Patents by Inventor John C. Tang
John C. Tang 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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Publication number: 20150324099Abstract: A Media Presentation System (MPS) identifies a user's current activity and then attempts to deliver one or more media items that are relevant to the user's current activity. In other words, those media items are determined to exhibit a pattern of previous user activity that matches the user's current activity. In one case, the MPS may determine that the user is engaged in a communication system with another user, using a communication system, such as a video communication system. In response, the MPS can present media items that pertain to the two users in the course of their communication session. For instance, at least some of the media items may have been captured in previous communication sessions between the two users.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventor: John C. Tang
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Publication number: 20150281369Abstract: A communication augmentation agent (CAA) is described herein which presents a shared user experience to at least a first user and a second user. In one manner of operation, the CAA operates by intelligently determining. (1) when to offer a shared user experience to the users; (b) the particular form of the shared user experience; and (c) the manner of delivering the shared user experience to the users. In determining the form of the shared experience, the CAA can optionally customize the shared resource so that it includes common-interest information and, with respect to each user, user-specific information. The CAA also includes a mechanism by which a registered user may invite a non-registered user to take part in the shared user experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Gina D. Venolia, John C. Tang, Anoop Gupta
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Patent number: 8914368Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for cross-service tagging is provided. The method includes creating connections to multiple applications, each application having multiple entities. Relationships are determined between the entities within a single application and between entities across multiple applications. A tag is associated with a selected one of the entities in a first one of the multiple applications. Entities in other applications besides the first application are identified that are related to the selected entity, based on the determined relationships. The tag is propagated across multiple applications by associating the tag with the identified entities in the other applications. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a method for inferring tags suggestions is provided. This method includes analyzing email messages to create keywords from text analysis, from bringing content and tags from other email messages or directory applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hernan Badenes, Julian Ariel Cerruti, Stephen Michael Dill, Julia Haven Grace, Nicolas Lanaro, Jerald Thomas Schoudt, John C Tang, Eric Wilcox
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Patent number: 8787593Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a target device including a first input device configured to provide a first input to the target device, a second input device configured to provide a second input to the target device, and a control mixer configured to generate an output using a policy, the first input and the second input, wherein the output comprises a feedback and a target device output, wherein the feedback comprises some function of the state of the target device, the policy, and the state of each input device connected to the control mixer.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventors: Randall B. Smith, John C. Tang, Glenn C. Scott
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Publication number: 20140195222Abstract: Various embodiments provide an interactive, shared, story-reading experience in which stories can be experienced from remote locations. Various embodiments enable augmentation or modification of audio and/or video associated with the story-reading experience. This can include augmentation and modification of a reader's voice, face, and/or other content associated with the story as the story is read.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Alan W. Peevers, John C. Tang, Nizamettin Gok, Gina Danielle Venolia, Kori Inkpen Quinn, Simon Andrew Longbottom, Kurt A. Thywissen
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Publication number: 20140191976Abstract: Various embodiments provide an interactive, shared, story-reading experience in which stories can be experienced from remote locations. Various embodiments enable augmentation or modification of audio and/or video associated with the story-reading experience. This can include augmentation and modification of a reader's voice, face, and/or other content associated with the story as the story is read.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Alan W. Peevers, John C. Tang, Nizamettin Gok, Gina Danielle Venolia, Kori Inkpen Quinn, Nitin Khanna, Simon Andrew Longbottom, Kurt A. Thywissen
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Publication number: 20140192140Abstract: Various embodiments provide an interactive, shared, story-reading experience in which stories can be experienced from remote locations. Various embodiments enable augmentation or modification of audio and/or video associated with the story-reading experience. This can include augmentation and modification of a reader's voice, face, and/or other content associated with the story as the story is read.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Alan W. Peevers, John C. Tang, Nizamettin Gok, Gina Danielle Venolia, Kori Inkpen Quinn, Nitin Khanna, Simon Andrew Longbottom, Kurt A. Thywissen, Koray Can Oztekin, Vijay Chandrasekaran
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Patent number: 8768893Abstract: A method includes generating a first table having a set of attributes for each file in a first set of files associated with a first computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the first set of files have a plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a second table having a set of attributes for each file in a second set of files associated with a second computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the second set of files have the plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a similarity table by comparing each set of attributes in the first table with each set of attributes in the second table, utilizing a predetermined similarity metric, and determining whether the first and second computer users have at least one file with common attributes, based on data in the similarity table.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Clemens Drews, Tessa Ann Lau, James Lin, John C. Tang
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Publication number: 20130229483Abstract: A communication system is described herein which provides an indicator that helps hub participants of a meeting (or other environmental setting) determine a direction of attention of a satellite participant (who is not physically present at the meeting). The indicator can be implemented as a mechanical pointer, a solid-state display mechanism, a rotating display mechanism, a display mechanism which presents visual information that reflects directionality, and so on. The communication system can assess the directionality of the satellite participant based on any combination of control inputs from explicit input mechanism(s) and/or implicit input mechanism(s). The communication system can also choose between explicit and/or implicit control of the indicator based on at least one selection criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Gina D. Venolia, George R. Robertson, John C. Tang, David M. Sirkin, Bongshin Lee
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Patent number: 8520052Abstract: A communication system is described herein which provides an indicator that helps hub participants of a meeting (or other environmental setting) determine a direction of attention of a satellite participant (who is not physically present at the meeting). The indicator can be implemented as a mechanical pointer, a solid-state display mechanism, a rotating display mechanism, a display mechanism which presents visual information that reflects directionality, and so on. The communication system can assess the directionality of the satellite participant based on any combination of control inputs from explicit input mechanism(s) and/or implicit input mechanism(s). The communication system can also choose between explicit and/or implicit control of the indicator based on at least one selection criterion.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Gina D. Venolia, George G. Robertson, John C. Tang, David M. Sirkin, Bongshin Lee
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Publication number: 20130139071Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to enabling a lightweight way of recording and sharing video messages intended to provide input to a future meeting that cannot be personally attended. A person who cannot attend the meeting pre-records their thoughts and remarks for the meeting as video clips for presentation at the meeting. A physical device with at least a display is presented at the meeting. The physically present participants can play the pre-recorded clips on the device. Video of participants' responses to the clips is recorded and made available so that the represented attendee can view the participants' responses.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Aaron Hoff, Kori Inkpen Quinn, Paul Johns, Asta Roseway, Chen Zhao, Xiang Cao, Jennifer Marlow, John C. Tang
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Patent number: 8407189Abstract: A method for assisting an administrator to identify files suspected of causing instability on a personal computer comprises periodically creating file content sharing logs concurrently with archiving files of a plurality of personal computers by de-duplicating, when a notification is received regarding instability of a personal computer, then analyzing archive file content sharing log of the personal computer made immediately after receiving the notification for unique system and program files, missing files and newly installed files to generate an instability report. A missing or corrupted file can be restored back on the unstable personal computer by performing a backup restore operation on the unstable personal computer.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Clemens Drews, Eben M. Haber, Mark A. Smith, John C. Tang
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Publication number: 20120317210Abstract: Described are systems and user interfaces for facilitating asynchronous communication with video threads. Implementations may enable members of a team to have threaded view of video messages, from which they can capture video, record their screen, and send, receive, and reply to a video message. The screen recording feature enables team members to share parts of their screen while simultaneously narrating, if desired. Video messages are threaded by topic and each conversation is visually represented.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Danyel Fisher, Aaron Hoff, Mary Czerwinski, Kori Inkpen Quinn, Jeremy Barksdale, Paul Johns, Asta Roseway, Gina Venolia, John C. Tang
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Publication number: 20120194631Abstract: A communication system is described herein which provides an indicator that helps hub participants of a meeting (or other environmental setting) determine a direction of attention of a satellite participant (who is not physically present at the meeting). The indicator can be implemented as a mechanical pointer, a solid-state display mechanism, a rotating display mechanism, a display mechanism which presents visual information that reflects directionality, and so on. The communication system can assess the directionality of the satellite participant based on any combination of control inputs from explicit input mechanism(s) and/or implicit input mechanism(s). The communication system can also choose between explicit and/or implicit control of the indicator based on at least one selection criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Gina D. Venolia, George G. Robertson, John C. Tang, David M. Sirkin, Bongshin Lee
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Publication number: 20120059830Abstract: A method includes generating a first table having a set of attributes for each file in a first set of files associated with a first computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the first set of files have a plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a second table having a set of attributes for each file in a second set of files associated with a second computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the second set of files have the plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a similarity table by comparing each set of attributes in the first table with each set of attributes in the second table, utilizing a predetermined similarity metric, and determining whether the first and second computer users have at least one file with common attributes, based on data in the similarity table.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Clemens Drews, Tessa Ann Lau, James Lin, John C. Tang
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Patent number: 8086573Abstract: A system and a method for identifying computer users having files with common attributes are provided. The method includes generating a first table having a set of attributes for each file in a first set of files associated with a first computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the first set of files have a plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a second table having a set of attributes for each file in a second set of files associated with a second computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the second set of files have the plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a similarity table by comparing each set of attributes in the first table with each set of attributes in the second table, utilizing a predetermined similarity metric, and determining whether the first and second computer users have at least one file with common attributes, based on data in the similarity table.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Clemens Drews, Tessa Ann Lau, James Lin, John C. Tang
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Publication number: 20110246482Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for cross-service tagging is provided. The method includes creating connections to multiple applications, each application having multiple entities. Relationships are determined between the entities within a single application and between entities across multiple applications. A tag is associated with a selected one of the entities in a first one of the multiple applications. Entities in other applications besides the first application are identified that are related to the selected entity, based on the determined relationships. The tag is propagated across multiple applications by associating the tag with the identified entities in the other applications. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a method for inferring tags suggestions is provided. This method includes analyzing email messages to create keywords from text analysis, from bringing content and tags from other email messages or directory applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: IBM CORPORATIONInventors: Hernan Badenes, Julian Ariel Cerruti, Stephen Michael Dill, Julia Haven Grace, Nicolas Lanaro, Jerald Thomas Schoudt, John C. Tang, Eric Wilcox
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Publication number: 20110125716Abstract: A method for assisting an administrator to identify files suspected of causing instability on a personal computer comprises periodically creating file content sharing logs concurrently with archiving files of a plurality of personal computers by de-duplicating, when a notification is received regarding instability of a personal computer, then analyzing archive file content sharing log of the personal computer made immediately after receiving the notification for unique system and program files, missing files and newly installed files to generate an instability report. A missing or corrupted file can be restored back on the unstable personal computer by performing a backup restore operation on the unstable personal computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Clemens Drews, Eben M. Haber, Mark A. Smith, John C. Tang
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Publication number: 20110093791Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing activity reuse in a collaborative environment. The method can include the step of creating a new activity instance based upon an existing activity instance. Specifically, the creating step can include the steps of selecting an activity template and creating the new activity instance based upon the selected activity template and/or selecting a portion of an existing activity instance and creating the new activity instance based upon the selected portion. In either case, the method further can include the step of applying changes to the selected portion of the existing activity instance to the new activity instance. Finally, the method can include the step of annotating the new activity instance to refine the new activity instance for reuse. For instance, the annotating step can include coordinating a collaborative annotation of the new activity instance as an activity-in-progress.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2005Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joann Ruvolo, Justin Lessler, Thomas P. Moran, Michael Muller, John C. Tang, Daniel M. Gruen, Paul B. Moody, Robert J. Stachel, Suzanne O. Minassian
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Publication number: 20080228811Abstract: A system and a method for identifying computer users having files with common attributes are provided. The method includes generating a first table having a set of attributes for each file in a first set of files associated with a first computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the first set of files have a plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a second table having a set of attributes for each file in a second set of files associated with a second computer user. The set of attributes for each file in the second set of files have the plurality of attribute types. The method further includes generating a similarity table by comparing each set of attributes in the first table with each set of attributes in the second table, utilizing a predetermined similarity metric, and determining whether the first and second computer users have at least one file with common attributes, based on data in the similarity table.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Clemens Drews, Tessa Ann Lau, James Lin, John C. Tang