. According to one method, a client initiates a login procedure to gain access to the portal. Credentials are provided to the portal in response to a prompt for credentials. The credentials received from the client are authenticated and thereafter the client is granted access to the portal. To gain access to the secure application, the client actuates the hyperlink. A request containing the credentials is constructed and communicated to the server. The credentials contained within the request are authenticated and the client is granted access to the secure application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Yongping Luo, Charles Cummins
  • Publication number: 20060184537
    Abstract: The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed to a method for managing multiple content windows. The content windows may host a web browser, a shell view, a word processing application, and the like. A set of content windows are grouped into a frame in a manner such that a taskbar shows one item for the set of content windows. Each content window is associated with a tab for the frame. A content-specific menu may be associated with each tab. The content-specific menu includes a set of commands based on the heterogeneous content hosted in the content window. The set of commands provide functionality to the heterogeneous content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Sauve, Charles Cummins, Cornelis Van Dok, Tony Schreiner
  • Publication number: 20060123353
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system or method for displaying rich presentation taskbar buttons for a corresponding application. In one example, the rich presentation taskbar button may receive content from an application through a programming interface. The present invention further relates to a system and method for displaying a rich presentation taskbar button and for displaying and/or dismissing a thumbnail of an application window associated with the rich presentation taskbar button. The present invention may further include a system and method of pinning the thumbnail on a display or dismissing a thumbnail. The present invention also relates to a system and method for displaying multiple taskbar buttons in a taskbar including controlling the size of individual taskbar buttons, consolidating taskbar buttons and placing taskbar buttons into an overflow based on the type of taskbar button in the taskbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Matthews, Mark Ligameri, Charles Cummins, Jeffrey Pettiross, R. Kumar, Charles Stabb, Yeming Shi
  • Publication number: 20060107226
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for convenient display of a user interface providing dynamic information. The user interface may contain a designated area that provides the dynamic information and a predetermined location. When a cursor hovers over the predetermined location, the user interface may be displayed in front of any overlapping element on the display. The user interface may be displayed behind the overlapping elements on the display when the cursor is moved away from the user interface or predetermined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Matthews, Mark Ligameri, Charles Cummins, Jeffrey Pettiross, Yeming Shi, Charles Stabb, Fabrice Debry, Andrew Crane, Hillel Cooperman
  • Publication number: 20060107231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying information on a display such that access to applications or dynamic information through independent user interfaces may be attained in a designated area on a display and may be easily and conveniently moved from the designated area on the display to any other location in the display. Further, the applications or independent user interfaces may be arranged automatically such that the independent user interfaces may be substantially evenly spaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Matthews, Mark Ligameri, Charles Cummins
  • Publication number: 20060070007
    Abstract: In an electronic file system, preview information is provided to the user during a drag operation of a selected object onto a target object. The information indicates what type(s) of action is to be taken should the selected object be dropped onto the target object. The action(s) to be taken may depend upon the type of the selected object and/or the type of the target object. For example, where the selected object is an item and the target object is a persisted auto-list, the action may include adding, removing, or modifying one or more properties of the selected object to conform to one or more criteria defined by the persisted auto-list. Also, numerical feedback may be provided to the user where multiple objects are selected. For example, where seven objects are selected, the textual number “7” may appear next to the cursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Cornelis Van Dok, David De Vorchik, Stephan Hoefnagels, Timothy McKee, Tyler Beam
  • Publication number: 20060020899
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for displaying icons in accordance with user preferences. The method includes providing a user with a size selection mechanism for selecting an icon size from a range of sizes. The method additionally includes searching a set of stored resources related to the underlying file and generating the icon in the selected size based upon the stored resources. The method may additionally include selecting an icon type including one of an image icon, a detail icon and a generic icon based on at least one of the user's size selection and the represented file. Furthermore, the icon display system of the invention positions labels and overlays in the vicinity of the icon based upon the selected size of the icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Gusmorino, Tyler Beam, Raymond Chen, Charles Cummins, Robert Day, Colin Anthony, Jenny Lam, Isaac Sheldon, David De Vorchik
  • Patent number: 6990637
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) view of a data collection based on an attribute is disclosed. A timeline is provided for displaying files and folders. The timeline may include a focal group that displays detailed information about its contents to the user. Remaining items on the timeline are displayed in less detail and may be positioned to appear further away from the user. A histogram may be provided as part of the view to allow the user to more easily navigate the timeline to find a desired file or folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Ray Anthony, Stéphane St-Michel, Zeke Book Odins-Lucas, Jordan Luther King Schwartz, Richard Malcolm Banks, Marcus Simon Howell Harvey, Charles Cummins, Charles W. Stabb, Mark Richard Ligameri
  • Publication number: 20050289482
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) view of a data collection based on an attribute is disclosed. A timeline is provided for displaying files and folders. The timeline may include a focal group that displays detailed information about its contents to the user. Remaining items on the timeline are displayed in less detail and may be positioned to appear further away from the user. A histogram may be provided as part of the view to allow the user to more easily navigate the timeline to find a desired file or folder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Anthony, Stephane St-Michel, Zeke Odins-Lucas, Jordan Schwartz, Richard Banks, Marcus Harvey, Charles Cummins, Charles Stabb, Mark Ligameri
  • Publication number: 20050283742
    Abstract: The features described herein are directed to a method and system for use in a computing environment for representing files stored in stacks. The method includes providing a set of stack icons, each icon in the set having a stack height representing a range of stack sizes. The method additionally includes determining a stack size for a selected stack and selecting and displaying an appropriate stack icon from the set of stack icons based on the determined stack size. The selected stack may be stored within one of multiple libraries. Accordingly a distinct set of icons relevant to each library may be stored for each library. The icons may visibly convey information pertaining to the relevant library. Accordingly, the method may include representing a selected stack by determining an appropriate library and an appropriate stack height and displaying a corresponding icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Gusmorino, Charles Cummins, David De Vorchik, Richard Banks, Relja Ivanovic, Jenny Lam, Jason Moore
  • Patent number: D521016
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Michael James Hone, Harold S. Gomez
  • Patent number: D522015
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Cornelis K. Van Dok, Tjeerd Hoek
  • Patent number: D527012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Michael James Hone
  • Patent number: D528122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Cornelis K. Van Dok, Mark R. Ligameri, Greg S. Melander
  • Patent number: D528558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Michael James Hone, Harold S. Gomez
  • Patent number: D529039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Michael James Hone
  • Patent number: D529507
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Cummins
  • Patent number: D529510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Cummins, Mark R. Ligameri