Patents by Inventor James O. Robarts

James O. Robarts 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: 20080313271
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations the providing includes receiving from a first client an indication of an interest in receiving values for an indicated one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, receiving from a second client an indication of an interest in receiving values for another of the state attributes of the modeled current state, and, in response to receiving a value for the indicated one attribute from a first source, determining that the first client has an interest in receiving the received value and supplying the received value to the first client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7464153
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a context that is modeled with multiple context attributes. In some situations, at least some of the context attributes have values used by modules for generating values of other context attributes, and the providing includes determining that a first module is generating a first value of a first of the context attributes of the modeled context and determining that a circular reference exists when it is determined that a module is to generate another value of the first context attribute such that the generating of the another value is caused by the generating of the first value of the first context attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7444594
    Abstract: Techniques are described providing mediated information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a first source an indication of a first value for an indicated one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, receiving from a second source an indication of a second value for the indicated state attribute, and, after an indication from a client for a value for the indicated state attribute, sending to the client a mediated value for the indicated state attribute that is produced by mediating between available values for the indicated state attribute including at least the first and second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman, Johnson Apacible
  • Patent number: 7395507
    Abstract: A system filters received messages (e.g., unsolicited advertisements) to determine if they are appropriate for a user based on the non-static, constantly evolving, context of the user. The system can track the user's context by monitoring various environmental parameters, such as related to the user's physical, mental, computing and data environments, and can model the current context of the user based at least in part on the monitoring. The system selects a set of one or more filters to apply to incoming messages based on the user's context, and the selected filters can be updated as the user's context changes. Messages that survive the filters are then evaluated against the user's context to determine whether they should be presented immediately or stored for delayed presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James O. Robarts, Dan Newell, Kenneth H. Abbott
  • Publication number: 20080147775
    Abstract: Techniques for providing information about a current state modeled with multiple attributes is described. The providing of information can include receiving from a first source an indication of an ability to supply values for one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, and supplying to a client a value for the one attribute received from the first source. After the supplying of the value, the providing can include receiving from a second source a value supplying ability for the one attribute and supplying of a value for the one attribute based on values received for the one attribute from the first and second sources. After the supplying of that value, the providing can include receiving from the first source an indication of a value supplying inability for the one attribute and supplying a value for the one attribute received from the second source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Ken Swapp, Joshua Freedman
  • Patent number: 7346663
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations the providing includes receiving from a first client an indication of an interest in receiving values for an indicated one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, receiving from a second client an indication of an interest in receiving values for another of the state attributes of the modeled current state, and, in response to receiving a value for the indicated one attribute from a first source, determining that the first client has an interest in receiving the received value and supplying the received value to the first client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7231439
    Abstract: Techniques for providing information about a current state modeled with multiple attributes is described. The providing of information can include receiving from a first source an indication of an ability to supply values for one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, and supplying to a client a value for the one attribute received from the first source. After the supplying of the value, the providing can include receiving from a second source a value supplying ability for the one attribute and supplying of a value for the one attribute based on values received for the one attribute from the first and second sources. After the supplying of that value, the providing can include receiving from the first source an indication of a value supplying inability for the one attribute and supplying a value for the one attribute received from the second source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Ken Swapp, Joshua Freedman
  • Patent number: 7225229
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations the providing includes receiving from a first client an indication of an interest in receiving values for an indicated one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, receiving from a second client an indication of an interest in receiving values for another of the state attributes of the modeled current state, and, in response to receiving a value for the indicated one attribute from a first source, determining that the first client has an interest in receiving the received value and supplying the received value to the first client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7203906
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a module a request related to the modeling of the current state with the multiple state attributes. In such situations, the providing further includes, without further intervention related to the request by the module, determining that the request cannot currently be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request cannot currently be satisfied, monitoring at later times after the indicating to determine whether the request can be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request can be satisfied if it is determined at one of the later times that the request can currently be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7155456
    Abstract: A system for computer-based storing of information about a current state so that later recall of the information can augment human memories In particular, when information about a current event of interest is to be stored, a variety of current state information of different types (e.g., video, audio, and textual information) about the environment and about a user can be acquired via sensors and other input devices. The variety of state information can then be associated together as a group and stored for later retrieval. Other information can also be associated with the group, such as one or more recall tags that facilitate later retrieval of the group, or one or more annotations to provide contextual information when the other state information is later retrieved and presented to the user. When information about a past event is to be recalled, one or more identifying recall tags can be received that are used to identify one or more state information groups that match the identifying tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, III, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7137069
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Patent number: 7107539
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Patent number: 7089497
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman
  • Patent number: 7080322
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Patent number: 7076737
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Patent number: 7073129
    Abstract: A system filters received messages (e.g., unsolicited advertisements) to determine if they are appropriate for a user based on the non-static, constantly evolving, context of the user. The system can track the user's context by monitoring various environmental parameters, such as related to the user's physical, mental, computing and data environments, and can model the current context of the user based at least in part on the monitoring. The system selects a set of one or more filters to apply to incoming messages based on the user's context, and the selected filters can be updated as the user's context changes. Messages that survive the filters are then evaluated against the user's context to determine whether they should be presented immediately or stored for delayed presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: James O. Robarts, Dan Newell, Kenneth H. Abbott
  • Patent number: 7062715
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a module a request related to the modeling of the current state with the multiple state attributes. In such situations, the providing further includes, without further intervention related to the request by the module, determining that the request cannot currently be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request cannot currently be satisfied, monitoring at later times after the indicating to determine whether the request can be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request can be satisfied if it is determined at one of the later times that the request can currently be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Patent number: 7058893
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman
  • Patent number: 7058894
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman
  • Patent number: 7055101
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Tangis Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible