Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Fong

Jeffrey C. Fong 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: 8005838
    Abstract: A discovery interface presents aggregated discovery data in a discovery interface through which a user may select between television content and Internet Protocol content. In one implementation, the discovery interface includes a television channel region associated with a television channel that lists television programs. The discovery interface further includes an Internet Protocol content region associated with the television channel that lists Internet Protocol content based on user navigation within the television channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Van Flandern, Christen Coomer, Daniel L. Poling, Jr., Frederic Azera, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Publication number: 20110145361
    Abstract: Various embodiments enable a user of a mobile media device to select one or more channels to load onto the device. Each channel comprises a collection of media content files, such as video content, audio content, and so on. Each collection of media content files can be associated with a particular genre (or genres) of media content. A channel can be managed such that its collection of media content can be rearranged, augmented, and/or otherwise edited to produce a refreshed version of the channel. The refreshed version of the channel can be provided to the mobile media device for playback. Thus, a channel associated with a particular genre of media content can provide a user with a dynamic user experience without requiring the user to manipulate specific media content files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Y.S. Shum, William J. Lauby, Anton O.A. Andrews, Jonathan R. Harris, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Patent number: 7933974
    Abstract: Various embodiments enable a user of a mobile media device to select one or more channels to load onto the device. Each channel comprises a collection of media content files, such as video content, audio content, and so on. Each collection of media content files can be associated with a particular genre (or genres) of media content. A channel can be managed such that its collection of media content can be rearranged, augmented, and/or otherwise edited to produce a refreshed version of the channel. The refreshed version of the channel can be provided to the mobile media device for playback. Thus, a channel associated with a particular genre of media content can provide a user with a dynamic user experience without requiring the user to manipulate specific media content files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Y. S. Shum, William J. Lauby, Anton O. A. Andrews, Jonathan R. Harris, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Publication number: 20110093812
    Abstract: A first set of entries in a list having multiple entries is displayed. Different ones of the multiple entries are displayed as the list is scrolled through in response to a first user gesture. Additionally, in response to the first user gesture when a second set of entries at an end of the list is being displayed, the second set of entries is displayed in a manner in which the second set of entries appear to react against (e.g., bounce or compress) against a barrier at the end of the list. Furthermore, in response to a second user gesture when the second set of entries is being displayed, the first set of entries at the beginning of the list is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Publication number: 20100332988
    Abstract: A mobile media device user interface is described. In one or more implementations, output of a plurality of audio content is monitored by a mobile media device. Each of the audio content was received via a respective one of a plurality of broadcast channels by the mobile media device. A user interface is displayed on a display device of the mobile media device, the user interface describing each of the plurality of audio content and the respective broadcast channel from which the audio content was received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Fong, D. Graham Stinson, Miguel Guerrero
  • Patent number: 7840979
    Abstract: A discovery interface facilitates the selection of available media content. Content-relevant graphical tiles are displayed in strips within the discovery interface. In this manner, a user can survey graphics associated with available content. When the discovery interface section (e.g., a row) is in focus, the graphical tiles are expanded as compared to the tiles in sections that are not in focus to provide easier viewing by the user. Furthermore, when an individual tile is in focus, then the tile expands further to be wider and taller than any of the other tiles in the associated tile strip. In one implementation, the focused tile is also highlighted, such as with a distinguishing border. In another implementation, metadata associated with the content of the focused tile is displayed in the proximity of the focused tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Poling, Jr., Frederic Azera, Jeffrey C. Fong, Michael W. Van Flandern, Christen Coomer, John Elsbree
  • Patent number: 7743398
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to conflict management resolution. Typically systems for resolving conflicts between television programs with coinciding broadcast schedules use preferences, a confusing and limited display, or a combination thereof. The present invention, on thee other hand, provides for determining time spans or time slices, that indicate the duration of the conflict, and uses these to determine the available recording options. These can then be displayed in a user friendly interface, that is easy to understand and simple to use. In addition, other example embodiments ensure that the various programs and/or available options are capable of being cycled through, regardless of preference settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron J. DeYonker, Peter J. Potrebic, Thomas H. Taylor, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Patent number: 7743343
    Abstract: A hierarchical system is used to store data items easily capable of thumbnail representation (such as images). Such a hierarchical system may allow a folder (or other grouping) to contain both data items and sub-folders. The display of such a folder uses two display areas. In one display area, sub-folders are displayed using a list view, where text is the primary method for the display of the sub-folders which are contained in the folder. In the other display area, a grid view is used to display the data items. Thumbnail images are the primary components of the grid view. Functionality available to a user will change based on whether the user is browsing the list view or the grid view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Fong, Julian Leonhard Selman, Marc S. Doll, Thamer A. Abanami
  • Publication number: 20100115553
    Abstract: A discovery interface presents aggregated discovery data in a discovery interface through which a user may select between television content and Internet Protocol content. In one implementation, the discovery interface includes a television channel region associated with a television channel that lists television programs. The discovery interface further includes an Internet Protocol content region associated with the television channel that lists Internet Protocol content based on user navigation within the television channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael W. Van Flandern, Christen Coomer, Daniel L. Poling, JR., Frederic Azera, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Patent number: 7647332
    Abstract: A unified discovery interface that presents aggregated discovery data for media content available via multiple content delivery types is provided. In one implementation, the discovery data may be aggregated via a discovery data ingestion module to provide a compilation accessible by one or more client modules. The one or more client modules may present the aggregated discovery data in the unified discovery interface through which a user may select between first media content available via a first content delivery type and second media content available via a second content delivery type. In another implementation, a client module may aggregate discovery data and provide a unified discovery interface through which a user may select between first media content available via a first content delivery type and second media content available via a second content delivery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Van Flandern, Christen Coomer, Daniel L. Poling, Jr., Frederic Azera, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Publication number: 20090327341
    Abstract: Multiple degrees of context for media content that is consumable on computing platforms including PCs and personal media players is provided by logically organizing context objects into halos that surround each piece of consumable content. The context objects represent information and experiences that are contextually associated with media content to enable users to easily discover content and experiences that they will find interesting in a rich and personal manner. As a user navigates from a content item to a context object in the halo, the context object itself morphs into content that is then surrounded by a new halo of context objects to which the user may navigate. The organization of media content and information into halos enables an effective contextual paradigm that cuts across strict hierarchical structures to allow the user experience to be much more seamless and free-flowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Fong, Anton O. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20090327941
    Abstract: Multiple degrees of context for media content that is consumable on computing platforms including PCs and personal media players is provided by logically organizing context objects into halos that surround each piece of consumable content. The context objects represent information and experiences that are contextually associated with media content to enable users to easily discover content and experiences that they will find interesting in a rich and personal manner. As a user navigates from a content item to a context object in the halo, the context object itself morphs into content that is then surrounded by a new halo of context objects to which the user may navigate. The organization of media content and information into halos enables an effective contextual paradigm that cuts across strict hierarchical structures to allow the user experience to be much more seamless and free-flowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Fong, Anton O. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20090291677
    Abstract: Various embodiments enable a user of a mobile media device to select one or more channels to load onto the device. Each channel comprises a collection of media content files, such as video content, audio content, and so on. Each collection of media content files can be associated with a particular genre (or genres) of media content. A channel can be managed such that its collection of media content can be rearranged, augmented, and/or otherwise edited to produce a refreshed version of the channel. A user's interaction with content within a channel can be monitored to produce behavior data about the user. The behavior data can be used to customize the playback of a particular channel to reflect user preferences. The behavior data can also be used to produce channels that are custom tuned for the user and can be used to produce a customized version of a mobile media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William J. Lauby, Albert Y.S. Shum, Anton O.A. Andrews, Jonathan R. Harris, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Publication number: 20090293091
    Abstract: Various embodiments enable a user of a mobile media device to select one or more channels to load onto the device. Each channel comprises a collection of media content files, such as video content, audio content, and so on. Each collection of media content files can be associated with a particular genre (or genres) of media content. A channel can be managed such that its collection of media content can be rearranged, augmented, and/or otherwise edited to produce a refreshed version of the channel. The refreshed version of the channel can be provided to the mobile media device for playback. Thus, a channel associated with a particular genre of media content can provide a user with a dynamic user experience without requiring the user to manipulate specific media content files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Y.S. Shum, William J. Lauby, Anton O.A. Andrews, Jonathon R. Harris, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Patent number: D640270
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Don Barnett, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Patent number: D642191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Don Barnett, Jeffrey C. Fong, Jeffery G. Arnold
  • Patent number: D642196
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Fong, Michael I. Guss
  • Patent number: D643047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael I. Guss, Jeffrey C. Fong
  • Patent number: D643850
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery G. Arnold, Jeffrey C. Fong, Michael I. Guss
  • Patent number: D643851
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery G. Arnold, Jeffrey C. Fong, Michael I. Guss