Patents by Inventor David A. Switzer

David A. Switzer 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: 20140240141
    Abstract: A telemetry system with a plurality of controllers and telemetry systems, where the controllers are configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER, Jili LIU, Justin C. LOGAN
  • Publication number: 20140150544
    Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a locking mechanism with a bore of a drill string section. The probe comprises a first spider and a second spider at the uphole and downhole sections of the probe. The locking mechanism secures the probes in the bore against axial and rotational movement relative the drill string section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer
  • Patent number: 8634274
    Abstract: A spindle for a mud pulse telemetry tool includes a seal section having an outer surface for contacting a lip seal of a spindle housing in which the spindle is mounted; a top section attachable to at least part of a valve assembly for generating mud pulses; and a base section having a proximal end attachable to a drive motor for moving the spindle and a distal end attachable to the top section such that the annular seal is fixed between the top and base sections. The seal section can be made of a ceramic material such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Camwell, David A. Switzer, Anthony R. Dopf, Laura C. Neels-Slingerland
  • Patent number: 8381133
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide context menus useful in, e.g., a computing device receiving user input via a stylus. Icons representing actions performable on an object are displayed in a context menu for the object. Additional aspects of the invention include cascading menus that also minimize hand and/or wrist motion, as well as placement of menus based on user handedness and/or stylus orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Marieke Iwema, Leroy B. Keely, David Switzer
  • Publication number: 20120222899
    Abstract: A spindle for a mud pulse telemetry tool includes a seal section having an outer surface for contacting a lip seal of a spindle housing in which the spindle is mounted; a top section attachable to at least part of a valve assembly for generating mud pulses; and a base section having a proximal end attachable to a drive motor for moving the spindle and a distal end attachable to the top section such that the annular seal is fixed between the top and base sections. The seal section can be made of a ceramic material such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Paul L. Camwell, David A. Switzer, Anthony R. Dopf, Laura C. Neels-Slingerland
  • Patent number: 8174929
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a spindle for a mud pulse telemetry tool. The spindle includes a seal section having an outer surface for contacting a lip seal of a spindle housing in which the spindle is mounted; a top section attachable to at least part of a valve assembly for generating mud pulses; and a base section having a proximal end attachable to a drive motor for moving the spindle and a distal end attachable to the top section such that the seal section is fixed between the top and base sections. The seal section can be made of a ceramic material such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Camwell, David A. Switzer, Anthony R. Dopf, Laura C. Neels-Slingerland
  • Publication number: 20110185277
    Abstract: A system and method for inserting space is described. A user may designate content to be inserted into a document and have the system insert space to accommodate the new content. The system and method permit some content to overlie other content as may be intended by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dan Altman, David Switzer, Christopher Michael Shelley, Richard Grutzmacher
  • Patent number: 7945855
    Abstract: A system and method for inserting space is described. A user may designate content to be inserted into a document and have the system insert space to accommodate the new content. The system and method permit some content to overlie other content as may be intended by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Altman, David Switzer, Christopher Michael Shelley, Richard Grutzmacher
  • Patent number: 7895590
    Abstract: An update at shutdown process is disclosed that installs software updates on a computer during the computer's shutdown procedures. On a computing device with an automated shutdown procedure, during the shutdown procedure an update at shutdown process is executed. The update at shutdown process evaluates whether any software updates are currently stored, or are locally available, on the computing device. If there are software updates to be installed, a further evaluation determines whether any of the software updates may be installed without any user interaction. Accordingly, each downloaded/locally available software update that is identified as being installable without user interaction, is installed during the shutdown procedure, thus minimizing the impact that the software updates have on the computer user's use time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary S Henderson, David Switzer, Chung Yiu Chow, Cristian Marius Ilac, Cathelijne Bertels, Richard J Swaney
  • Patent number: 7810042
    Abstract: Graphical user interfaces for computer display devices include a page bar control element that allows a user to easily and quickly navigate among the pages of a multiple page electronic document and/or among the pages of a plurality of electronic documents. In some examples, the page bar control element displayed on the computer system provides a visual representation of a multiple pages of the document(s), wherein the visual representation includes several tabs or markers, each marker representing one or more pages of the document(s). In some examples, the markers are rendered in colors that enable quick identification of the current page and/or the page being viewed as well as pages viewed in a riffling action. The page bar control element also may include a visual “flag” that helps users quickly locate text that they have previously flagged or that the system has automatically flagged for them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy B. Keely, David Switzer, Shawna Swanson, Kevin P. Paulson, Tamara Stephas
  • Patent number: 7797639
    Abstract: Graphical user interfaces for computer display devices include a page bar control element that allows a user to easily and quickly navigate among the pages of a multiple page electronic document and/or among the pages of a plurality of electronic documents. In some examples, the page bar control element displayed on the computer system provides a visual representation of a multiple pages of the document(s), wherein the visual representation includes several tabs or markers, each marker representing one or more pages of the document(s). In some examples, the markers are rendered in colors that enable quick identification of the current page and/or the page being viewed as well as pages viewed in a riffling action. The page bar control element also may include a visual “flag” that helps users quickly locate text that they have previously flagged or that the system has automatically flagged for them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy B. Keely, David Switzer, Shawna Swanson, Kevin P. Paulson, Tamara Stephas
  • Patent number: 7788474
    Abstract: A user interface and scheme is provided for facilitating shutting down an operating system. Aspects include the operating system receiving a command to initiate shut down, and automatically terminating graphical user interface (GUI) applications that delay shut down which do not have top level windows. Also, aspects provide a user, through a graphical user interface, the ability to automatically terminate all running applications in response to determining that a running GUI application has a top level window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Switzer, Huat Chye Lim, Lisa A. Osse, William Mak, HyunSuk Kim
  • Patent number: 7756980
    Abstract: Described is a system and method that use the concept of channels by which computer users select an appropriate set of network settings maintained in the computer system for a particular network. Upon selection, the corresponding settings are automatically applied by the system. A channel manager manages sets of network settings for various networks, including ad hoc networks, wherein each set contains the information that is necessary to connect to a network. A user interface allows selection of a channel, e.g., via a friendly name. The network settings may be stored in files to allow users to easily copy settings. Complex channels are capable of connecting to different networks at different times in a priority ordering, depending on network availability. The channel manager is able to determine the current channel from current network settings. Metadata may be received and displayed in conjunction with the channel-related user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Bernstein, David Switzer, Daniel J. Polivy, Bhrighu Sareen
  • Publication number: 20090309849
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide context menus useful in, e.g., a computing device receiving user input via a stylus. Icons representing actions performable on an object are displayed in a context menu for the object. Additional aspects of the invention include cascading menus that also minimize hand and/or wrist motion, as well as placement of menus based on user handedness and/or stylus orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marieke Iwema, Leroy B. Keely, David Switzer
  • Patent number: 7581194
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide context menus useful in, e.g., a computing device receiving user input via a stylus. Icons representing actions performable on an object are displayed in a context menu for the object. Additional aspects of the invention include cascading menus that also minimize hand and/or wrist motion, as well as placement of menus based on user handedness and/or stylus orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Marieke Iwema, Leroy B. Keely, David Switzer
  • Publication number: 20090038851
    Abstract: A spindle for a mud pulse telemetry tool includes a seal section having an outer surface for contacting a lip seal of a spindle housing in which the spindle is mounted; a top section attachable to at least part of a valve assembly for generating mud pulses; and a base section having a proximal end attachable to a drive motor for moving the spindle and a distal end attachable to the top section such that the annular seal is fixed between the top and base sections. The seal section can be made of a ceramic material such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Paul L. Camwell, David A. Switzer, Anthony R. Dopf, Laura C. Neels-Slingerland
  • Patent number: 7454699
    Abstract: A system and method for inserting content is described. A user may designate content to be inserted into a document and have the content inserted into the document at either a designed location or, by determining the content associated with a receiving page, the system may select a location on the receiving page. The user may further choose various options including shrinking the new content to fit the page and/or may choose to have the existing content shifted to make room for the new content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Altman, David Switzer, Christopher Michael Shelley, Richard Grutzmacher
  • Patent number: 7433324
    Abstract: A system and method for creating an ad-hoc network is described. A user may navigate a number of options to create an ad-hoc network and/or join an ad-hoc network using the described system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Switzer, Kamesh C. Tumsi Dayakar, Michael S. Bernstein, Ravipal S. Soin
  • Patent number: 7418137
    Abstract: A user interface allows a user to input handwritten, key-press, and spoken text in a seamless, synchronized manner. A text input panel accepts soft keyboard presses and handwritten words, characters, and gestures. A text recognizer/synchronizer integrates textual input from various sources while recognizing and preserving the order in which a user entered text via the soft keyboard, via handwriting, and/or by speaking. Synchronized text may be displayed in a stage area of the text input panel before being passed to an operating system message router and/or an application program. While in handwriting recognition mode, various permutations and combinations of a word recognition area, a character recognition area, and a keybar/keypad may optionally be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charlton E Lui, Charles P Thacker, James E Mathews, Leroy B Keely, David Switzer, William H Vong, Butler W Lampson
  • Patent number: 7389434
    Abstract: A method of controlling power management is provided. In an embodiment, the user provides feedback that the inactivity period before a display blanks is too short. In response to the user feedback, a behavior tracking mode is entered and the inactivity period is adjusted to a period that is more suitable to the user's needs. In an embodiment, the adjustment may be done through incrementing a counter and changing the inactivity period based on the value of the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Switzer, Geralyn M. Miller, Issa Y. Khoury, Matthew H. Holle, Michael S. Bernstein, Ross N. Luengen