Patents by Inventor David Howell

David Howell 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: 20090049094
    Abstract: A system and method for performing site audits on facilities may include an electronic display configured to display facility information associated with a facility being site audited. A storage unit may be configured to store the facility information. The facility information may include a graphical representation of the facility. A processing unit may be configured to load the graphical representation of the facility and display the graphical representation on the electronic display. The processing unit may further be configured to receive site audit information of a deficiency of the facility from a user in response to the user selecting a location on the graphical representation of the facility being displayed on the electronic display to indicate a location of the deficiency at the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Clark David Howell, Joe Paul Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090048950
    Abstract: A system and method for managing site audit information may include a storage unit and a data repository stored on the storage unit. The data repository may be configured to store site audit information that includes site audit information of multiple facilities. A processing unit may be in communication with the storage unit and be configured to aggregate the site audit information stored in the data repository. A user interface may be configured to display the aggregated site audit information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Clark David Howell, Joe Paul Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090048856
    Abstract: A system and method for managing vendor information to repair deficiencies at facilities may include storing vendor information of vendors. The vendor information may identify one or more deficiencies of which at least one of the vendors is capable of repairing. Site audit information of one or more facilities may be aggregated. Vendor information of one or more vendors capable of repairing a deficiency at the facilities may be displayed to enable selection of one or more vendors for repairing the deficiency at a facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Clark David Howell, Joe Paul Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090048949
    Abstract: A system and method for managing site audit information may include a storage unit configured to store site audit information. The site audit information may include a deficiency identifier of a facility and include at least one photograph of the deficiency. A processing unit may be in communication with the storage unit, and be configured to manage the site audit information stored in the storage unit. The processing unit may further be configured to display the photograph(s) of the deficiency in response to receiving a request for information about the deficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Clark David Howell, Joe Paul Robertson
  • Patent number: 7483041
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for presenting computer-generated characters. The method defines several frames for a character and sequentially presents the frames. Each frame depicts a particular representation of the character. Also, at least two of the frames provide different representations of the character. Some embodiments provide a method for applying effects to computer-generated characters. This method applies an effect to the computer-generated characters by first generating an effect script. It then selects the generated effect script to apply to the computer-generated characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Langmacher, Mary E. Massey, David Howell
  • Publication number: 20080172681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metering the presentation of computer-based media presentation are disclosed. An example disclosed method performed by a computer that is configured to execute an operating system and a media presentation program comprises modifying the media presentation program to re-direct a function call made to the operating system by the media presentation program, and processing the re-directed function call to determine media presentation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: James Lawrence Donald, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20080128992
    Abstract: An improved playing card is provided. In one embodiment, on each of the four corners of the face of a standard playing card is provided the rank and suit of the card in a font size that is relatively small compared to the font size of the rank and suit that appears elsewhere prominently on the face of the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Dane Howell, Mace David Howell
  • Publication number: 20080127253
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting on-screen media sources are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a region of interest of a video signal for a first image, comparing the first image to a stored image, and confirming the media device change when the stored image differs from the first image and is associated with a secondary criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Min Zhang, David Howell Wright, Scott Cooper, Regina Dykstra, Arun Ramaswamy, Daniel Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080114594
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and system for providing VoIP clients with the ability to confirm accuracy in conversation data over a digital communication channel. More specifically, a method and system is provided for verifying, via a visual representation whether a receiving client captures accurate information from a particular portion of the digital voice conversation. In response to a triggering event, a visual representation, including information extracted from the particular portion of the digital voice conversation, may be generated for verifying the accuracy. Based on the needs of the clients engaging in the conversation, one or more visual representations and corresponding verifications can be exchanged. In this manner, a multi-tiered oral agreement with authentication may be generated over a digital communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Linda Criddle, David Milstein, Lon-Chan Chu, Kuansan Wang, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20070280434
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at software for processing a received voicemail message to provide enhanced features in a voicemail system. In one embodiment, a user interface is provided where a callee may generate events to modify audio attributes of a received voicemail message. When an event to modify the audio attributes of the received voicemail message is received, aspects of the present invention obtain a set of event data that describes input generated by the callee. Then, a media player program is used to modify attributes of the data packets in the voicemail message in accordance with the input received from the callee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Howell, David Milstein, Linda Criddle, Philip A. Chou
  • Publication number: 20070280433
    Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the present invention are directed at software systems for responding to a received voicemail message. In one embodiment, a selection user interface is provided where a primary callee may generate an event to create a draft voicemail message that is related to a received voicemail message. In response to receiving an event from the selection user interface to create a draft voicemail message, aspects of the present invention (1) create an electronic file to store the draft voicemail message, and (2) insert metadata into the electronic file that defines the relationship between the draft voicemail message and the received voicemail message. As a result, a callee may easily create a draft voicemail message that is related to a received voicemail message and have the draft voicemail message automatically populated with contextual data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, David A. Howell, Kuansan Wang, Linda Criddle, Lon-Chan Chu, Michael D. Malueg
  • Publication number: 20070280204
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting and communicating contextual information relating to a VoIP conversation is provided. Structured hierarchies are utilized for efficient communications of various amounts and types of contextual information relating to a VoIP conversation. Information identifying at least one structured hierarchy, which will be used to carry the contextual information, is transmitted during establishment of a conversation between two VoIP enhanced devices. The structured hierarchy is selected from a set of predefined and declared structured hierarchies. Subsequently transmitted contextual information exchanged between two VoIP enhanced devices is represented in accordance with the identified structural hierarchy. VoIP clients, network infrastructure, and various service providers can collect the contextual information based on the identified structured hierarchy, update the contextual information by adding, deleting and/or modifying the contextual data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Howell, David Milstein, Kuansan Wang, Linda Criddle, Michael D. Malueg, Philip A. Chou, Scott C. Forbes, Timothy M. Moore
  • Publication number: 20070280205
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to software that allows a callee to access and filter data related to a voicemail message. In accordance with one embodiment, searchable index key(s) are identified that are associated with a selected voicemail message. Then, a search is performed to identify data that is related to the selected voicemail message using the index key(s). Once the search is performed, a user interface is presented that references data identified as being related to the voicemail message. As a result, a callee may easily access and review data related to a voicemail message without being required to use multiple software applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Howell, Linda Criddle, David Milstein, Lon-Chan Chu, Michael D. Malueg
  • Publication number: 20070263607
    Abstract: Structured hierarchies for communicating contextual information relating to a VoIP conversation are provided. The structured hierarchies are utilized for efficient communications of various amounts and types of contextual information over a VoIP conversation channel. Information identifying at least one structured hierarchy, which will be used to carry the contextual information, is transmitted during establishment of a conversation between two VoIP enhanced devices and prior to the exchange of contextual information. The structural hierarchy is selected from a set of predefined and declared structured hierarchies. Subsequently transmitted contextual information exchanged between two VoIP enhanced devices is represented in accordance with the identified structural hierarchy. Additionally, the structural hierarchies can be extensible by the addition of more definitions to the current structural hierarchies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, David Howell, Linda Criddle, Michael Malueg, Philip Chou
  • Patent number: 7289159
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for capturing and automatically formatting video signals in both synchronized and deflection driven forms in which a single real-time capture module is provided including three input channels for receiving the video signals, three analog to digital converters for processing the video signals and three dynamic memories. Data from the converters is stored in the three dynamic memories. A line location look-up table is generated during the storage of data which holds the starting address of the stored lines of synchronized video. A video signal is then generated by addressing the line location look-up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Testing Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Biagiotti, David Howell
  • Publication number: 20070242136
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for capturing and automatically formatting video signals in both synchronized and deflection driven forms in which a single real-time capture module is provided including three input channels for receiving the video signals, three analog to digital converters for processing the video signals and three dynamic memories. Data from the converters is stored in the three dynamic memories. A line location look-up table is generated during the storage of data which holds the starting address of the stored lines of synchronized video. A video signal is then generated by addressing the line location look-up table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: William Biagiotti, David Howell
  • Publication number: 20070239685
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting contextual information in order to provide a requested service is provided. A service provider and a user may exchange a conversation and/or contextual information relating to a service over a communication channel. Based on the received user contextual information, the server may determine an appropriate source for obtaining more information relating to the requested service from the user. The server contacts the appropriate source and obtains information from it. Additionally, the server identifies the user interfaces for collecting more information relating to the requested service from the user. The server may transmit a set of contextual information, such as embedded instructions for invoking the user interfaces on a user's device, over the communication channel. While the user interacts with the user interfaces, new user's contextual information may be obtained by the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Howell, David Milstein, Kuansan Wang, Linda Criddle, Michael Malueg, Scott Forbes, Gursharan Sidhu
  • Publication number: 20070239428
    Abstract: A method and system for processing contextual information relating to an exchange of a conversation over a communication channel is provided. Several users, and/or service providers are allowed to specify a set of rules relating to a conversation channel. Contextual information, including information relating to the specified set of rules and conditions of the users, is exchanged among the users and/or several service providers when one user requests to initiate a communication channel. The received contextual information is processed to extract a set of rules and the current conditions of users. If the current conditions of the users satisfy the set of rules, a corresponding communication channel is established among the users. However, additional contextual information may be received and processed whenever there is a change in the contextual information during the conversation. Appropriate actions to the existing communication channel may be determined based on the changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, David Howell, Kuansan Wang, Linda Criddle, Michael Malueg, Philip Chou, Scott Forbes, Timothy Moore
  • Publication number: 20070237130
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at obtaining contextual information with a voicemail message. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that obtains additional contextual information that is not obtained automatically when a voicemail message is received. More specifically, the method includes automatically obtaining a first set of contextual information from a client associated with the caller when the caller is transferred to a voicemail system. Then a determination is made regarding whether the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained. If the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained, the requested information is obtained from a third-party service or by prompting the caller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, David Howell, Linda Criddle, Philip Chou, Timothy Moore
  • Publication number: 20070237131
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting and providing required information to a VoIP client or other service providers is provided. The inquiry for information will be received and processed to identify appropriate contextual information which will be transmitted to the information inquiring party. For example, an inquiry for location information of the VoIP client may be received and the contextual information relating to the location of the VoIP client is collected and provided. Upon identifying the appropriate contextual information, a source suitable for providing the appropriate contextual information is determined. By utilizing various paths, the appropriate contextual information is obtained from the source. The obtained appropriate contextual information is provided to the VoIP client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Milstein, David Howell, Kuansan Wang, Linda Criddle, Michael Malueg, Lon-Chan Chu