Patents by Inventor John E. Churchill

John E. Churchill 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: 10642827
    Abstract: Functionality is described herein for presenting representations of the z most recently presented items. The functionality also presents indicators which convey the presentation modes that were last used to present the z items. When the user selects one of the z items, the functionality presents it, as a default, using the last-used presentation mode, as conveyed by the indicator associated with this item. In one particular case, the last-used presentation mode corresponds to a full mode or a snap mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas R. Fuller, Jason D. Giles
  • Patent number: 10452749
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of ordered tiles is sequentially fit into a first open location within a scrollable two-dimensional matrix. The open locations into which any particular tile may be fit are limited by a non-zero, positive offset value that specifies how far from an immediately previous tile that tile may be backfilled into the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Lynnette Reed, John E. Churchill, Alexandra Cabral
  • Patent number: 9910884
    Abstract: Functionality is described herein for presenting representations of the z most recently presented items. The functionality also presents indicators which convey the presentation modes that were last used to present the z items. When the user selects one of the z items, the functionality presents it, as a default, using the last-used presentation mode, as conveyed by the indicator associated with this item. In one particular case, the last-used presentation mode corresponds to a full mode or a snap mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas R. Fuller, Jason D. Giles
  • Publication number: 20170371920
    Abstract: Functionality is described herein for presenting representations of the z most recently presented items. The functionality also presents indicators which convey the presentation modes that were last used to present the z items. When the user selects one of the z items, the functionality presents it, as a default, using the last-used presentation mode, as conveyed by the indicator associated with this item. In one particular case, the last-used presentation mode corresponds to a full mode or a snap mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John E. CHURCHILL, Joseph WHEELER, Jérôme Jean-Louis VASSEUR, Thomas R. FULLER, Jason D. GILES
  • Patent number: 9767142
    Abstract: Functionality is described herein for presenting representations of the z most recently presented items. The functionality also presents indicators which convey the presentation modes that were last used to present the z items. When the user selects one of the z items, the functionality presents it, as a default, using the last-used presentation mode, as conveyed by the indicator associated with this item. In one particular case, the last-used presentation mode corresponds to a full mode or a snap mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas R. Fuller, Jason D. Giles
  • Patent number: 9720567
    Abstract: Multitasking and full screen menu contexts are described. In one or more implementations, an input is received to cause output of a menu in a user interface of a computing device. Responsive to this receipt, a determination is made as which of a plurality of portions displayed simultaneously in the user interface in a multitasking mode has focus, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to an output of a respective one of a plurality of applications. Responsive to the determination, output is caused of the menu as associated with the focused portion of the user interface and having a representation of at least one function based the focused portion, the representation selectable to cause performance of the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jerome Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas Fuller, Jason Dean Giles
  • Publication number: 20150278994
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of ordered tiles is sequentially fit into a first open location within a scrollable two-dimensional matrix. The open locations into which any particular tile may be fit are limited by a non-zero, positive offset value that specifies how far from an immediately previous tile that tile may be backfilled into the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lynnette Reed, John E. Churchill, Alexandra Cabral
  • Publication number: 20150234545
    Abstract: Multitasking and full screen menu contexts are described. In one or more implementations, an input is received to cause output of a menu in a user interface of a computing device. Responsive to this receipt, a determination is made as which of a plurality of portions displayed simultaneously in the user interface in a multitasking mode has focus, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to an output of a respective one of a plurality of applications. Responsive to the determination, output is caused of the menu as associated with the focused portion of the user interface and having a representation of at least one function based the focused portion, the representation selectable to cause performance of the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jerome Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas Fuller, Jason Dean Giles
  • Publication number: 20150199086
    Abstract: Functionality is described for activating a service which presents a collection of items that are capable of being presented in a particular presentation mode. Upon a user's selection of one of them items, the functionality presents it in the particular mode. In one implementation, the particular presentation mode corresponds to a snap mode, in which the selected item is presented in a side display portion of a split-screen output presentation. The service itself constitutes an application which provides an output in the snap mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas R. Fuller, Jason D. Giles
  • Publication number: 20150199085
    Abstract: Functionality is described herein for presenting representations of the z most recently presented items. The functionality also presents indicators which convey the presentation modes that were last used to present the z items. When the user selects one of the z items, the functionality presents it, as a default, using the last-used presentation mode, as conveyed by the indicator associated with this item. In one particular case, the last-used presentation mode corresponds to a full mode or a snap mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas R. Fuller, Jason D. Giles
  • Publication number: 20150128042
    Abstract: A user interface (“UI”) includes a personalized home screen that can be brought up at any time from any experience provided by applications, games, movies, television, and other content that is available on a computing platform such as a multimedia console using a single button press on a controller, using a “home” gesture, or using a “home” voice command. The home screen features a number of dynamically maintained visual objects called tiles that represent the experiences available on the console. An application can be “snapped” to the application that fills the PIP so that the snapped application renders into a separate window that is placed next to the UI for the filled application. The user interface is further adapted so that the user can quickly and easily switch focus between the tiles in the home screen and resume an experience in full screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Vasseur, Thomas Fuller
  • Patent number: 8280923
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to effectively visualize the mapping between two schemas, referred to herein as a source schema (or first schema) and a destination schema (or second schema), regardless of the size or complexity of the schemas and mappings. According to one aspect of the present invention a method for visually representing a mapping between a first schema and a second schema is provided. The method includes receiving a selection of an object, emphasizing the selected object and identifying a plurality of objects that are relevant to the selected object. The objects that are identified as being relevant to the selected object are also emphasized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, John E Churchill, Mary P Czerwinski, Prasad Sripathi Panditharadhya, Uday Bhaskara
  • Patent number: 7665062
    Abstract: A system and methodology for design-time dynamic class type construction is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Borland Software Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Bauer, John E. Churchill
  • Publication number: 20090125512
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to effectively visualize the mapping between two schemas, referred to herein as a source schema (or first schema) and a destination schema (or second schema), regardless of the size or complexity of the schemas and mappings. According to one aspect of the present invention a method for visually representing a mapping between a first schema and a second schema is provided. The method includes receiving a selection of an object, emphasizing the selected object and identifying a plurality of objects that are relevant to the selected object. The objects that are identified as being relevant to the selected object are also emphasized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, John E. Churchill, Mary P. Czerwinski, Prasad Sripathi Panditharadhya, Uday K. Bhaskara
  • Patent number: 7478079
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to effectively visualize the mapping between two schemas, referred to herein as a source schema (or first schema) and a destination schema (or second schema), regardless of the size or complexity of the schemas and mappings. According to one aspect of the present invention a method for visually representing a mapping between a first schema and a second schema is provided. The method includes receiving a selection of an object, emphasizing the selected object and identifying a plurality of objects that are relevant to the selected object. The objects that are identified as being relevant to the selected object are also emphasized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, John E. Churchill, Mary P. Czerwinski, Prasad Sripathi Panditharadhya, Udaya K. Bhaskara
  • Patent number: 4729656
    Abstract: An electrothermal atomizer comprises a tubular graphite body (1) whose ends are clamped between two pairs of graphite contact members (2,4;3,5) which are arranged to form a containment zone for the tubular body (1). The graphite contact members (2,4;3,5) clamp the ends of the tubular body (1) in a radial direction and are separable from each other by an upwardly pivotting movement of the members (2,3). The lower contact members (4,5) are urged towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (1) by means of a leaf spring (42) so that when the clamping force on the tubular body (1) is released by raising the upper contact members (2,3) the tubular body (1) is lightly retained by the lower contact members (4,5). Thus easy access for adjusting the orientation of the tubular body (1) can be obtained, for example to adjust the orientation of the dosing aperture and/or probe entry slot (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Michael D. Flack, David S. Widmer
  • Patent number: 4647200
    Abstract: An electrothermal atomizer comprises a graphite tubular member (1) which is clamped between two pairs of graphite contact members (3,5). The contact members are provided with semicircular grooves (14,22) between which the tubular member is clamped with a sufficient force to flex the wall of the tubular member to conform to the profile of the grooves. This arrangement improves the electrical contact between the tubular member (1) and the contact members (3,5) as contact over an area is provided rather than point or line contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Widmer, John E. Churchill
  • Patent number: 4541291
    Abstract: In automatic sampling arrangements for supplying liquid samples to analytical instruments, the samples are placed in open bottles in a circular ring in a turntable. The turntable is driven in rotation by a drive assembly under a sampling mechanism. To increase the storage capacity of the turntable, in accordance with the invention, a second ring of bottles is provided at a different radius to the first ring. The circumference of the turntable is provided with cut-outs with which the driving assembly engages. The driving assembly adopts one of two positions depending on the state of engagement with the cut-outs. The sampling mechanism is coupled to the driving assembly such that it adopts one of two positions in synchronism with the driving assembly positions with the first and second positions of the sampling mechanism lying on one or the other of the circular rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Trevor J. Stockdale
  • Patent number: 4501164
    Abstract: In automatic sampling arrangements for supplying liquid samples to analytical instruments, it is convenient to have the samples in open bottles (21) in circular ranks (16), (17) in a turntable (1) indexed in rotation under a sampling mechanism (27). It is desirable to maintain the turntable horizontal while being inserted into a compartment (4) containing the sampling mechanism and a turntable drive assembly (24). Also, for easy operation, it is desirable that the turntable need not be registered accurately in the compartment. The arrangement is constructed so that the turntable is inserted, via an aperture (6) into the compartment in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation. The turntable is located by three bearing surfaces (29), (31) and (24) which engage the circumference of the turntable, the driving assembly (24) being one of the bearing surfaces and also engaging the circumference to rotate the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor J. Stockdale, John E. Churchill
  • Patent number: 4470105
    Abstract: A kinematic lamp mount for mounting a spectral source lamp (3) such as a hollow cathode lamp accurately with respect to an optical axis of, for example an atomic absorption spectrophotometer comprises a base member (100), a lamp holder (1) and two spring means (120, 121) which urge the holder (1) into contact with the base member (100). The holder (1) is provided with three ball ended feet (6,8,10) two of which (6,8) are adjustable. Two feet (6 and 10) engage in an arcuate V-groove (102) while the third engages in a radial V-groove (103) giving kinematic connection between the holder (1) and base member (100).By providing kinematic connection between the holder (1) and base member (100) the lamp holder (1) and hence the lamp (3) may be removed from and later replaced sufficiently accurately on the base member (100) that no re-adjustment is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Churchill