Patents by Inventor Joseph H. Matthews
Joseph H. Matthews 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: 7600194Abstract: Described is distinguishing between input mechanisms to determine which input mechanism was used to activate a start menu. A start menu is selected that corresponds to the input mechanism that was used to activate it. Further data corresponding to start menu interaction is received, and action is taken via based on the further interaction. For example, upon detecting activation of a start menu, how the start menu was activated from among activation types is used to present a first start menu/behavior for a first activation type, which may differ from a second start menu/behavior activated via a second activation type. For example, a determination may be made as to whether a start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard; when via keyboard, a search entry region may be provided, by which a user may directly enter search criteria via the keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Pasquale DeMaio, Matthew R. Lerner, Charles Cummins, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, David A. Matthews, Isabelo Valentin de los Reyes, Joseph H. Matthews, III
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Patent number: 7562309Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David W. Plummer, David A. Barnes
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Patent number: 7493639Abstract: The present invention includes a method of displaying for a viewer summary information relating to programming available on an interactive television or televideo system. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes obtaining a user selection indication corresponding to a scheduled program selected by the viewer from a programming guide. Based on the user selection indication, the interactive television system accesses summary information relating specifically to the program selected by the viewer. The summary information preferably includes a text description of the programming and display imagery relating to the programming. The display imagery may include a multi-frame video sequence of or relating to the programming or a still video image.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Frank A. Lawler, Joseph H. Matthews, III
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Patent number: 7454706Abstract: A shell navigation tool for a personal computer having a multiple page shell user interface and a shell component. The shell user interface utilizes navigation between multiple layers of pages to organize and display links to local and remote documents, programs, web links, tasks, services, devices, and the like. At the top level of the multiple-page shell user interface, a start page provides access via hyperlinks to lower order pages, as well as links to system settings, and a limited number of local and remote documents, web links, and programs. Lower pages in the hierarchy, referred to as “Activity Centers” may be scoped to define activity types or groups (e.g., games, web, photography, personal finance). An Activity Center page provides links to local and remote programs documents, and web links, that are related to the defined activity.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Joseph D. Belfiore, Stephen P. Capps, Hillel N. Cooperman
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Patent number: 7240296Abstract: A user interface for navigating among screens on a personal computer. The screens, which include layers of a shell user interface and various locations within applications, are presented as pages. In addition, commands and help information of an application are presented as a web of command pages. To this end, a unit of measure, called a “place” is defined. In general, an application is a place, and separate documents within an application may also define a place. Separate command windows and dialog boxes within an application or a document typically do not define a place. Backwards navigation takes the user to the previous place, and forward navigation (if possible) takes the user to the next place. Because the underlying data for a page may change between an initial visit to a page and navigation back to the page, data objects and page code are maintained separately, and are combined only when a request for a page is made.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Stephen P. Capps, Richard W. Stoakley, Joe D. Belfiore, Walter W. Smith, Bradley M. Schick, Samuel J. McKelvie, Robert V. Welland, John P. Cordell
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Patent number: 7183999Abstract: An interactive display device provides a user an interface to a host computer, allowing the user to interface with the host computer through capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host, where the display device provides processing necessary to communicate with the host, run client side software, and provide security functions.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Richard W. Stoakley
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Patent number: 7155729Abstract: A notification component that is shared between all applications that provides notifications to users without interrupting the task that the user is working and allows users to manage the notifications from one location. The user can globally set preferences as to how the notifications should be rendered. These preferences include enabling or disabling notification classifications, which rendering type they want to use for each notification classification, and priority of notifications within each notification classification. The notification component allows the user to indicate what notifications the user want to sees and how the notifications are rendered. Rendering types include audio, visual, and pager styles. An application uses an application programming interface to send notification using schema based or text based notifications. The system parses the notification and provides the user the notification through notification classifications in accordance with the user preferences.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Felix G. T. I. Andrew, J. Andrew Goossen, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, David A. Sobeski, Cecil J. Juanarena, Joseph H. Matthews, Suzan M. Andrew
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Patent number: 6971071Abstract: A system and method to display an ancillary image which is movable with a cursor image. A cursor image indication is obtained which is indicative of the cursor image. An ancillary image indication is generated based on the cursor image indication. The cursor image and the ancillary image are displayed based on the cursor image indication and the ancillary image indication.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Romualdo T. Impas, Cecil J. Juanarena, Gilman K. Wong, Joseph H. Matthews III, J. Andrew Goossen
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Patent number: 6898765Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
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Publication number: 20040235532Abstract: A portable, interactive display device is disclosed. The device presents to a user the graphical interface of a host computer. The host is separate from the display device and sits in a fixed location. The invention allows a user to carry with him the user interface capability of the host, limited only by the capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host. The host provides processing, storage, and access to its own peripheral devices. The display device need only provide the amount of processing necessary to communicate with the host, to run the client side of the hosting software, and to provide security functions. The host provides a docking station that accommodates the display device. When in the docking station, the display device continues to operate but communicates with the host through the docking station rather than through the wireless channel. This allows for a higher quality video connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Richard W. Stoakley
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Publication number: 20040210824Abstract: An interactive entertainment system enables presentation of supplemental interactive content along side traditional broadcast video programs, such as television shows and movies. The programs are broadcast in a conventional manner. The supplemental content is supplied as part of the same program signal over the broadcast network, or separately over another distribution network. A viewer computing unit is located at the viewer's home to present the program and supplemental content to a viewer. When the viewer tunes to a particular channel, the viewer computing unit consults an electronic programming guide (EPG) to determine if the present program carried on the channel is interactive. If it is, the viewer computing unit launches a browser. The browser uses a target specification stored in the EPG to activate a target resource containing the supplemental content for enhancing the broadcast program.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Shoff, Valerie L. Bronson, Joseph H. Matthews, Frank A. Lawler
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Publication number: 20040189715Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Microsoft Corp.Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, David W. Plummer, David A. Barnes
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Patent number: 6784855Abstract: A portable, interactive display device is disclosed. The device presents to a user the graphical interface of a host computer. The host is separate from the display device and sits in a fixed location. The invention allows a user to carry with him the user interface capability of the host, limited only by the capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host. The host provides processing, storage, and access to its own peripheral devices. The display device need only provide the amount of processing necessary to communicate with the host, to run the client side of the hosting software, and to provide security functions. The host provides a docking station that accommodates the display device. When in the docking station, the display device continues to operate but communicates with the host through the docking station rather than through the wireless channel. This allows for a higher quality video connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Richard W. Stoakley
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Publication number: 20040139465Abstract: An interactive entertainment system has a program provider which distributes video content programs to multiple subscribers over a distribution network. Each subscriber has a user interface unit which receives the digital video program and converts it for display on a television, monitor, or other display unit. The user interface unit has a processor and memory. An electronic programming guide (EPG) resides in the memory and is executable on the processor to organize programming information that is descriptive of the programs supplied over the interactive entertainment system. The EPG supports a user interface (UI) which visually correlates programs titles to scheduled viewing times. A hyperlink browser also resides in memory and is executable on the processor. One or more hyperlinks, which reference target resources containing interactive content related to the video programs, are integrated as part of the EPG UI.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Frank Lawler, James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne
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Patent number: 6724405Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Microsoft Corp.Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
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Patent number: 6651251Abstract: An interactive television system is provided with an interactive information system by which channels or services interact together. The information system provides informational messages that prompt a user to select an associated channel or service. If selected, the system transfers control to the selected channels or services. If necessary, information associated with the informational messages is provided to the selected channel or service. In a preferred embodiment the informational messages are sequentially displayed video segments. The video segments may be associated with other channels or services in the interactive viewing system. The user may use an input device, by depressing a single button, and launch another channel or service that is associated with the currently displayed video segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1999Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Shoff, Joseph H. Matthews, III
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Patent number: 6631523Abstract: An interactive entertainment system has a program provider which distributes video content programs to multiple subscribers over a distribution network. Each subscriber has a user interface unit which receives the digital video program and converts it for display on a television, monitor, or other display unit. The user interface unit has a processor and memory. An electronic programming guide (EPG) resides in the memory and is executable on the processor to organize programming information that is descriptive of the programs supplied over the interactive entertainment system. The EPG supports a user interface (UI) which visually correlates programs titles to scheduled viewing times. A hyperlink browser also resides in memory and is executable on the processor. One or more hyperlinks, which reference target resources containing interactive content related to the video programs, are integrated as part of the EPG UI.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1998Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, Frank Lawler, James O. Robarts, David S. Byrne
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Publication number: 20030188321Abstract: An interactive television system is provided with an interactive information system by which channels or services interact together. The information system provides informational messages that prompt a user to select an associated channel or service. If selected, the system transfers control to the selected channels or services. If necessary, information associated with the informational messages is provided to the selected channel or service. In a preferred embodiment the informational messages are sequentially displayed video segments. The video segments may be associated with other channels or services in the interactive viewing system. The user may use an input device, by depressing a single button, and launch another channel or service that is associated with the currently displayed video segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Shoff, Joseph H. Matthews
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Patent number: 6469721Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Microsoft Corp.Inventors: Joseph H. Matthews, III, David Wm. Plummer, David A. Barnes
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Patent number: RE38376Abstract: The present invention includes a method of selectively delivering programming to a viewer station (e.g., a home) on an interactive television or televideo (IT) system. The method includes delivering a message to a selected viewer station having a selected video display set. The message may be delivered while the selected viewer station receives virtually any programming over the interactive televideo system, including selected programming that is chosen by a viewer at the selected viewer station and is carried on a selected programming channel. With reference to a preferred embodiment, the IT system transmits a message signal to the selected viewer station on a communication channel different from the channels carrying the programming, including the selected programming channel. The interactive station controller receives the message signal and generates from it a viewer message.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Joseph H. Matthews, III