Patents by Inventor Colin Walters
Colin Walters 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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Patent number: 8688742Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a platform for an open overlay for online services, such as social networking sites, that permit users to share and leverage information within a single context. In some embodiments, the single context is implemented as a web site that is accessible to a social network of users that are known to each other. Systems and methods are provided that share and forward information for the users' online services within the single context. Client applications are provided that serve as an open overlay for the user and permit the user to seamlessly utilize the services of multiple online services within a single context. In some embodiments, the users' existing account identities and security information are utilized alone or in combination, and thus, the users are not required to establish a separate or new account for accessing the open overlay service.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Pennington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8626837Abstract: Methods and systems to manage users of a social network. The method includes receiving, at a server, a request to contact a user from another user of a social network based on a selected one of a plurality of associated identity resources of the user known by other users. The method also includes restricting views of other users for the identity of the user to the selected one of the plurality of associated identity resources.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fisher, Havoc Penington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8615550Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and system for allowing an open overlay service for a social network to interface with other online services. In particular, the open overlay service configures its clients to make requests on behalf of the social network. Responses to the requests are routed back to the open overlay service and the information is then provided to the social network. Since the requests come from the client the online services will simply treat them as normal requests, and thus, the open overlay service can seamlessly integrate with a user's online services.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Pennington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8612483Abstract: Systems and methods provide a “live social context” in which users can share multimedia content information. Upon finding multimedia content that a user would like to share with others, the user may select a “share” function Invitations may then be sent to other users across different services. In addition, the invitation may include content, such as a text comment or file that the user has added. The recipient users receive a live notification of the invitation and may then participate in an online discussion with the user. Furthermore, other users may be provided a live notification that activity has been initiated or in-progress about the multimedia content. These users may then request to join in the online discussion.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Pennington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8561162Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for unified login to multiple networked services. A user operates a browser to access a Web site, such as an email portal. The user is presented with a query box to input login information such as a user name and password to view email from an email account. Upon entry of login information to the email or other site, a login manager captures the login information to automatically transmit that information to a local program and associated networked sites or services, such as messenger or media services, that accept the same login information. The login manager logs the user into that program and additional services without the user having to re-enter the same login information. The additional services can be accessed via an online desktop, and the user can configure the additional local programs or registered services via that desktop or other interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventor: Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8407685Abstract: Embodiments relate to a platform for generating ordered download selections based on usage information. A download site can provide a selectable or searchable set of applications to download. The download site collects usage information from online desktops operating on a set of clients. The online desktop of each client samples the applications being used on the client at given intervals and reports the client's usage statistics to the download site. The download site aggregates the usage information received from participating clients and collectively orders applications for download, according to usage rank. A work processing application used by the most users in the last day or other period may be listed first, followed by the second-most used, and so forth. The sampling of actual application usage, instead of for instance download totals, allows the download site to provide downloads in an order most closely approximating users' actual usage behavior.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Bryan W. Clark, Owen W. Taylor, Colin Walters
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Publication number: 20130072314Abstract: A three dimensional structure, including but not limited to a playhouse for children, includes at least three interlocking panels that are configured so as to interlock one with at least one other without the use of hand tools. The at least three interlocking panels have an interior surface and an exterior surface, where at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of one or more of the at least three interlocking panels has a first printed pattern applied thereon. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing and selling the three dimensional structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: BILL GOODMAN CONSULTING, LLCInventors: William Louis Goodman, Gunnar Alldritt Hubbard, Colin Walter Schless
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Publication number: 20120233263Abstract: Methods and systems to manage users of a social network. The method includes receiving, at a server, a request to contact a user from another user of a social network based on a selected one of a plurality of associated identity resources of the user known by other users. The method also includes restricting views of other users for the identity of the user to the selected one of the plurality of associated identity resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: RED HAT, INC.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Penington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8191000Abstract: Methods and systems can manage the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Penington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 8185584Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems that allow users to share information about their recent activities with other users. In particular, as users receive and/or share multimedia content with other users, information that indicates the locations of this content, such as a website, playlist, or file, is passively tracked and logged. This information may be formatted into a viewable form, such as a web site or web log, and cooperatively shared with other users. Users may then incorporate the multimedia content played by other users into their own library. Users may also elect to synchronize their multimedia content with other users. For convenience, multiple locations for the same multimedia content may be determined when it is logged and tracked. Users may obtain the multimedia content using one or more of their existing accounts with a provider at their own discretion.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Pennington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 7904601Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for logging a client into an internet service using a preexisting service. In order to login, the user may select a link that triggers the service to send login information to the user via a preexisting service, such as instant messaging or email. In some embodiments, the user is sent a link via their preexisting service. The user then logs into the service by selecting the link.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Havoc Pennington, Donald Fischer, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Publication number: 20100299617Abstract: Methods and systems can manage the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Penington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 7792903Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for managing the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Donald Fischer, Havoc Pennington, Bryan Clark, Owen Taylor, Colin Walters
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Patent number: 7752553Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an aggregated event stream that indicates activities to a user across a range of online services. Embodiments may include a web site, a client application, or mobile device. In particular, a display is provided to a user that indicates various events in a “stacked” format. Each block of the stacked format represents one or more events originating from the user's own activities or activities of the user's contacts in their social network. Activities may originate from accounts on other online services that the user linked to their account or profile. The stacked format is updated in substantially real time to provide the user a sense of the activities of their social network around them.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Havoc Pennington, Donald Fischer, Bryan Clark, Colin Walters, Marina Zhurakhinskaya, Mike Langlie
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Patent number: 7752552Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a way of embedding a display of activities relevant to a social network in a third party website. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide for an embedded aggregated event stream. In particular, a display is provided to a user that indicates various events in a “stacked” format. Each block of the stacked format represents one or more events originating from the user's own activities or activities of the user's contacts in their social network. Activities may originate from accounts on other online services that the user linked to their account or profile. The stacked format is updated in substantially real time to provide the user a sense of the activities of their social network around them.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.Inventors: Havoc Pennington, Donald Fischer, Bryan Clark, Colin Walters, Marina Zhurakhinskaya, Mike Langlie
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Publication number: 20090222735Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for enhancing browsing history using syndicated data feeds. A browser contains a navigation manager that captures and tracks the URLs (universal resource locators) of the Web sites and subsections of sites that a user visits. The captured URL pathways are stored to a navigation record. In addition, the presence and identify of RSS feeds which the user has chosen to activate is also recorded. Upon return to the same Web site or other location, the navigation manager directs the user to the specific section of the Web site associated with the RSS feed, such as media lists, photography upload sections, or other portions of a Web site.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Bryan W. Clark, Colin Walters
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Publication number: 20090222463Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of displaying information. The method includes monitoring any user activity within at least one application executing on a computer and detecting a completion of a user activity. The method also includes creating a link to the completed user activity and placing in the link in a time-ordered sequential basis in a journal section of a desktop of the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Bryan William Clark, Colin Walters
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Publication number: 20090222899Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for unified login to multiple networked services. A user operates a browser to access a Web site, such as an email portal. The user is presented with a query box to input login information such as a user name and password to view email from an email account. Upon entry of login information to the email or other site, a login manager captures the login information to automatically transmit that information to a local program and associated networked sites or services, such as messenger or media services, that accept the same login information. The login manager logs the user into that program and additional services without the user having to re-enter the same login information. The additional services can be accessed via an online desktop, and the user can configure the additional local programs or registered services via that desktop or other interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventor: Colin Walters
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Publication number: 20090222736Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of filtering for a browser. The method includes providing a browser with a browser history function, the browser history function configured to store each site web page visited and stored in time sequential order as a browser history. The method also includes providing a filter module for the browser; and applying the filter module to the browser history function to eliminate intermediary web pages from entering the browser history.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Bryan William Clark, Colin Walters
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Publication number: 20090210870Abstract: Embodiments relate to a platform for generating ordered download selections based on usage information. A download site can provide a selectable or searchable set of applications to download. The download site collects usage information from online desktops operating on a set of clients. The online desktop of each client samples the applications being used on the client at given intervals and reports the client's usage statistics to the download site. The download site aggregates the usage information received from participating clients and collectively orders applications for download, according to usage rank. A work processing application used by the most users in the last day or other period may be listed first, followed by the second-most used, and so forth. The sampling of actual application usage, instead of for instance download totals, allows the download site to provide downloads in an order most closely approximating users' actual usage behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Bryan W. Clark, Owen W. Taylor, Colin Walters