Patents by Inventor Colin R. Anthony
Colin R. Anthony 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).
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Publication number: 20110122129Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for rendering images on a two-dimensional display, such as a computer, handheld device, or television screen, so that the images appear to be positioned in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. The images may be graphics files or standard files with an associated thumbnail image. Numerous layouts of the images on the display are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: COLIN R. ANTHONY, JUSTIN MANN, MARTIJN E. VAN TILBURG
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Patent number: 7903110Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for rendering images on a two-dimensional display, such as a computer, handheld device, or television screen, so that the images appear to be positioned in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. The images may be graphics files or standard files with an associated thumbnail image. Numerous layouts of the images on the display are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Colin R. Anthony, Justin Mann, Martijn E. Van Tilburg
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Patent number: 7864978Abstract: A random yet smart selection of layouts is provided when viewing a set of photos. A set of layouts may be chosen such that a reasonable sense of variety and uniqueness is provided when viewing the photos. For instance, photos may be randomly assigned to one of a plurality of groups, where each group may have its own layout type and its own number of photos. An iterative algorithm may be applied to determine which photos are assigned to which groups. In addition, smart cropping of photo thumbnails may be provided to fit frames provided in the various presented layouts. The amount and/or type of cropping provided may depend upon the aspect ratios of both the thumbnail and the frame in which the thumbnail is to be placed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Colin R. Anthony, Martijn E. Van Tilburg
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Publication number: 20100250685Abstract: Techniques are described to provide content channels for electronic messaging. In an implementation, a content channel may be configured to contain multiple content portions having various types of content for delivery to one or more clients. The content channel may be associated with an electronic message such as an email or instant message. The content channel and updates to the content channel may be pushed to the clients as electronic messages in an electronic messaging environment. The clients may expose a user interface having one or more portions that are arranged to present and provide interaction with the content channel. The content channel may be pinned within a designated portion of the user interface to enable repeated access to the content channel via the designated portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Micheal C. Kunz, Michael D. Schackwitz, Ari D. Galen, Colin R. Anthony
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Publication number: 20100235761Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean O. Blagsvedt, Ahsan S. Kabir, Roman L. Deeds, Peyman Oreizy, Cornelius K. Van Dok, Kevin M. Otnes, Mark Schofield, Colin R. Anthony, Christopher J. Araman
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Patent number: 7788297Abstract: An interactive, meter-type graphical user interface (“GUI”) visually illustrates how the storage capacity of a physical or logical storage container is consumed by a number of items. Examples of items include physical units, logical units, or files of digital content. The items are arranged into a number of logical groups (each group including zero or more items) in accordance with user-selectable grouping criteria. The GUI displays group indicators in a manner that illustrates the relative amount of storage capacity consumed by each group (with respect to either total storage capacity or consumed storage capacity), and optionally by the individual items within each group. The GUI may also facilitate user manipulation of the items associated with each of the displayed groups, or suggest to the user how the unused storage capacity of a particular storage container may be consumed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Jon Weir, Colin R. Anthony
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Patent number: 7769794Abstract: A file system shell is provided. One aspect of the shell provides virtual folders which expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. Users are able to work with the virtual folders through direct manipulation (e.g., clicking and dragging, copying, pasting, etc.). Filters are provided for narrowing down sets of items. Quick links are provided which can be clicked on to generate useful views of the sets of items. Libraries are provided which consist of large groups of usable types of items that can be associated together, along with functions and tools related to the items. A virtual address bar is provided which comprises a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a filter for selecting content. A shell browser is provided with which users can readily identify an item based on the metadata associated with that item.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason F. Moore, Giampiero M. Sierra, Richard M. Banks, Lyon King-Fook Wong, Relja B. Ivanovic, Paul A. Gusmorino, Tyler K. Beam, Timothy P. McKee, Jeffrey C. Belt, David G. De Vorchik, Chris J. Guzak, Aidan Low, Kenneth M. Tubbs, Colin R. Anthony, Sasanka C. Chalivendra, Marieke Iwema Watson, Gerald Paul Joyce, Alex D. Wade, Benjamin A. Betz, Ahsan S. Kabir, Donna B. Andrews, Patrice L. Miner, Paul L. Cutsinger
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Patent number: 7730134Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Workman NydeggerInventors: Sean O. Blagsvedt, Ahsan S. Kabir, Roman L. Deeds, Peyman Oreizy, Cornelius K. Van Dok, Kevin M. Otnes, Mark Schofield, Colin R. Anthony, Christopher J. Araman
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Publication number: 20100091021Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for rendering images on a two-dimensional display, such as a computer, handheld device, or television screen, so that the images appear to be positioned in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. The images may be graphics files or standard files with an associated thumbnail image. Numerous layouts of the images on the display are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: COLIN R. ANTHONY, JUSTIN MANN, MARTIJN E. VAN TILBURG
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Patent number: 7636089Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for rendering images on a two-dimensional display, such as a computer, handheld device, or television screen, so that the images appear to be positioned in a three-dimensional space. The images may be graphics files or standard files with an associated thumbnail image. Numerous layouts of the images on the display are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Colin R. Anthony, Justin Mann, Martijn E. Van Tilburg
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Patent number: 7614009Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture suitable for rendering a graphical user interface including at least one viewable graphical element, the graphical element having a filename associated therewith, the filename being absent from the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Scott E. Dart, Colin R. Anthony, Jingyang Xu, Jae P. Park, Benjamin L. Perry, Tyler K. Beam
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Patent number: 7605947Abstract: Enhancement of electronic ink is achieved by automatically displaying a contrasting outline for the ink. The outline provides a visual transition between the ink and the underlying background. The outlining color may be chosen independent of the background color(s). Thus, a user may choose any ink color desired, without regard to the background, and the written ink will be legible over the background. Moreover, the user does not need to change ink color based on the background, but instead may maintain the same ink color over the entire background if the user so desires.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Colin R. Anthony, Daniel W. Crevier, Jeffrey J. Weir, Sam J. George
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Patent number: 7577923Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a view mode and a preferred setting within that view mode for displaying one or more items in a screen display. A single user input indicates the selected view mode. The input mechanism can be a hardware device, such as a keyboard or mouse, or a software control presented in a graphical user interface. The software control includes a graphical depiction of the current view mode. A preferred setting for each available view mode may be stored and activated by the software control.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Tyler K. Beam, David G. De Vorchik, Colin R. Anthony, Charles Cummins, Giampiero M. Sierra, Kenneth M. Tubbs
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Publication number: 20090193359Abstract: Groups of photo thumbnails are presented to the user, and where a user selects one of the thumbnails, a transition is provided replacing the group of thumbnails with the photo represented by the selected thumbnail. The photo may be displayed without cropping or stretching. In addition, a zoom/enlargement animation of the selected thumbnail is provided, and also possibly of the remaining thumbnails in the group, which then transitions into the represented photo. In addition, after or during the zooming animation, a cross-fading may occur such that the thumbnails fade out and the represented photo fades in. These types of transitions and user inputs both while the user is manually browsing thumbnails and when the user is viewing an automated slideshow of the thumbnails.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Colin R. Anthony, Martijn E. Van Tilburg, Justin Mann
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Patent number: 7565623Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a view mode from a plurality of view modes and for selecting a setting within the selected view mode for displaying one or more items in a screen display. A single user input indicates both a selected view mode and a selected setting within that view mode. The input mechanism can be a hardware device, such as a keyboard or mouse, or a software control presented in a graphical user interface. The software view control may include a setting range display indicating a plurality of available settings, a view mode range display indicating a plurality of available view modes corresponding to the plurality of available settings, and a user selection component.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Tyler K. Beam, David G. De Vorchik, Colin R. Anthony, Charles Cummins, Giampiero M. Sierra, Kenneth M. Tubbs
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Patent number: 7536654Abstract: Groups of photo thumbnails are presented to the user, and where a user selects one of the thumbnails, a transition is provided replacing the group of thumbnails with the photo represented by the selected thumbnail. The photo may be displayed without cropping or stretching. In addition, a zoom/enlargement animation of the selected thumbnail is provided, and also possibly of the remaining thumbnails in the group, which then transitions into the represented photo. In addition, after or during the zooming animation, a cross-fading may occur such that the thumbnails fade out and the represented photo fades in. These types of transitions and user inputs both while the user is manually browsing thumbnails and when the user is viewing an automated slideshow of the thumbnails.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Colin R. Anthony, Martijn E. Van Tilburg, Justin Mann
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Patent number: 7496583Abstract: A property tree user interface permits user assignment of values to metadata properties and user navigation of data, within a system that includes a data storage subsystem in which data items are organized and queried by way of properties. The property tree includes nodes that expose properties of data items. A user may interact with the property tree in order to effect an assignment of a property, in which case the value associated with the property in the data storage subsystem is modified. User input with respect to the property tree may also be indicative of a query of data storage, in which case a browsable view of data items responsive to the query is displayed. The property tree may also display nodes that represent folders within a hierarchical file system, nodes that represent properties with inherent hierarchy, and nodes that represent user-defined hierarchical properties.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason F. Moore, Cornelis K. Van Dok, Relja Ivanovic, Colin R. Anthony, Richard M. Banks
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Publication number: 20090030998Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean O. Blagsvedt, Ahsan S. Kabir, Roman L. Deeds, Peyman Oreizy, Cornelius K. Van Dok, Kevin M. Otnes, Mark Schofield, Colin R. Anthony, Christopher J. Araman
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Publication number: 20080288562Abstract: An interactive, meter-type graphical user interface (“GUI”) visually illustrates how the storage capacity of a physical or logical storage container is consumed by a number of items. Examples of items include physical units, logical units, or files of digital content. The items are arranged into a number of logical groups (each group including zero or more items) in accordance with user-selectable grouping criteria. The GUI displays group indicators in a manner that illustrates the relative amount of storage capacity consumed by each group (with respect to either total storage capacity or consumed storage capacity), and optionally by the individual items within each group. The GUI may also facilitate user manipulation of the items associated with each of the displayed groups, or suggest to the user how the unused storage capacity of a particular storage container may be consumed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Jon Weir, Colin R. Anthony
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Patent number: 7433920Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean O. Blagsvedt, Ahsan S. Kabir, Roman L. Deeds, Peyman Oreizy, Cornelius K. Van Dok, Kevin M. Otnes, Mark Schofield, Colin R. Anthony, Christopher J. Araman