Patents by Inventor Eric Watson

Eric Watson 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: 20170167886
    Abstract: Described herein is technology for, on a computer, facilitating interaction with a user utilizing a dynamic map displayed on a display device. A computer receives a use indication that the user has recently used an application on a computing device associated with the user, e.g., a mobile device, with the use indication including the location of the user. Then, a graphic is displayed on the dynamic map representing the user's location. The computer then receives a selection indication that the graphic has been selected, e.g., a person chooses a particular graphic to interact with. Then, based on the selection indication, the computer initiates an interaction with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Brandon LUCAS, Martez MOORE, Rick GRIMES, Eric WATSON
  • Patent number: 8888931
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided having a wash chamber that is supplied with wash water by a water circulation pump assembly. The pump assembly has a motor, an inlet in fluid communication with a sump, and an outlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber. A macerator system is configured with the pump assembly and includes a filter screen disposed across the inlet and a chopper blade rotationally driven by the pump assembly at a defined axial distance upstream from the filter screen. The chopper blade is biased by materials in magnetic flux communication to the defined axial distance so as to maintain the defined distance in a running and stopped states of the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Watson, Errin Gnadinger, Meher Prasadu Kollipara
  • Publication number: 20130263000
    Abstract: Described herein is technology for, on a computer, facilitating interaction with a user utilizing a dynamic map displayed on a display device. A computer receives a use indication that the user has recently used an application on a computing device associated with the user, e.g., a mobile device, with the use indication including the location of the user. Then, a graphic is displayed on the dynamic map representing the user's location. The computer then receives a selection indication that the graphic has been selected, e.g., a person chooses a particular graphic to interact with. Then, based on the selection indication, the computer initiates an interaction with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: VIACOM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Lucas, Martez Moore, Rick Grimes, Eric Watson
  • Patent number: 8239377
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention leverage search query result page thumbnails and search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one embodiment of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a tool to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another embodiment of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Brett D. Brewer, Eric Watson, Eddie L. Mays, III, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20120145203
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided having a wash chamber that is supplied with wash water by a water circulation pump assembly. The pump assembly has a motor, an inlet in fluid communication with a sump, and an outlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber. A macerator system is configured with the pump assembly and includes a filter screen disposed across the inlet and a chopper blade rotationally driven by the pump assembly at a defined axial distance upstream from the filter screen. The chopper blade is biased by materials in magnetic flux communication to the defined axial distance so as to maintain the defined distance in a running and stopped states of the pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Watson, Errin Gnadinger, Meher Prasadu Kollipara
  • Patent number: 7953631
    Abstract: The subject invention provides for systems and methods that visually enhance paid inclusion listings to facilitate offering a clear and substantial value to paid inclusion advertisers while retaining ordering rights to keep listings relevant to users. More specifically, the systems and methods allow paid inclusion listings to be visually modified at the discretion of the advertiser, the user, and/or the search service provider (e.g., publisher of search results) to facilitate differentiation among advertisers, companies, and the like. The ordering of the enhanced paid inclusion listings is not compromised based on the number or type of enhancement selected by the paid inclusion customer. A search service provider or search result publisher (“service provider”) can offer a plurality, or at least one, of different types of enhancements to paid inclusion customers (“advertisers”) to affect the rendering of any paid inclusion listing to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Moss, Eric Watson, Eytan D. Seidman
  • Patent number: 7937340
    Abstract: Context-based user behavior data is collected from a search mechanism. This data includes, for a given query, user feedback (implicit and explicit) on the query and context information on the query. A predictive pattern is applied to the context-based user behavior data in order to produce predicted user satisfaction data. Data mining techniques may be used to create and improve one or more predictive patterns. Predicted user satisfaction data can be used to monitor or improve search mechanism performance, via a display reporting the performance or identification of any queries with a shared characteristic and sub-par user satisfaction. A dynamically-improving search mechanism uses the predicted user satisfaction data to improve the performance of the search mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Eric Watson, Susan T. Dumais
  • Publication number: 20100223257
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention leverage search query result page thumbnails and search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one embodiment of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a tool to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another embodiment of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: NATASA MILIC-FRAYLING, Brett D. Brewer, Eric Watson, Eddie L. Mays, III, Ralph Sommerer
  • Patent number: 7747611
    Abstract: The present invention leverages search query result page thumbnails and/or search query result link content evaluations to provide user-dependent enhanced search query results. This provides a simplified means to inform a user of the relevancy of search query results based on the user's preferences, environment, and/or profile, etc. The present invention allows a user to more adequately determine the value of the search query result via search query result indicators within the thumbnail and/or in the proximity of a displayed result link. In one instance of the present invention, a thumbnail of a query result link is automatically displayed when the link is selected. This provides a means to view an entire search result page, eliminating the necessity of scrolling through each page to find relevant search terms. In another instance of the present invention, indicators are utilized to inform a user of the content of a search result link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Natasa Milic-Frayling, Brett D. Brewer, Eric Watson, Eddie L. Mays, III, Ralph Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20100092625
    Abstract: A cooking appliance comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one of a cooking cavity having a heating element and a cooking surface having a surface heating element. A controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the cooking appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively delay, adjust and disable at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the cooking appliance in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Brian M. Steurer, Derrick Douglas Little, Ashley Wayne Burt, Patrick Ryan Cox, Craig Nold, Jeff Donald Drake, Jeremy Joseph Ryan, Darin Franks, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric Watson, Jeffrey S. Weber
  • Publication number: 20100039762
    Abstract: A method and device for a powered wall-mount illuminated media display and data transfer system is disclosed. The powered wall-mounted illuminated media display and data transfer system has a decorative glass top held by a wall mounted bracket. The powered display and data transfer system has a powered section in the front hinged connected to the bracket at a pivot point The glass section extends across the horizontal plane of the system, and this allows the system to hold multiple media devices. The wall-mounting bracket will hold the weight of the glass and several handheld devices while allowing its powered section to pivot. The powered section powers and stores all power cables while allowing multiple data transfer cables to connect and send signals through connecting cables or other wireless signals. The powered section conceals all wires and has color-coded connecting points to provide ease of access to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Eric Watson
  • Publication number: 20090094552
    Abstract: A guided transition user interface may be used to transition from a first user interface to a second user interface. The guided transition user interface may include a representation of the second user interface as well as a description of a task to perform from the first user interface. The guided transition user interface may include a graphical image of the second user interface with annotated or highlighted areas that are related to the task. The guided transition user interface may be used for transitioning between areas of one application, transitioning between applications, and transitioning between interacting with different computing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Watson, Krishna Sunkammurali, Kenneth P. Coleman
  • Patent number: 7472113
    Abstract: Front end preprocessing modifies queries to get them in better form for presentation to a variety of data sources. The queries are modified by grouping terms as phrases, correcting spelling errors, and augmenting the query with category terms that trigger query execution on certain data sources. Context information about a particular user as well as information about previous queries by other uses are also used to modify the query to better reflect the user's intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Watson, Marcelo Calbucci, Sally Salas, Darren Shakib
  • Publication number: 20080159907
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cabinet defining a chamber, a drawer slidably positioned within the chamber and movable between an open position and a closed position, the drawer defining a compartment configured to receive a load, in the closed position the drawer coupled to the cabinet and restricting air flow exiting the cabinet. The apparatus includes an ozone generator configured to selectively generate ozone into the compartment, an ozone conversion device configured to selectively convert ozone to oxygen, and a sensor configured to detect a level of ozone within the compartment and generate a signal representative of the level of ozone. A controller is operatively coupled to the ozone generator, the ozone conversion device and the sensor, and is configured to activate one of the ozone generator and the ozone conversion device in response to a signal received from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Anand G. Joshi, Martin Zentner, Eric Watson, Shrikant Basurtekar, Martin Nicholas Austin
  • Publication number: 20070266133
    Abstract: Tasks for managing a network can be displayed in a priority task list. Tasks can be selected for inclusion based on rules, such as rules relating to best practices. The rules can be applied against network status, usage status, user profiles, and the like. Upon selection of a user interface element in the priority task list, an appropriate user interface for accomplishing the task can be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mai-Ian Bukovec, Eric Watson, Gary Purchase
  • Publication number: 20070245261
    Abstract: Multiple options, techniques, and procedures can be provided for navigating, accessing, and displaying tasks, task templates, or instances of task templates. Two options can be presented for navigating to a task template using a user interface. One option can comprise selecting a task from a contextual task list, and the other option can comprise selecting a context-free task. A user can visually switch between two procedures for providing access to a task template. A first procedure can comprise invoking the task template by selecting a task from a context-free task list. A second procedure can comprise invoking the task template by selecting a contextual task from a contextual task list that displayed as a result of a selection of an entity from a topology view. Other techniques for task navigation can comprise displaying a topology view and a contextual task list, and displaying a list of context-free tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mai-lan Bukovec, Eric Watson, Michael LaManna, Erin Bourke-Dunphy, James Harriger
  • Publication number: 20070233854
    Abstract: Management status summaries can be displayed representing conditions of aspects of a computer network. Status information relating to an aspect of a computer network can be obtained from network resources. Status rules can be evaluated based on the obtained status information, and a condition indicator set. A visual representation of the condition indicator, representing the condition of the aspect, can be displayed in a user interface. Status information relating to a plurality of aspects can be obtained from a plurality of network resources, status rules can be evaluated, and a plurality of condition indicators set. Visual representations of the plurality of condition indicators of the plurality of aspects can be displayed. A computer user interface can comprise a first content area displaying visual representations of condition indicators indicating conditions of aspects of a computer network and a second content area displaying details from status information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mai-Ian Bukovec, Eric Watson, Lingan Satkunanathan, Michael Kramer
  • Publication number: 20070233853
    Abstract: User connection information can be displayed. User connection information can represent user connections to a plurality of computer servers of a multi-server system. User connection information can be received from a plurality of computer servers, user details can be obtained, and a representation of the user connection information for the plurality of computer servers can be displayed. Users connected to computer servers can be notified by displaying a representation of user connection information, displaying a user-notification task, receiving a selection of the user notification task, and notifying the users of an event. User connection information can be retrieved and displayed by retrieving user connection information from a plurality computer servers of a multi-server system, storing the retrieved user connection information, and displaying a representation of the user connection information based on the stored user connection information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kanchuki Sarma, Mai-Ian Bukovec, Eric Watson, Ryan Elliott, Eric Kool-Brown
  • Publication number: 20070234346
    Abstract: Computer server installation images can be created by installing and configuring software, such as an operating system and an application, on a computer server with deployment neutral settings and then imaging the server. A plurality of computer servers can be installed using a plurality of computer server installation images. A first server can be installed with a first image, and software installed from the image can be configured with deployment specific settings. A second server can be installed with a second image, and software installed from the image can be configured with deployment specific settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kramer, Brendan Power, Eric Watson, Lee Linden
  • Publication number: 20070234345
    Abstract: Multiple integrated computer servers can be installed. User interfaces can be presented and installation answers received. Servers and software can be installed according to installation answers. An installation answer provided on one server can be used to install other servers. Installation of computer servers can be an automated and distributed process. Decisions can be made to install applications on servers. Configuration settings can be received and used to install applications. A configuration setting can be received on one server and used to install applications on other servers. Computer servers can be installed by asking installation questions and receiving installation answers. Installation decisions can then be made regarding configuring a server. A knowledge base can be consulted and additional installation decisions can be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kramer, Eric Watson, Leszek Mazur, Neil Fishman, Drew Spencer