Patents by Inventor Gary W. Flake

Gary W. Flake 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: 8943420
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can enhance an experience associated with indicia related to a local environment. In particular, the architecture can receive an image that depicts a view of the local environment including a set of entities represented in the image. One or more of the entities can be matched or correlated to modeled entities included in a geospatial model of the environment, potentially based upon location and direction, in order to scope or frame the view depicted in the image to a modeled view. In addition, the architecture can select additional content that can be presented. The additional content typically relates to services or data associated with modeled entities included in the geospatial model or associated with modeled entities included in an image-based data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Flora P. Goldthwaite, Brett D. Brewer, Eric I-Chao Chang, Jonathan C. Cluts, Karim T. Farouki, Gary W. Flake, Janet Galore, Jason Garms, Abhiram G. Khune, Oscar Murillo, Sven Pleyer
  • Publication number: 20150025953
    Abstract: A method embodiment includes receiving data indicative of a person accessing at least one of a first network-available electronic content or a second network-available electronic content, perhaps in a Web 2.0 environment. Also, receiving data indicative of an involvement between the person and a third party. The involvement being independent of the person activating a link to a site owned by the third party that is included in the first network-available electronic content or in the second network available electronic content. Further, assessing a behavioral influence by the first network-available electronic content and/or the second network-available electronic content on the indicated involvement with respect to the possible matters of interest between the person and a third party. Also, facilitating delivery of a benefit to an owner of the first network-available electronic content and/or an owner of the second network-available electronic content in response to the assessed behavioral influence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Alexander G. Gounares, W. Daniel Hillis, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Christopher D. Payne, Richard F. Rashid, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150026679
    Abstract: A computationally-implemented method includes obtaining data from a data source, determining an acceptability of an effect of the data on at least a part of a real machine at least in part via one or more virtual machine representations of the at least a part of the a real machine, and controlling at least one operation of the at least one real machine based on the determining an acceptability of a content of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Richard F. Rashid, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 8874592
    Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to web searches and more particularly toward influencing resultant content to increase relevancy. The resultant content can be influenced by reconfiguring a query and/or filtering results based on user location and/or context information (e.g., user characteristics/profile, prior interaction/usage temporal, current events, and third party state/context . . . ). Furthermore, the disclosure provides for query execution on at least a subset of designated web content, for example as specified by a user. Still further yet, a localized marketing system is disclosed that provides discount offers to users that match merchant criteria including proximity. A system for actively probing populations of users with different parameters and monitoring responses can be employed to collect data for identifying the best discounts and deadlines to offer to users to achieve desired results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Eric J. Horvitz, Joshua T. Goodman, Surajit Chaudhuri, Trenholme J. Griffin, Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Kenneth A. Moss
  • Publication number: 20140254921
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates generating a model from a 3-dimensional (3D) object assembled from 2-dimensional (2D) content. A content aggregator can construct a 3D object from a collection of two or more 2D images each depicting a real entity in a physical real world, wherein the 3D object is constructed by combining the two or more 2D images based upon a respective image perspective. A 3D virtual environment can allow exploration of the 3D object. A model component can extrapolate a true 3D geometric model from the 3D object, wherein the true 3D geometric model is generated to include scaling in proportion to a size within the physical real world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Blaise Aguera Y. Arcas, Brett D. Brewer, Steven M. Drucker, Karim T. Farouki, Gary W. Flake, Stephen Lawler, Donald J. Lindsay, Adam P. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 8831973
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems for rewarding influencers in a Web 2.0 environment. More specifically, in some implementations, a system is configured to assess an influence of an electronically-accessed content on an involvement between an accessor and a third party, and may also be configured to facilitate a reward to one or more influencers based on one or more assessed influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Alexander G. Gounares, W. Daniel Hillis, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Christopher D. Payne, Richard F. Rashid, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8812534
    Abstract: Architecture for completing search queries by using artificial intelligence based schemes to infer search intentions of users. Partial queries are completed dynamically in real time. Additionally, search aliasing can also be employed. Custom tuning can be performed based on at least query inputs in the form of text, graffiti, images, handwriting, voice, audio, and video signals. Natural language processing occurs, along with handwriting recognition and slang recognition. The system includes a classifier that receives a partial query as input, accesses a query database based on contents of the query input, and infers an intended search goal from query information stored on the query database. A query formulation engine receives search information associated with the intended search goal and generates a completed formal query for execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Platt, Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Trenholme J. Griffin, Anoop Gupta, Gary W. Flake, Ramez Naam, Joshua T. Goodman
  • Patent number: 8805720
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate verification or feedback in association with consumer transactions. In particular the architecture can image a transaction receipt, translate the image into text-based data, and extract relevant transaction data there from. Such relevant transaction data can be saved to a data store maintained or supervised by the customer and/or transmitted to authorized components that can benefit from data related to transaction histories, verification, and/or feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, Jeffrey R. Hemmen, Alexander Gounares, David M. Chickering, Eric J. Horvitz, Michael Connolly, Lili Cheng, Kamal Jain, George P. Moromisato
  • Patent number: 8799077
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture or extension to an operating system (or component thereof) that can facilitate extensible themes for or advertising integration with a desktop that is managed by the operating system. In particular, the architecture can acquire advertisement content such as ads or advertiser skins, select suitable content for display, and configure the operating system to display the selected content. The architecture also provides mechanisms for identifying suitable locations as well as appropriate time for displaying the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Alexander G. Gounares, Jeffrey R. Hemmen, Eric J. Horvitz, Kamal Jain, Leonard Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8793155
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system, a device, an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product. A method of reporting influence on a person includes collecting data indicative of the person accessing electronic content over a computer network using the user computing device. The method also includes generating a user influence report by transforming the collected data into information indicative of events associatable with the person accessing the electronic content over a computer network using the user computing device. The method further includes transmitting data indicative of the user influence report via a network, the user influence report being receivable by a site operable to facilitate delivery of a benefit to an owner of the electronic content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Alexander G. Gounares, W. Daniel Hillis, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Christopher D. Payne, Richard F. Rashid, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8793616
    Abstract: A computationally-implemented method comprises retrieving at least a portion of data from a data source, determining an acceptability of an effect of the retrieved at least a portion of the data at least in part via a virtual machine representation of at least a part of an end user's real machine having one or more end-user specified preferences, and providing at least one data display option to the end user's real machine based on the determining acceptability of the effect of the retrieved at least a portion of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Richard F. Rashid, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8788517
    Abstract: Provided is mechanism for guiding computer searches (e.g., web, Internet, intranet . . . ). Machine learning and reasoning mechanisms are employed together with a search engine to facilitate intelligent guidance of queries and results based on a query and responses to computer generated inquires. Also, disclosed is a mechanism that enables users to validate computer-based information. Users can receive a validity metric associated with computer generated or provided results. Validation systems and methods are disclosed to facilitate determining the results including those that employ humans (e.g., referrals, voting . . . ) and/or automated ways (e.g., source analysis, data mining . . . ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Horvitz, William H. Gates, III, Joshua T. Goodman, Bradly A. Brunell, Gary W. Flake, Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Kenneth A. Moss, Raymond E. Ozzie, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 8775677
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates re-locating a web application associated with a network service utilizing a portion of serialized data. The network service can be any collection of resources that are maintained by a party (e.g., third-party, off-site, etc.) and accessible by an identified user over a network (e.g., WAN, Internet, etc.). An interface component can receive a portion of serialized data with transparent structure related to an application specification. A hydrate component can create a web application independent of a network service based at least in part upon the serialized data, the web application has state within the network service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Gary W. Flake, Alexander G. Gounares, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8763150
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can leverage private affinities in order to facilitate or enrich relationships between people. In particular, the architecture can receive a profile associated with a user wherein the profile includes a set of private affinities that are cryptographically protected from public inspection. The architecture can decrypt and/or cryptographically compare a private affinity from the profile to an affinity in a disparate profile (associated with a disparate user) in order to identify a matching affinity. Once a matching affinity is identified, a message indicating such can be provided to the user along with a request to publish certain revealed information to the disparate user, possibly based upon a mutual exchange of commensurate information from the disparate user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, Eric I-Chao Chang, Jason Garms, Abhiram G. Khune, Darrell Leroy Blegen
  • Patent number: 8737721
    Abstract: A system and a method that facilitates generating a model from a 3-dimensional (3D) object assembled from 2-dimensional (2D) content are described. A content aggregator can construct a 3D object from a collection of two or more 2D images each depicting a real entity in a physical real world, wherein the 3D object is constructed by combining the two or more 2D images based upon a respective image perspective. A 3D virtual environment can allow exploration of the 3D object. A model component can extrapolate a true 3D geometric model from the 3D object, wherein the true 3D geometric model is generated to include scaling in proportion to a size within the physical real world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Blaise Aguera y Arcas, Brett D. Brewer, Steven Drucker, Karim Farouki, Gary W. Flake, Stephen L. Lawler, Donald James Lindsay, Adam Sheppard
  • Patent number: 8725567
    Abstract: Architecture for presenting advertisements in realtime in retail establishments. A sensor component includes sensors for collecting information about a customer or group of customers as they move through the store. The sensors can include capability for image processing, audio processing, light sensing, velocity sensing, direction sensing, proximity sensing, face recognition, pose recognition, transaction recognition, and biometric sensing, for example. A customer component analyzes the information and generates a profile about the customer. Advertisements are selected for presentation that target the customers as they walk in proximity of a presentation system of the store. An advertisement component facilitates dynamic presentation of a targeted advertisement to the individual as a function of the profile. The customer component can infer information during analysis using machine learning and reasoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Xuedong D. Huang, William H. Gates, III, Eric J. Horvitz, Joshua T. Goodman, Bradly A. Brunell, Susan T. Dumais, Gary W. Flake, Trenholme J. Griffin, Oliver Hurst-Hiller
  • Patent number: 8719143
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates preserving and maintaining data and/or services associated with a network service. The network service can be any collection of resources that are maintained by a party (e.g., third-party, off-site, etc.) and accessible by an identified user over a network (e.g., WAN, Internet, etc.). An interface component can receive a termination notification related to the network service. An executor component can relocate at least a portion of one of data and a service associated with the terminated network service to a disparate replacement network service in order to preserve any services and/or data related therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Gary W. Flake, Arnold N. Blinn, William J. Bolosky, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Alexander G. Gounares, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., David R. Treadwell, III
  • Patent number: 8712837
    Abstract: A method embodiment includes receiving data indicative of a person accessing at least one of a first network-available electronic content or a second network-available electronic content. Also, receiving data indicative of an involvement with respect to possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party. The involvement being independent of the person activating a link to a site owned by the third-party that is included in the first network-available electronic content or in the second network available electronic content. Further, assessing a behavioral influence by the first network-available electronic content and/or the second network-available electronic content on the indicated involvement with respect to the possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Alexander G. Gounares, W. Daniel Hillis, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Christopher D. Payne, Richard F. Rashid, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8682736
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates communicating intent-related data to a user. A display engine can enable exploration of a portion of image data during a browsing session. An intent component can receive a portion of data related to the browsing session, wherein the portion of data is at least one of a collection of browsing history or a portion of data displayed during a browsing session. The intent component can further evaluate the portion of data to ascertain a combined intent of a user. A selective ad component can infer an incompleteness of the combined intent to trigger a pre-qualification for an offer related to at least one of an item or service that fulfills the incompleteness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, Karim Farouki, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, Brett D. Brewer, Steven Drucker, Tomasz Kasperkiewicz, Stephen L. Lawler, Donald James Lindsay, Adam P. Sheppard, Richard Stephen Szeliski, Jeffrey Jon Weir
  • Publication number: 20140082174
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates re-locating a web application associated with a network service utilizing a portion of serialized data. The network service can be any collection of resources that are maintained by a party (e.g., third-party, off-site, etc.) and accessible by an identified user over a network (e.g., WAN, Internet, etc.). An interface component can receive a portion of serialized data with transparent structure related to an application specification. A hydrate component can create a web application independent of a network service based at least in part upon the serialized data, the web application has state within the network service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Debi Prasad Mishra, Amit Mital, Gary W. Flake, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Alexander G. Gounares, Ira L. Snyder, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer