Patents by Inventor Dane Howard

Dane Howard 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: 20100217760
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result associated with a user of a client device are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then formatted into rendering and display instructions, which will cause a client device to render the display layout. The rendering and display instructions are transmitted to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan Melcher, Dane Howard
  • Publication number: 20100217685
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing gesture functionality are provided. In example embodiments, a gesture input is received. The gesture input represents a commerce-related action, whereby the commerce-related action relates to an action to be performed within a networked environment. A determination is performed to determine that the commerce-related action is executable. The commerce-related action is then performed based on the determination that the commerce-related action is executable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan Melcher, Dane Howard
  • Publication number: 20100218116
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result associated with a user of a device are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then rendered and displayed on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan Melcher, Dane Howard
  • Patent number: 7385150
    Abstract: A device has a moving display that alternatively hides two keyboards. As the display is moved to expose one keyboard, the device may take on different functionality than when the other keyboard is exposed. The sliding mechanism has a back plate with two guides, onto which are mounted the two keyboards. A sliding plate engages has at least two legs that engage the guides. Electrical signals are passed from components attached to the sliding plate to components attached to the back plate through signals routed along one of the sliding plate legs. A loop of cable is able to roll beneath the keyboard when the sliding plate is moved from one position to another. A spring may also be used between the sliding plate and back plate to hold the sliding plate at either extreme of its travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kabir Siddiqui, Dane Howard, Catherine Kim, Chris Robert Towers, Claude Zellweger
  • Publication number: 20070107014
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are related to navigating through content on a device that includes stored information that is organized according to channels. Content that is associated with the channels is selected and viewed on a display of the device by means of passive interaction when the device is in a glance-view operating state. The device periodically changes the display according to a playlist that indexes selected channel views associated with the current channel. The selected channel views are selected from the available channels according to a rule set that is associated with the channel. After every item in the playlist is processed, the playlist is updated according to application of the rule set. A customized channel may include references to other channels such that channel views associated with the customized channel correspond to channel views from other channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dane Howard, Eric Lang, R. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20070067272
    Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for providing a user interface for mobile devices. The user interface can include a search function that utilizes user input to search multiple software applications and data sources. Content can be retrieved and presented to a user without requiring the user to navigate to the underlying application or sources supplying the content. The applications or content sources can be local to the mobile device or remotely located, such as an Internet site. One or more types of data can be retrieved and presented to a user based upon the user input. Search results can be displayed and dynamically updated as additional user input is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Flynt, Bryan Agnetta, Dane Howard, Lee Lin
  • Publication number: 20070027852
    Abstract: When an input device, which may be a portable communications device, receives a keyword input from a user, an advertisement associated with the keyword, and stored on the device, is displayed. Then, a signal is transmitted to a remote site which indicates that the advertisement was displayed. In some embodiments, an advertiser pays a fee associated with the advertising being displayed, and may also pay a fee to place the advertisement on the device. A user has the option of turning off the advertisements, and/or of being paid a fee when the advertisements are displayed on his or her device. Specific advertisements may be displayed based on the physical location of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dane Howard, Lee Lin
  • Publication number: 20070027848
    Abstract: When a user types in one or more characters from a restricted or ambiguous character set, such as numbers from a keypad, the characters in the restricted or ambiguous set are mapped to a larger set of characters, such as the alphabet. Then, the larger mapping set is used to search through keywords representing options available on a communications device, options available through the Internet, and possibly options available through paid placements. The set of options that are returned are then sorted based on past user behavior, on the context the device was in when the search was initiated, and optionally, on weightings given to selected keywords through paid placement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dane Howard, Lee Lin
  • Publication number: 20070027367
    Abstract: An open architecture, wireless personal area network for receiving, storing, processing, displaying and communicating physiological data. The wireless personal area network may include a personal server, such as a cellular phone, and a plurality of sensors to monitor physiological signs, the user's motion, the user's orientation, and environmental factors. The sensors wirelessly provide data to the personal server, which may store, process, display, and communicate the data. An open architecture allows additional sensors to join the network without rendering the personal server irrelevant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nuria Oliver, Fernando Flores-Mangas, Dane Howard, Eric Lang, Russell Sanchez, Michael Sinclair, Alfred Tan, Ralph Thompson
  • Publication number: 20060073851
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device for receiving and displaying information from a wireless signal transmission is provided. The device utilizes one or more mechanical and/or digital indicators for displaying the information. One embodiment of the invention provides a smart personal object, such as a watch device, for receiving and displaying wireless transmission information, wherein the object has a traditional style and look. The device is operable to convey received information using hands, sliders, dials, rings, disks, etc. and can be constructed in traditional high fidelity/quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Colando, Albert Tan, Dane Howard, Lorenzo Tessiore, Eric Lang
  • Publication number: 20060035628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a weather channel that provides a user of a mobile electronic device simple access to weather information, such as local weather, national and international weather, user selected cities, as well as weather alerts and messages. The user may customize the weather content they receive on their devices. Users are able to view weather information based on their preferences. While using the weather channel, users automatically receive broadcast weather information, including local weather information (current temperature, forecast information, sunset, sunrise, humidity, UV index, and the like); selected city information, national and international weather, and weather alerts and messages that are easy to navigate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Miller, Albert Tan, Dane Howard, Paul VanderSpek, James Cooley, Keith Curtis
  • Publication number: 20060026088
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stocks channel and a news channel to a user on a mobile device. Stocks based content associated with a stocks channel and news content associated with the news channel is automatically delivered and stored on a mobile electronic device for access by a user. Using the device, users can quickly access the stock and news information without having to type in information, or specifically request the information to be downloaded to the device. The stock channel and the news channel provides a quicker and less cumbersome way of accessing stock and news information than having to access a web site, a television, a radio station, or a telephone service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joel Grossman, Kent Skinner, Albert Tan, Yingli Wang, Roger Miller, Paul VanderSpek, Keith Curtis, Dane Howard, James Cooley
  • Publication number: 20050041667
    Abstract: The present invention provides a calendar channel that provides a user of a mobile electronic device simple access to calendar information. The user may customize the calendar content they receive on their devices. While using the calendar channel, users automatically receive broadcast calendar information, including event and appointment information. Example modes include: appointments view, event view, and month view. The appointment view mode is organized to display appointment information on the electronic device. The event view mode is arranged to display event information that is organized according to a day list format. The month view mode displays the days of the month. The calendar channel is synchronized and customized by the user from a single user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Miller, Burdette Holtgrewe, Albert Tan, Dane Howard, Paul VanderSpek, James Cooley, Keith Curtis