Patents by Inventor John R. Matheny

John R. Matheny 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: 11938067
    Abstract: A patient containment system for securing a patient to a patient transport apparatus, comprising a first lower strap and a second lower strap. Each of the first lower strap and the second lower strap have a thigh region, a waist region, and a connection region arranged between the thigh region and the waist region. A first connector is coupled to the connection region of the first lower strap. A second connector is coupled to the connection region of the second lower strap, and is configured to releasably attach to the first connector to at least partially limit movement of the first lower strap relative to the second lower strap. The connection region defines a connection width, and the thigh region defines a thigh width larger than the connection width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel V. Brosnan, Melvin Gottschalk, Jr., Zachary Baker, Scott I. Biba, Erik P. Eagleman, Cory P. Herbst, Nathan W. Matheny, Trey Thomas Pfeiffer, Kelly Sandmeyer, Jeffrey R. Staszak, John Wallace, James K. Galer, James Robert Tumavich, Jr., Kevin M. Patmore, Scott Zufall
  • Patent number: 8621501
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to commercials by incentivizing viewers to watch. Viewers are notified that they can receive rewards for answering one or more questions during or at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
  • Publication number: 20110067045
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to commercials by incentivizing viewers to watch. Viewers are notified that they can receive rewards for answering one or more questions during or at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
  • Patent number: 7885517
    Abstract: A television receiving system displays an advertisement for a future television program. If the future television program is identified as recordable, the system also displays an option to set a reminder for the advertised program and/or an option to record the advertised program on a video recorder. If a viewer of the advertisement selects the reminder option, then a reminder is programmed in the system. If the viewer selects the record option, then the system automatically programs the video recorder to record the advertised program. If the viewer has established an interactive session during a television advertisement, and has not completed the interactive session when the advertisement ends, then the current television program is paused until the interactive session is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, Sharon F. Glusker, John R. Matheny
  • Patent number: 7840975
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to television programs, commercials in particular, by offering viewers some incentive to watch. In one embodiment, viewers are notified that they can receive frequent-flier miles for answering one or more simple questions at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and that the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
  • Patent number: 7676138
    Abstract: A television receiving system displays an advertisement for a future television program. If the future television program is identified as recordable, the system also displays an option to set a reminder for the advertised program and/or an option to record the advertised program on a video recorder. If a viewer of the advertisement selects the reminder option, then a reminder is programmed in the system. If the viewer selects the record option, then the system automatically programs the video recorder to record the advertised program. If the viewer has established an interactive session during a television advertisement, and has not completed the interactive session when the advertisement ends, then the current television program is paused until the interactive session is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, Sharon F. Glusker, John R. Matheny
  • Patent number: 7305692
    Abstract: A television receiving system displays an advertisement for a future television program. If the future television program is identified as recordable, the system also displays an option to set a reminder for the advertised program and/or an option to record the advertised program on a video recorder. If a viewer of the advertisement selects the reminder option, then a reminder is programmed in the system. If the viewer selects the record option, then the system automatically programs the video recorder to record the advertised program. If the viewer has established an interactive session during a television advertisement, and has not completed the interactive session when the advertisement ends, then the current television program is paused until the interactive session is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, Sharon F. Glusker, John R. Matheny
  • Patent number: 7197758
    Abstract: A television program is received that includes an index that identifies multiple television program segments contained in the television program. The index of program segments is displayed to a television viewer, and the television viewer is allowed to select at least one program segment for recording. The index of program segments can identify the name of each program segment, the time period during which each program segment is transmitted, the program type for each program segment, the content rating for each program segment, or whether the viewer is required to watch a particular program segment. The selected program segments may be recorded on a video recorder. The television viewer is also allowed to select the order of viewing of the program segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, John R. Matheny
  • Publication number: 20040205810
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to television programs, commercials in particular, by offering viewers some incentive to watch. In one embodiment, viewers are notified that they can receive frequent-flier miles for answering one or more simple questions at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and that the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
  • Patent number: 6766524
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to television programs, commercials in particular, by offering viewers some incentive to watch. In one embodiment, viewers are notified that they can receive frequent-flier miles for answering one or more simple questions at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and that the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: WebTV Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
  • Patent number: 6424354
    Abstract: An event notification system for propagating object-change information. The notification system supports change notification without queues in an object-based application or operating system and can be scaled to propagate large numbers of events among a large plurality of objects. The event notification system interconnects a plurality of event source and event receiver objects. Any object, such as a command object, may operate as either an event receiver object, an event source object or both. A notification object is created by a source object to transport, from a source to a receiver, descriptive information about a change, which includes a particular receiver object method and a pointer to the source object that sent the notification. A receiver object must register with a connection object its “interest” in receiving notification of changes; specifying both the event type and the particular source object of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Object Technology Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson, Arn J. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6259446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a menu based system containing size and location information is disclosed. Each menu contains a list of menu items containing a command and variables that reflect the command's current appearance. This includes status information determinative of the menu item's state (enabled/disabled), its name, its associated graphic, and whether its appearance is currently valid. Each of these were initialized when the menu item was created. The invention creates a menu item from a command, where a menu item is another object data structure containing a command sequence. The menu item is added to a list of menu items, and initialized as an invalid appearance. Later when the menu item is selected from a pull down menu, the appearance state is recomputed based on the system state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Object Technology Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson, Arn J. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 5583982
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a dialog processing system is disclosed. Dialogs include variables that reflect the system's current state. This includes status information determinative of a command's state (enabled/disabled), its name, its associated graphic, and whether its appearance is currently valid. The invention creates a dialog including an object's data structure containing a command sequence. The command is added to a list of commands, and a dialog box is presented to the user. Later when the dialog is processed, the appearance state is recomputed based on the system state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Object Technology Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5550563
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an innovative object oriented system. The sequence of events corresponding to a user pressing, moving, and releasing the mouse is called the input syntax. Certain sequences of events are used to indicate particular actions, called semantic operations. This invention discloses the method and apparatus for translating input syntax into semantic operations for an object that supports Select, Peek, Move, AutoScroll, and Drag/Drop (Copy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Taligent, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White
  • Patent number: 5551055
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating an application to conform to unique requirements of a specific locale. The update involves language translation, graphic substitution, and interface element reorientation. For example, the text used in labels, titles, and messages depends upon the selected language. Its direction and orientation may affect the placement and orientation of a menu, menubar, title, scrollbar, or toolbar. Similarly, the selection of icons and other graphical symbols may be culturally dependent. Once localized, user interface elements are stored in a disk dictionary. A disk dictionary is an object that, when given a key, returns a value after reading it in from disk. This disk dictionary is managed by an object called an archive. An archive is responsible for putting together the individual user interface elements that make up a particular presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Taligent, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, Mark E. Davis
  • Patent number: 5530864
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a command system is disclosed. Commands include variables that reflect the command's current appearance. This includes status information determinative of the command's state (enabled/disabled), its name, its associated graphic, and whether its appearance is currently valid. Each of these were initialized when the command was created. The invention creates a command including an object's data structure containing a command sequence. The command is added to a list of commands, and initialized as an invalid appearance. Later when the command is selected, the appearance state is recomputed based on the system state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Taligent
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5517606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an object based notification system. The notification system is designed in a flexible manner to support change notification in an object based operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Taligent, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson, Arnold Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 5479601
    Abstract: An object-oriented user interface utilizes object-oriented controls that operate together as a single, atomic group to change data values and are affected as a group by conventional editing "undo" and "redo" actions. In accordance with one embodiment, each control in the group generates a command which modifies a stored control value when the control is manipulated by a user. In response to user activation, a group acceptance control generates a command which causes the data values to be changed to the stored control values. In accordance with another embodiment, each control in the group generates a command which modifies the group acceptance control command. When the group acceptance control command is finally activated, the modified command causes the data values to be changed. The entire control group can also be undone and redone in a single atomic operation which is implemented by placing a mark on an undo stack when an interface session involving a control group is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Taligent, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5434965
    Abstract: A method, system for providing help information to assist in using an object oriented operating system. The help technique is also oriented to the particular area on the screen that is indicated by a portion of the help information. When a user drags an object on a display screen and drops the object in close proximity with another object, a help display is presented with an indicator pointing to the associated area on the display. The help display provides information on the viability of the drop action and aids the user in navigating through the operation. In a preferred embodiment, the help display is presented in a balloon display pointing to the objects upon which the operation is transpiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Taligent, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David B. Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 5367633
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an object based notification system. The notification system is designed in a flexible manner to support change notification in an object based operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Taligent, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson