Patents by Inventor David Wm. Plummer

David Wm. Plummer 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).

  • Patent number: 6898765
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6724405
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6469721
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20020085042
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: JOSEPH H. MATTHEWS, DAVID WM. PLUMMER, DAVID A. BARNES
  • Publication number: 20020080154
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: JOSEPH H. MATTHEWS,III, DAVID WM. PLUMMER, DAVID A. BARNES
  • Publication number: 20020027571
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6344865
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6313851
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6266059
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for switching between application modes is disclosed. The computer system for operating in one of two display modes of operation comprises a storage storing at least one application which is operable in a first display mode and second display mode, wherein a displayed menu of the application in the first display mode includes first menu options operable from a keyboard and a displayed menu of the application in the second display mode includes second menu options operable from a remote control device; a display device for displaying said menu options; a receiving device for receiving input from a user comprising a request for a menu; a processor for alerting the application in which display mode the processor is currently operating, for retrieving menu options appropriate for at least one of the first and second display modes, and for controlling the display device to display the first display menu options or the second menu options in accordance with the current display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6028604
    Abstract: A user friendly remote interface system which provides previews in a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Upon highlighting a selection on a menu, the system accesses and displays a description of the selection stored apart from the selection without having to retrieve into memory the entire application corresponding to a selection. The description may include text, audio, and video descriptions of the selection. Further, the description may be independent from the content contained within the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes