Patents by Inventor Kent D. Sullivan

Kent D. Sullivan 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).

  • Taskbar with start menu
    Patent number: 5920316
    Abstract: A taskbar is provided that supplies visual cues, such as buttons, for each application having an active window. These visual cues inform a user of the currently active windows and may be used to display the active windows. The taskbar may also include a start menu button that enables a user to gain access to a menu for launching programs, opening documents and controlling system settings. The taskbar is resizable and may be anchored to different locations on a video display. The taskbar may operate in a mode where it is not obscurable by other windows. The taskbar may also be displayed in a mode where it is not displayed when another window is in a non-minimized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Oran, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, Chee H. Chew, Joseph D. Belfiore, Mark A. Malamud, Jeffrey L. Bogdan, Kent D. Sullivan
  • Taskbar with start menu
    Patent number: 5757371
    Abstract: A taskbar is provided that supplies visual cues, such as buttons, for each application having an active window. These visual cues inform a user of the currently active windows and may be used to display the active windows. The taskbar may also include a start menu button that enables a user to gain access to a menu for launching programs, opening documents and controlling system settings. The taskbar is resizable and may be anchored to different locations on a video display. The taskbar may operate in a mode where it is not obscurable by other windows. The taskbar may also be displayed in a mode where it is not displayed when another window is in a non-minimized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Oran, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, Chee H. Chew, Joseph D. Belfiore, Mark A. Malamud, Jeffrey L. Bogdan, Kent D. Sullivan