Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Herman

Jeffrey Herman 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: 6282435
    Abstract: A portable telephone provides a graphical user interface (GUI) using a high-resolution display. The GUI provides a Universal Mailbox for storing both electronic mail and voicemail messages, either of which can be accessed by a user from the same display screen. An automatic reply feature allows a user to initiate an outgoing reply to a received message with the touch of a button. For a reply to a voicemail message, the GUI accesses Caller ID information to automatically identify and dial out to the phone number of the sender of the original message. For an electronic mail reply, the GUI automatically displays a reply form addressed to the source address. Reply forms may be generic, custom designed for a specific source address, or provided by the sender. An advanced call control feature automatically checks an outgoing telephone number against a database to determine whether the phone number is currently appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsytems Inc.
    Inventors: Annette Wagner, Jeffrey Herman, Herbert Jellinek, Susan Booker
  • Patent number: 6275954
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for receiving data analysis instructions from a user and for displaying results of the data analysis to the user. In one embodiment, the invention provides a series of interface windows displayed on a computer display screen. A first window allows a user to select one or more specification files comprising reference data specifying capabilities and or resources with which other data is to be compared. A second window allows the user to select one or more data files to be compared to the one or more specification files selected using the first window. A third window allows the user to interactively select the type of analysis to be performed and provides the results of the selected analysis to the user. The third window also allows the user to interactively apply one or more filters to the results and to select the manner (view) in which the results are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Herman, Kevin T. Looney
  • Patent number: 6256516
    Abstract: A portable telephone provides a graphical user interface (GUI) using a high-resolution display. The GUI provides a Universal Mailbox for storing both electronic mail and voicemail messages, either of which can be accessed by a user from the same display screen. An automatic reply feature allows a user to initiate an outgoing reply to a received message with the touch of a button. For a reply to a voicemail message, the GUI accesses Caller ID information to automatically identify and dial out to the phone number of the sender of the original message. For an electronic mail reply, the GUI automatically displays a reply form addressed to the source address. Reply forms may be generic, custom designed for a specific source address, or provided by the sender. An advanced call control feature automatically checks a destination telephone number against a database to determine whether the phone number is currently appropriate for the party to be called .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Annette Wagner, Jeffrey Herman, Herbert Jellinek, Susan Booker
  • Patent number: 6169911
    Abstract: A portable telephone provides a graphical user interface (GUI) using a high-resolution display. The GUI provides a Universal Mailbox for storing both electronic mail and voicemail messages, either of which can be accessed by a user from the same display screen. An automatic reply feature allows a user to initiate an outgoing reply to a received message with the touch of a button. For a reply to a voicemail message, the GUI accesses Caller ID information to automatically identify and dial out to the phone number of the sender of the original message. For an electronic mail reply, the GUI automatically displays a reply form addressed to the source address. Reply forms may be generic, custom designed for a specific source address, or provided by the sender. An advanced call control feature automatically checks an outgoing telephone number against a database to determine whether the phone number is currently appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Annette Wagner, Jeffrey Herman, Herbert Jellinek, Susan Booker
  • Patent number: 5954826
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for receiving data analysis instructions from a user and for displaying results of the data analysis to the user. In one embodiment, the invention provides a series of interface windows displayed on a computer display screen. A first window allows a user to select one or more specification files comprising reference data specifying capabilities and or resources with which other data is to be compared. A second window allows the user to select one or more data files to be compared to the one or more specification files selected using the first window. A third window allows the user to interactively select the type of analysis to be performed and provides the results of the selected analysis to the user. The third window also allows the user to interactively apply one or more filters to the results and to select the manner (view) in which the results are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Herman, Kevin T. Looney
  • Patent number: 5602996
    Abstract: The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The windows include defined areas having window features such as menu bars, command options, text, icons and/or button functions to be executed by the CPU. The help system includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Powers, III, James E. Palmer, Patricia J. Coleman, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran
  • Patent number: 5600779
    Abstract: A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the generation and display of entries in a predefined area of the access window. Upon the selection of one of the entries by a user, phrases related to the selected entry are displayed in a working area of the access window. The selection of one of the phrases results in the display of a presentation window containing help instruction data to guide the user in the particular help task specified by the entry and phrase selection. To further assist the user, visual cues in the form of coach marks are generated for identifying features on the display which relate to the information disposed within the presentation window, but may identify any feature on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Palmer, John R. Powers, III, Patricia J. Coleman, Gregory S. Brewer, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran
  • Patent number: 5488685
    Abstract: A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the generation and display of entries in a predefined area of the access window. Upon the selection of one of the entries by a user, phrases related to the selected entry are displayed in a working area of the access window. The selection of one of the phrases results in the display of a presentation window containing help instruction data to guide the user in the particular help task specified by the entry and phrase selection. To further assist the user, visual cues in the form of coach marks are generated for identifying features on the display which relate to the information disposed within the presentation window, but may identify any feature on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Palmer, John R. Powers, III, Patricia J. Coleman, Gregory S. Brewer, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran
  • Patent number: 5469540
    Abstract: The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The windows include defined areas having window features such as menu bars, command options, text, icons and/or button functions to be executed by the CPU. The help system includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Powers, III, James E. Palmer, Patricia J. Coleman, Jeffrey A. Herman, Eli Cochran