Patents by Inventor John C. Platt

John C. Platt 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: 8190627
    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: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Platt, Gary W. Flake, Ramez Naam, Anoop Gupta, Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Trenholme J. Griffin, Joshua T. Goodman
  • Patent number: 8103011
    Abstract: Signal detectors are described herein. By way of example, a system for detecting signals can include a microphone signal detector, a loudspeaker signal detector, a signal discriminator and a decision component. When the microphone signal detector detects the presence of a microphone signal, the loudspeaker signal detector detects the presence of a loudspeaker signal and the signal discriminator determines that near-end speech dominates loudspeaker echo, the decision component can confirm the presence of doubletalk. When the microphone signal detector detects the presence of a microphone signal and the signal discriminator determines that near-end speech dominates loudspeaker echo, the decision component confirms the presence of near-end signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Asif Iqbal Mohammad, Jack W. Stokes, III, John C. Platt, Arungunram C. Surendran
  • Publication number: 20120005282
    Abstract: Electronic mail messages may be collaboratively ranked and filtered. User actions on an electronic mail message received from a sender by one or more recipients may be monitored. Statistics may be generated based on the user actions. The generated statistics may be utilized to provide a quality ranking of the electronic mail message based on the generated statistics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nicole D. Steinbok, Jonathan J. Cadiz, John C. Platt, F. David Jones, David John Rasmussen, Thirumalesh K. Bhat, Mark R. Dawson, Eli Y. Tamanaha, Bill Li, Brian D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8086031
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems methods and devices related to region detection of an image. Detected regions include pixels of a particular one or more colors without requiring faces within the image to be previously detected. Region detection may include receiving information that a flash was used to capture the image or that return light was detected in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tong-Xian Chen, Xiangrong Chen, John C. Platt, Jie Yan, Hong-Jiang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110314001
    Abstract: A method described herein includes an act of receiving a query from a user, wherein the query is configured to search over a plurality of documents belonging to a particular domain. The method also includes an act of providing data to the user for display on a display screen of a computing apparatus, wherein the data is provided based at least in part upon a statistical analysis undertaken with respect to structured data pertaining to the particular domain, wherein the structured data is based at least in part upon data included in the plurality of documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Edward Jacobs, John C. Platt, Johnson Tan Apacible
  • Publication number: 20110283204
    Abstract: Described is a technology by which a user pastes selected data into a command line of a program, including when the selected data is non-textual. Upon detecting the paste (or drop) action, a variable name is automatically generated and inserted at the current point in a command line, where it acts as a proxy for the pasted data itself. A data structure comprising the selected data or transformed data corresponding to that selected data is maintained in program storage, e.g., RAM allocated to the program. In one aspect, a handler may be used to transform the data from one format into another that may be used by a particular program. For example, text may be reformatted into an array on which the program operates. The handler may be selected from a plurality of possible handlers, including customized handlers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Edward Jacobs, Sumit Basu, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 7941382
    Abstract: A malicious behavior detection/prevention system, such as an intrusion detection system, is provided that uses active learning to classify entries into multiple classes. A single entry can correspond to either the occurrence of one or more events or the non-occurrence of one or more events. During a training phase, entries are automatically classified into one of multiple classes. After classifying the entry, a generated model for the determined class is utilized to determine how well an entry corresponds to the model. Ambiguous classifications along with entries that do not fit the model well for the determined class are selected for labeling by a human analyst. The selected entries are presented to a human analyst for labeling. These labels are used to further train the classifier and the models. During an evaluation phase, entries are automatically classified using the trained classifier and a policy associated with determined class is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jack W. Stokes, John C. Platt, Michael Shilman, Joseph L. Kravis
  • Patent number: 7937264
    Abstract: A general probabilistic formulation referred to as ‘Conditional Harmonic Mixing’ is provided, in which links between classification nodes are directed, a conditional probability matrix is associated with each link, and where the numbers of classes can vary from node to node. A posterior class probability at each node is updated by minimizing a divergence between its distribution and that predicted by its neighbors. For arbitrary graphs, as long as each unlabeled point is reachable from at least one training point, a solution generally always exists, is unique, and can be found by solving a sparse linear system iteratively. In one aspect, an automated data classification system is provided. The system includes a data set having at least one labeled category node in the data set. A semi-supervised learning component employs directed arcs to determine the label of at least one other unlabeled category node in the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. C. Burges, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 7890807
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a configuration parameter of a “sick” computer system that is at fault for causing an undesired behavior based on analysis of configuration parameters from other computer systems is provided. In one embodiment, a troubleshooting system collects “suspect” values for “suspect” configuration parameters used by a “sick” application when the undesired behavior was exhibited by the sick computer system. The troubleshooting system then compares the suspect values to sample values of the suspect configuration parameters retrieved from sample computer systems. The troubleshooting system uses that comparison to identify one or more suspect configuration parameters that are likely at fault for causing the application to exhibit the undesired behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chad E. Verbowski, Jiahe Helen Wang, John C. Platt, Ruyun Zhang, Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20110013781
    Abstract: A regression-based residual echo suppression (RES) system and process for suppressing the portion of the microphone signal corresponding to a playback of a speaker audio signal that was not suppressed by an acoustic echo canceller (AEC). In general, a prescribed regression technique is used between a prescribed spectral attribute of multiple past and present, fixed-length, periods (e.g., frames) of the speaker signal and the same spectral attribute of a current period (e.g., frame) of the echo residual in the output of the AEC. This automatically takes into consideration the correlation between the time periods of the speaker signal. The parameters of the regression can be easily tracked using adaptive methods. Multiple applications of RES can be used to produce better results and this system and process can be applied to stereo-RES as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amit Chhetri, Arungunram C. Surendran, Jack W. Stokes, III, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 7822762
    Abstract: A system that employs an explicitly and/or implicitly trained model in order to return entity-specific computer-based search results is provided. The innovation can provide for a customized search model that focuses search in connection with achieving information that is meaningful with respect to goals of an entity. The model can be used to modify a search query in accordance with a goal of the entity or to generate the search query thereby returning meaningful and/or targeted results to the user. The system can automatically gather entity-related data thereafter determining or inferring a goal as well as training the model. Moreover, the system can selectively configure (e.g., order, rank, filter) and render results to a user based upon the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Payne, Eric J. Horvitz, Alexander G. Gounares, Susan T. Dumais, Kyle G. Peltonen, Gary W. Flake, Xuedong D. Huang, William H. Gates, III, John C. Platt, Oliver Hurst-Hiller, Joshua T. Goodman, Christopher A. Meek, Ramez Naam, Raymond E Ozzie, Eric D. Brill
  • Patent number: 7788144
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting images and related items to a user. A digital image from a data store is assessed, and a portion of the image is defined as a region of interest. Properties are associated with this defined region, and these properties are utilized to infer relationships between the region of interest and related items in the data store. Optionally, a user input indicating a desire to view related content may be received and such content may be presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Vaschillo, Bradley P. Gibson, Christopher A. Evans, John C. Platt, Nathaniel H. Ballou, Paul S. Hellyar, Scott E. Dart, Steve C. Glenner
  • Publication number: 20100192222
    Abstract: A method of identifying a malware file using multiple classifiers is disclosed. The method includes receiving a file at a client computer. The file includes static metadata. A set of metadata classifier weights are applied to the static metadata to generate a first classifier output. A dynamic classifier is initiated to evaluate the file and to generate a second classifier output. The method includes automatically identifying the file as potential malware based on at least the first classifier output and the second classifier output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jack W. Stokes, John C. Platt, Jonathan M. Keller, Joseph L. Faulhaber, Anil Francis Thomas, Adrian M. Marinescu, Marius G. Gheorghescu, George Chicioreanu
  • Patent number: 7765212
    Abstract: A system that facilitates organization of emails comprises a clustering component that clusters a plurality of emails and creates topics for emails by assigning key phrases extracted from emails within one or more clusters. An organization component then utilizes the key phrases to organize documents. Furthermore, the organization component can comprise a probability component that determines a probability that a document belongs to a certain topic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Arungunram C. Surendran, Erin L. Renshaw, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 7716011
    Abstract: A strategy is described for identifying anomalies in time-series data. The strategy involves dividing the time-series data into a plurality of collected data segments and then using a modeling technique to fit local models to the collected data segments. Large deviations of the time-series data from the local models are indicative of anomalies. In one approach, the modeling technique can use an absolute value (L1) measure of error value for all of the collected data segments. In another approach, the modeling technique can use the L1 measure for only those portions of the time-series data that are projected to be anomalous. The modeling technique can use a squared-term (L2) measure of error value for normal portions of the time-series data. In another approach, the modeling technique can use an iterative expectation-maximization strategy in applying the L1 and L2 measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Romain J. Thibaux, Emre M. Kiciman, David A. Maltz, John C. Platt
  • Publication number: 20100088143
    Abstract: The described implementations relate to calendar event scheduling. One system includes a storage component configured to store scheduling constraints relating to at least one user. The system also includes a declarative calendar component configured to automatically schedule declarative calendar events for the at least one user based upon the scheduling constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Platt, Jonathan J. Cadiz, Joseph L. Hellerstein, Brian D. Williams, Sumit Basu
  • Patent number: 7689419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for training parameters in a hidden conditional random field model for use in speech recognition and phonetic classification. The hidden conditional random field model uses parameterized features that are determined from a segment of speech, and those values are used to identify a phonetic unit for the segment of speech. The parameters are updated after processing of individual training samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Milind V. Mahajan, Alejandro Acero, Asela J. Gunawardana, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 7660713
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for signal detection and enhancement. The systems and methods utilize one or more discriminative classifiers (e.g., a logistic regression model and a convolutional neural network) to estimate a posterior probability that indicates whether a desired signal is present in a received signal. The discriminative estimators generate the estimated probability based on one or more signal-to-noise ratio (SNRs) (e.g., a normalized logarithmic posterior SNR (nlpSNR) and a mel-transformed nlpSNR (mel-nlpSNR)) and an estimated noise model. Depending on the resolution desired, the estimated SNR can be generated at a frame level or at an atom level, wherein the atom level estimates are utilized to generate the frame level estimate. The novel systems and methods can be utilized to facilitate speech detection, speech recognition, speech coding, noise adaptation, speech enhancement, microphone arrays and echo-cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Arungunram C. Surendran, John C. Platt, Somsak Sukittanon, Christopher J. C. Burges
  • Patent number: 7646940
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates indexing and retrieving electronic ink objects with improved efficiency and accuracy is provided. Handwritten words or characters are mapped to a low dimension through a process of segmentation, stroke classification using a neural network, and projection along directions found using OPCA, for example. The employment of OPCA makes these low dimensional representations robust to handwriting variations or noise. Each handwritten word or set of characters is stored along with neighborhood hyperrectangle that represents word variations. Redundant bit vectors are used to index the hyperrectangles for efficient storage and retrieval. Ink-based queries can be submitted in order to retrieve at least one ink object. To do so, the ink query is processed to determine its query point which is represented by a (query) hyperrectangle. A data store can be searched for any hyperrectangles that match the query hyperrectangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kumar H. Chellapilla, John C. Platt
  • Patent number: 7640313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for filtering messages—the system includes a seed filter having associated therewith a false positive rate and a false negative rate. A new filter is also provided for filtering the messages, the new filter is evaluated according to the false positive rate and the false negative rate of the seed filter, the data used to determine the false positive rate and the false negative rate of the seed filter are utilized to determine a new false positive rate and a new false negative rate of the new filter as a function of threshold. The new filter is employed in lieu of the seed filter if a threshold exists for the new filter such that the new false positive rate and new false negative rate are together considered better than the false positive and the false negative rate of the seed filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Rounthwaite, Joshua T. Goodman, David E. Heckerman, John C. Platt, Carl M. Kadie