Patents by Inventor Helen Blackburn
Helen Blackburn 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).
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Patent number: 9258511Abstract: Embodiments include a television appliance configured to display a selected on-screen viewing activity, and a client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with contacts via a network interface and packet-based network. The client application is further configured to receive a machine-readable data item via the network interface and packet-based network from a television appliance of one or more of said contacts, the machine-readable data item indicating a current television channel being viewed by the respective contact. In at least some embodiments, the client application may control operation of said user's television appliance in relation to the contact's television appliance based on the data item.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: SkypeInventors: Helen Blackburn, David Dinka, Gisela Gier, Mark McLaughlin
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Patent number: 9128592Abstract: Techniques for displaying graphical representations of contacts are described. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a group of graphical representations of contacts is displayed at a first size in a display region. In response to a selection of a subgroup of the graphical representations, the subgroup of graphical representations is automatically resized to fit in the display region at a second size.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: SkypeInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Rachel Eardley, Marek Laasik, Madis Kaal
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Publication number: 20150095933Abstract: Disclosed herein a user device. The user device comprises a network interface for connecting to an internet. The user device comprises a processor configured to execute a client application having a user interface. The client application is configured to detect a media device which is capable of communicating with the user device via a local connection; said local connection is not over the internet. The client is configured to cause the detected media device to display a pairing code—the causation being effected via said local connection—and to present, via the user interface, an option to input the displayed code. The client is configured to transmit the inputted code to the internet to establish a pairing relationship with the media device. The established pairing relationship enables interaction between the user device and the media device. A corresponding method, computer program product and media device are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Helen Blackburn, Christopher James Foulds, Theo Colin Short
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Patent number: 8908854Abstract: A communications module comprising a network interface for connecting to a packet data network, a memory storing communication client code, a connection interface that is arranged to connect to a consumer device to establish a set of connections between the communications module and the consumer device, wherein the connection interface comprises at least one connection for exchanging analogue call signals with the consumer device; and at least one data connector; and processing means configured to convert analogue call signals received from the consumer device into packet data and supply the packet data to the network interface, the processing means further configured to execute the communication client code stored in the memory and send user interface data for display at the consumer device via the data connector.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Simon Wilson, Ellyse Brause, Helen Blackburn, Manrique Brenes
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Patent number: 8885601Abstract: A system comprising: a first user device and at least a second user device for a same user, at least one of the first and second user devices being a household media appliance, and each being installed with a respective instance of a communication client application for conducting voice or video calls over a packet-based network. Each instance is associated with a same user identifier identifying the same user, a first of the instances is associated with a first subidentifier, and a second of the instances is associated with a second subidentifier. The instances are configured so as, during an ongoing call conducted over a first network connection established based on the user identifier and the first sub-identifier, after the call has been answered, to establish a second network connection based on the user identifier and the second sub-identifier and to switch the call to the second network connection.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: SkypeInventors: Helen Blackburn, David Dinka, Gisela Gier, Mark Philip McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20140300825Abstract: Embodiments include a television appliance configured to display a selected on-screen viewing activity, and a client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with contacts via a network interface and packet-based network. The client application is further configured to receive a machine-readable data item via the network interface and packet-based network from a television appliance of one or more of said contacts, the machine-readable data item indicating a current television channel being viewed by the respective contact. In at least some embodiments, the client application may control operation of said user's television appliance in relation to the contact's television appliance based on the data item.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Helen Blackburn, David Dinka, Gisela Gier, Mark McLaughlin
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Patent number: 8711200Abstract: A television appliance comprising: a television receiver for receiving television signals and outputting the television signal of a selected channel to a screen; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus arranged to execute the communication client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with the contacts via the network interface and packet-based network.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: SkypeInventors: Helen Blackburn, David Dinka, Gisela Gier, Mark Philip McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20130314490Abstract: A method of transmitting video data comprising: establishing a bidirectional video channel between a first terminal and a second terminal in a packet-based communication network; beginning a live, face-to-face video call over the established channel by generating first video data from a video camera of the first terminal, transmitting the first video data to the second terminal for display on a screen of the second terminal, receiving second video data generated from a video camera of the second terminal, and displaying the second video data on a screen of the first terminal; generating third video data at the first terminal from a source other than the video camera of the first terminal; receiving a user selection at the first terminal; and in response to the user selection, transmitting the third video data to the second user over the established channel of the packet-based communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Marek Laasik
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Publication number: 20130305175Abstract: Techniques for displaying graphical representations of contacts are described. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a group of graphical representations of contacts is displayed at a first size in a display region. In response to a selection of a subgroup of the graphical representations, the subgroup of graphical representations is automatically resized to fit in the display region at a second size.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Rachel Eardley, Marek Laasik, Madis Kaal
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Patent number: 8520050Abstract: A method of transmitting video data comprising: establishing a bidirectional video channel between a first terminal and a second terminal in a packet-based communication network; beginning a live, face-to-face video call over the established channel by generating first video data from a video camera of the first terminal, transmitting the first video data to the second terminal for display on a screen of the second terminal, receiving second video data generated from a video camera of the second terminal, and displaying the second video data on a screen of the first terminal; generating third video data at the first terminal from a source other than the video camera of the first terminal; receiving a user selection at the first terminal; and in response to the user selection, transmitting the third video data to the second user over the established channel of the packet-based communication network.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: SkypeInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Marek Laasik
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Patent number: 8489691Abstract: A method of initiating a communication event via a packet-based communication network in a media appliance having a processor executing a communication client, comprising: retrieving a stored list comprising a plurality of contacts associated with a user of the communication client; generating a first two-dimensional contact grid comprising a first arrangement of entries; displaying the first contact grid on a display means such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, wherein the graphical representations are sized so as to fit in the entries of the first contact grid; receiving a selection of a subset of the graphical representations in the first contact grid from a user of the communication client; generating a second contact grid comprising a second arrangement of entries corresponding to the selected subset; displaying the second contact grid on the display means in replacement of the first contact grid, such that eachType: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Rachel Eardley, Marek Laasik, Madis Kaal
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Publication number: 20130176378Abstract: A communications module comprising a network interface for connecting to a packet data network, a memory storing communication client code, a connection interface that is arranged to connect to a consumer device to establish a set of connections between the communications module and the consumer device, wherein the connection interface comprises at least one connection for exchanging analogue call signals with the consumer device; and at least one data connector; and processing means configured to convert analogue call signals received from the consumer device into packet data and supply the packet data to the network interface, the processing means further configured to execute the communication client code stored in the memory and send user interface data for display at the consumer device via the data connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Simon Wilson, Ellyse Brause, Helen Blackburn, Manrique Brenes
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Patent number: 8473994Abstract: A media appliance and corresponding method, the media appliance comprising a video signal source such as a TV receiver, and signal processing apparatus for generating a corresponding sequence of frames for output to a screen. The appliance comprises a client application programmed to capture one of the frames and use the captured frame to generate an image to represent a user in relation to bidirectional communications over a packet-based network.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: SkypeInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Marek Laasik
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Publication number: 20110243141Abstract: A system comprising: a first user device and at least a second user device for a same user, at least one of the first and second user devices being a household media appliance, and each being installed with a respective instance of a communication client application for conducting voice or video calls over a packet-based network. Each instance is associated with a same user identifier identifying said same user, a first of said instances is associated with a first sub-identifier, and a second of said instances is associated with a second sub-identifier. The instances are configured so as, during an ongoing call conducted over a first network connection established based on said user identifier and the first sub-identifier, after the call has been answered, to establish a second network connection based on said user identifier and the second sub-identifier and to switch the call to the second network connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: Skype LimitedInventors: Helen Blackburn, David Dinka, Gisela Gier, Mark Philip McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20110242266Abstract: A television appliance comprising: a television receiver for receiving television signals and outputting the television signal of a selected channel to a screen; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus arranged to execute the communication client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with the contacts via the network interface and packet-based network.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Helen Blackburn, David Dinka, Gisela Gier, Mark Philip McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20100064334Abstract: A method of transmitting video data comprising: establishing a bidirectional video channel between a first terminal and a second terminal in a packet-based communication network; beginning a live, face-to-face video call over the established channel by generating first video data from a video camera of the first terminal, transmitting the first video data to the second terminal for display on a screen of the second terminal, receiving second video data generated from a video camera of the second terminal, and displaying the second video data on a screen of the first terminal; generating third video data at the first terminal from a source other than the video camera of the first terminal; receiving a user selection at the first terminal; and in response to the user selection, transmitting the third video data to the second user over the established channel of the packet-based communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Skype LimitedInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Marek Laasik
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Publication number: 20100064333Abstract: A media appliance and corresponding method, the media appliance comprising a video signal source such as a TV receiver, and signal processing apparatus for generating a corresponding sequence of frames for output to a screen. The appliance comprises a client application programmed to capture one of the frames and use the captured frame to generate an image to represent a user in relation to bidirectional communications over a packet-based network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Skype LimitedInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Marek Laasik
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Publication number: 20100060788Abstract: A method of initiating a communication event via a packet-based communication network in a media appliance having a processor executing a communication client, comprising: retrieving a stored list comprising a plurality of contacts associated with a user of the communication client; generating a first two-dimensional contact grid comprising a first arrangement of entries; displaying the first contact grid on a display means such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, wherein the graphical representations are sized so as to fit in the entries of the first contact grid; receiving a selection of a subset of the graphical representations in the first contact grid from a user of the communication client; generating a second contact grid comprising a second arrangement of entries corresponding to the selected subset; displaying the second contact grid on the display means in replacement of the first contact grid, such that eachType: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Skype LimitedInventors: Helen Blackburn, Mark McLaughlin, Rachel Eardley, Marek Laasik, Madis Kaal