Patents by Inventor Dugald R. Hutchings

Dugald R. Hutchings 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: 9671922
    Abstract: Some examples relate to facilitating multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A scaling component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function their location of the display space. Some implementations provide for interaction technique(s) and user interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface. Further, some examples define a central focus area, such that the display objects are displayed and behave as usual. Also included is a periphery outside the focus area where the display objects are reduced in size based on their location, getting smaller as the display objects near an edge of the display surface with many more objects visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, Dugald R. Hutchings, Brian R. Meyers, Gregory R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8225224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to facilitating multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A sealing component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function of their location of the display space. The subject invention provides for interaction technique(s) and other interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface. One aspect defines a central focus area, such that the display objects are displayed and behave as usual. Also included as a periphery outside the focus area where the display objects are reduced in size based on their location, getting smaller as the display objects near an edge of the display surface with many more objects visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, Dugald R. Hutchings, Brian R. Meyers, Gregory R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7624354
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently managing desktop content is presented. A plurality of content groups are defined on a computer system. Upon activating the content management system on the computer, representative views are displayed on an associated display device. Each representative view corresponds to a defined content group, and also corresponds to a key on an input device. The system obtains a management action to be completed on the displayed content and further obtains a keypress corresponding to one of the representative views (and its corresponding content group.) The system identifies the content group corresponding to the keypress and carries out the management action on the display content of that content group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mary P Czerwinski, Dugald R Hutchings, II, Daniel C Robbins, George G Robertson, Brian R Meyers, Gregory R Smith