Patents by Inventor Darren A. Apfel
Darren A. Apfel 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: 10996833Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Publication number: 20200326833Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Patent number: 10671256Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Publication number: 20190346993Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Patent number: 10394433Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Publication number: 20180239518Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Patent number: 9977575Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Patent number: 9628755Abstract: A system for automatically tracking movement of a user participating in a video chat application executing in a computing device is disclosed. A capture device connected to the computing device captures a user in a field of view of the capture device and identifies a sub-frame of pixels identifying a position of the head, neck and shoulders of the user in a capture frame of a capture area. The sub-frame of pixels is displayed to a remote user at a remote computing system who is participating in the video chat application with the user. The capture device automatically tracks the position of the head, neck and shoulders of the user as the user moves to a next location within the capture area. A next sub-frame of pixels identifying a position of the head, neck and shoulders of the user in the next location is identified and displayed to the remote user at the remote computing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Brian McDowell, Darren Apfel
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Patent number: 9602611Abstract: This document describes tools capable of differentiating a superset of entities from which a user may receive current updates effective to provide current updates for only some of the entities of the superset. In one embodiment, for example, the tools enable a user of a mobile device to select a set of entities from which the user will automatically receive updates that are current, easily accessible, and visible at-a-glance. The tools may forgo providing current updates for entities that are not selected by the user, though the tools may provide these updates when explicitly requested by the user or at particular times or events.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Darren A. Apfel, Jon Friedman, Justin Michael Maguire, Matthew James Schoenholz, Rosanna H. Ho, Keith L. Rowe, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter A. Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Patent number: 9172789Abstract: Contextual search by a mobile communications device is described. In an implementation, a search query is a received and a context is detected of a user interface currently being displayed on a display device of a mobile communication device. One or more search results are displayed on a display device of a search performed in the detected context using the search query.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Rovi Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael J. Kruzeniski, Darren A. Apfel, Jonathan D. Friedman, Kathleen W. Holmes, David Henry Wykes
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Publication number: 20150040057Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Publication number: 20150026157Abstract: Contextual search by a mobile communications device is described. In an implementation, a search query is a received and a context is detected of a user interface currently being displayed on a display device of a mobile communication device. One or more search results are displayed on a display device of a search performed in the detected context using the search query.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Michael J. Kruzeniski, Darren A. Apfel, Jonathan D. Friedman, Kathleen W. Holmes, David Henry Wykes
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Patent number: 8914072Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Patent number: 8825699Abstract: Contextual search by a mobile communications device is described. In an implementation, a search query is a received and a context is detected of a user interface currently being displayed on a display device of a mobile communications device. One or more search results are displayed on a display device of a search performed in the detected context using the search query.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: ROVI CorporationInventors: Michael J. Kruzeniski, Darren A. Apfel, Jonathan D. Friedman, Kathleen W. Holmes, David Henry Wykes
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Patent number: 8667533Abstract: Streaming content customization techniques are described. In an implementation, metadata, that is associated with an element, is synchronized with a stream of content that includes the element. The element is configured to accept an input to access related content that provides context for a scene that includes the element. After the related content is output, playback of the stream of content is resumed from the point at which the input was accepted to access the related content.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren A. Apfel, Brian C. McDowell, Paolo V. Malabuyo, Mark J. Weinberg
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Patent number: 8639229Abstract: This document describes tools capable of enabling users of mobile communication devices to create communication groups quickly and easily. With such a communication group a user may call, text, or instant message all persons in the group at once by selecting the communication group rather than each person in the group. In one embodiment, the tools enable a user to build a communication group by dragging and dropping indicators for persons he or she knows from one area of a screen into another area. In another embodiment, the tools automatically collect persons from those that the user knows based on one or more criteria. The user may then easily create a communication group of those collected persons, such as by tapping on an area of a mobile device's display.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren A. Apfel, Jon Friedman, Keith L. Rowe, Rosanna H. Ho, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter A. Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Patent number: 8385952Abstract: A mobile communications device user interface is described. In an implementation, a method is implemented by a mobile communications device that includes outputting a user interface having a portion that is configured to accept content. When an option is selected in relation to the portion to initiate a communication and the content includes one or more contacts, the communication is formed that includes the content and is automatically addressed to the one or more contacts.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jonathan D. Friedman, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Brian M. Wilson, Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Nell H. Hoffman
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Publication number: 20120254765Abstract: This document describes tools capable of differentiating a superset of entities from which a user may receive current updates effective to provide current updates for only some of the entities of the superset. In one embodiment, for example, the tools enable a user of a mobile device to select a set of entities from which the user will automatically receive updates that are current, easily accessible, and visible at-a-glance. The tools may forgo providing current updates for entities that are not selected by the user, though the tools may provide these updates when explicitly requested by the user or at particular times or events.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren A. Apfel, Jon Friedman, Justin Michael Maguire, Matthew James Schoenholz, Rosanna H. Ho, Keith L. Rowe, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter A. Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke
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Publication number: 20120179992Abstract: Techniques are described to implement a user interface for a display of a mobile device. In an implementation, the user interface may include a chromeless menu configured to be displayed when menu-based user input to the mobile device is available; a system tray configured to be displayed on the display when a notice containing status information affecting operability of the mobile device is available; and a task switcher module operable to cause a chromeless overlay be displayed over an active application being executed by the mobile device to allow selection of one or more applications of the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael A. Smuga, Darren A. Apfel, Jason S. Schneekloth, Ryan M. Haning, Michael J. Kruzeniski, Michael K. Henderlight, Brian M. Wilson, Paula Guntaur, Chad A. Voss
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Patent number: 8214464Abstract: This document describes tools capable of differentiating a superset of entities from which a user may receive current updates effective to provide current updates for only some of the entities of the superset. In one embodiment, for example, the tools enable a user of a mobile device to select a set of entities from which the user will automatically receive updates that are current, easily accessible, and visible at-a-glance. The tools may forgo providing current updates for entities that are not selected by the user, though the tools may provide these updates when explicitly requested by the user or at particular times or events.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren A. Apfel, Jon Friedman, Justin Michael Maguire, Matthew James Schoenholz, Rosanna H. Ho, Keith L. Rowe, Sandra I. Vargas, Peter A. Bernard, Matthew Justin Von Bencke