Patents by Inventor Melora Zaner-Godsey

Melora Zaner-Godsey 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: 9746912
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for a virtual reality entertainment system that supplies immersive entertainment and creates a sensation for a user similar to having guests in a remote location to be physically present as virtual guests. Such virtual reality entertainment system can supply a graphic and/or audio; wherein interconnected computers, video and audio processing devices, supply a live interaction between a user and a guest(s). Although guests are only present virtually (e.g., electronically present with other objects/user within the environment) such virtual invitation enables a user and guests to concurrently experience the entertainment together (e.g., a live sporting event, spectator game). In a related aspect, the subject innovation can implement holographic avatars, and a plurality of communication interfaces, to imitate (and/or transform) a relationship between the user and the virtual guests/surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Gary W. Flake, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, Christopher W. Brumme, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Daniel S. Glasser, Alexander G. Gounares, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 8705746
    Abstract: A system that enables a cloud-based data repository to function as a secure ‘drop-box’ for data that corresponds to a user is provided. The ‘drop box’ can be facilitated through the use of cryptographic keying technologies. For instance, data that is ‘dropped’ by or on behalf of a particular user can be encrypted using a public key that corresponds to a user-specific private key. Thus, although the data resides within the large pool of ‘cloud-based’ data, it is protected since it can only be decrypted by using the private key, which is kept secret. The innovation can further facilitate user-centric secure storage by partitioning the cloud-based repository into multiple partitions, each of which corresponds to specific indexing criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Raymond E Ozzie, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Alexander G. Gounares, Debi P. Mishra, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 8631082
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C. S. Rader, Alexandra K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 8601598
    Abstract: A system that enables a cloud-based data repository to function as a secure ‘drop-box’ for data that corresponds to a user is provided. The ‘drop box’ can be facilitated through the use of cryptographic keying technologies. For instance, data that is ‘dropped’ by or on behalf of a particular user can be encrypted using a public key that corresponds to a user-specific private key. Thus, although the data resides within the large pool of ‘cloud-based’ data, it is protected since it can only be decrypted by using the private key, which is kept secret. The innovation can further facilitate user-centric secure storage by partitioning the cloud-based repository into multiple partitions, each of which corresponds to specific indexing criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E Ozzie, William H. Gates, III, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Alexander G. Gounares, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Debi P. Mishra, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 8474027
    Abstract: A user-centric or identity-centric resource licensing system that manages access to ‘cloud-based’ resources (e.g., applications and services) is provided. A ‘cloud’ refers to a collection of resources (e.g., hardware and/or software) provided and maintained by an off-site or off-premise party (e.g., third party), wherein the collection of resources can be accessed by an identified user via a network. In accordance with the user-centric licensing model, the resource license (and subscription) rights can migrate with a user without regard to physical location, device used, or other contextual factors (e.g., activity engaged). Effectively, the rights are mapped (and tracked) as a function of a user identity, which can be a core identity or an identity based upon activity engaged, role, capacity, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Lili Cheng, Nishant V. Dani, Daniel S. Glasser, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 8341233
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C. S. Rader, Alexander K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 8341405
    Abstract: A system that can assist users to manage a personal active directory for all of their information maintained within a cloud-based environment is provided. The identity of a client that accesses data is monitored and recorded in a log. In turn, this information can be made available to the owner of the information in order to develop a desired access control list (ACL). Additionally, the system can employ a heuristic component that can automatically establish the ACL on the owner's behalf. As well, the system can track how information is being accessed (or attempted to be accessed) by other people therefore, giving the owner of the information the opportunity to restrict or allow access based upon any number of recorded factors (e.g., identity, context).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Lili Cheng, Daniel S. Glasser, Ira L Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Publication number: 20120072515
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C.S. Rader, Alexandra K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 8086686
    Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C. S. Rader, Alexander K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 8012023
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for a virtual reality entertainment system that supplies immersive entertainment and creates a sensation for a user similar to having guests in a remote location to be physically present as virtual guests. Such virtual reality entertainment system can supply a graphic and/or audio; wherein interconnected computers, video and audio processing devices, supply a live interaction between a user and a guest(s). Although guests are only present virtually (e.g., electronically present with other objects/user within the environment) such virtual invitation enables a user and guests to concurrently experience the entertainment together (e.g., a live sporting event, spectator game). In a related aspect, the subject innovation can implement holographic avatars, and a plurality of communication interfaces, to imitate (and/or transform) a relationship between the user and the virtual guests/surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Gates, III, Gary W. Flake, Alexander G. Gounares, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, Christopher W. Brumme, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Daniel S. Glasser, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 7930197
    Abstract: Personal data mining mechanisms and methods are employed to identify relevant information that otherwise would likely remain undiscovered. Users supply personal data that can be analyzed in conjunction with data associated with a plurality of other users to provide useful information that can improve business operations and/or quality of life. Personal data can be mined alone or in conjunction with third party data to identify correlations amongst the data and associated users. Applications or services can interact with such data and present it to users in a myriad of manners, for instance as notifications of opportunities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ozzie, William H. Gates, III, Gary W. Flake, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, Christopher W. Brumme, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Nishant V. Dani, Dane A. Glasgow, Daniel S. Glasser, Alexander G. Gounares, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Chandramohan A. Thekkath, David R. Treadwell, III, Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Publication number: 20110072098
    Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C. S. Rader, Alexandra K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 7865563
    Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C. S. Rader, Alexandra K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 7783708
    Abstract: Attachment browser is described. In an embodiment, an attachment browser displays a selection of communications received from multiple sources where each of the communications has an attachment. A representative image of each attachment is organized for display according to an attribute of the respective attachment, and a portion of each communication is displayed proximate an associated representative image to maintain the association of a communication and a respective attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Melora Zaner-Godsey, Asta Roseway, Eun-Kyung Chung, Martin J. Hall, Tammy L Savage, Hosea Frank
  • Patent number: 7716150
    Abstract: Systems and methods that analyze aggregated tagging behavior of users, and evaluate such tagging trends to identify criteria for taxonomy applications. Initially, existence of a possible trend of tagging data based on collective user behavior is determined. Subsequently, tagging trends can be examined to identify that a predetermined convergence criteria has in fact been met, and/or establish such criteria for taxonomy applications. Machine learning systems (implicitly as well as explicitly trained) can be supplied to facilitate determining the trends and the convergence criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lili Cheng, Gary W. Flake, Alexander G. Gounares, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Raymond E. Ozzie, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, Christopher W. Brumme, Michael Connolly, Daniel S. Glasser, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Debi P. Mishra, Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 7689524
    Abstract: An intelligent personalized agent monitors, regulates, and advises a user in decision-making processes for efficiency or safety concerns. The agent monitors an environment and present characteristics of a user and analyzes such information in view of stored preferences specific to one of multiple profiles of the user. Based on the analysis, the agent can suggest or automatically implement a solution to a given issue or problem. In addition, the agent can identify another potential issue that requires attention and suggests or implements action accordingly. Furthermore, the agent can communicate with other users or devices by providing and acquiring information to assist in future decisions. All aspects of environment observation, decision assistance, and external communication can be flexibly limited or allowed as desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ozzie, William H. Gates, III, Gary W. Flake, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, William J. Bolosky, Christopher W. Brumme, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Dane A. Glasgow, Daniel S. Glasser, Alexander G. Gounares, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Chandramohan A. Thekkath, Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Publication number: 20100057754
    Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C.S. Rader, Alexandra K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 7672909
    Abstract: Systems and methods that recognize items based on aggregated tagging behavior of users regarding the items. Individual users can establish relationships among tagged items and the system analyzes aggregate of such established relationships, to recognize the item and/or infer additional information regarding the items (e.g., wisdom of crowd such as metadata annotations, relevance ranking, and the like). Subsequently, search engine crawlers can be supplied with such additional information (e.g., extra metadata for reverse link search tables) to facilitate enterprise management and search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, Raymond E. Ozzie, Gary W. Flake, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, Christopher W. Brumme, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Daniel S. Glasser, Alexander G. Gounares, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Debi P. Mishra, Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Patent number: 7657493
    Abstract: Personal data mining mechanisms and methods are employed to identify relevant information that otherwise would likely remain undiscovered. Users supply personal data that can be analyzed in conjunction with data associated with a plurality of other users to provide useful information that can improve business operations and/or quality of life. Personal data can be mined alone or in conjunction with third party data to identify correlations amongst the data and associated users. Applications or services can interact with such data and present it to users in a myriad of manners, for instance as notifications of opportunities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, William H. Gates, III, Raymond E. Ozzie, Gary W. Flake, Thomas F. Bergstraesser, Arnold N. Blinn, Christopher W. Brumme, Lili Cheng, Michael Connolly, Nishant V. Dani, Dane A. Glasgow, Daniel S. Glasser, Alexander G. Gounares, James R. Larus, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Debi P. Mishra, Amit Mital, Ira L. Snyder, Jr., Chandramohan A. Thekkath, David R. Treadwell, III, Melora Zaner-Godsey
  • Publication number: 20090327054
    Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a personal reputation system based on user behavior and activity within one or more social networks, and the migration of reputation-based data therein. One embodiment is implemented as a system for developing the personal reputations of users of the system belonging to a shared social network. Each user is associated with a personal profile, which represents the user within the social network. Each personal profile includes a personal reputation index representing the reputation of the corresponding user of the system, one or more personal tags attached to the personal profile, and a list of other users with acknowledged affiliations with the corresponding user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Goden YAO, April TU, Melora ZANER-GODSEY