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).
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Patent number: 11938067Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8621501Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
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Publication number: 20110067045Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
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Patent number: 7885517Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, Sharon F. Glusker, John R. Matheny
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Patent number: 7840975Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
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Patent number: 7676138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, Sharon F. Glusker, John R. Matheny
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Patent number: 7305692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, Sharon F. Glusker, John R. Matheny
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Patent number: 7197758Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Dean J. Blackketter, Timothy F. Park, Daniel J. Zigmond, John R. Matheny
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Publication number: 20040205810Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
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Patent number: 6766524Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: WebTV Networks, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Daniel J. Zigmond
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Patent number: 6424354Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Object Technology Licensing CorporationInventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson, Arn J. Schaeffer
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Patent number: 6259446Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Object Technology Licensing CorporationInventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson, Arn J. Schaeffer
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Patent number: 5583982Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 1994Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Object Technology Licensing CorporationInventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson
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Patent number: 5550563Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Taligent, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White
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Patent number: 5551055Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Taligent, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, Mark E. Davis
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Patent number: 5530864Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: TaligentInventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson
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Patent number: 5517606Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 1994Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Taligent, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson, Arnold Schaeffer
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Patent number: 5479601Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Taligent, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson
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Patent number: 5434965Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: Taligent, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David B. Goldsmith
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Patent number: 5367633Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 1994Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Assignee: Taligent, Inc.Inventors: John R. Matheny, Christopher White, David R. Anderson