Patents by Inventor Mitchell D. Forcier

Mitchell D. Forcier 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: 6502114
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 6499043
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 6493736
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 6487570
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 6442578
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 6434581
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 5953735
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 5630551
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing water in a radially uniform distribution over a surface. The reciprocating sprinkler device includes a housing, an inlet port for receiving water under pressure to the housing, at least two outlet ports capable of dispersing water in differing directions, and a reciprocating water driven valve. Each outlet port includes an opening for receiving water from within the housing. The reciprocating valve alternately covers portions of the outlet port openings as it moves, thereby modulating the flow of water between the outlet ports resulting in increasing and decreasing flows of water across a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 5590257
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 5446891
    Abstract: A smart hypermedia system that acquires user characteristics either directly or inferentially. Simple associative networks serve to model user profiles, including relationships between user goals and the hypermedia information nodes. Hypermedia links to other nodes are recommended by ranking a link list in an order that depends on one or more user profiles containing information relating to users' goals and interests. Users can teach the system directly by rearranging the order of suggested links on the list. The system can also learn indirectly by observing how long and in what sequence the user views each hypermedia information node. User profiles can be combined to form group profiles and may be dynamically and continuously updated to form an adaptive system profile. The two system learning modes may be simultaneous or disjoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Kaplan, James R. Chen, David C. Fallside, Justine R. Fenwick, Mitchell D. Forcier, Gregory J. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5231698
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script in the manner of a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user much like a pad and pencil. The pen-based computer implements enable input, editing and other manipulation of handwritten script, ASCII text and drawings in a common document using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked by the user with an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows similar gestures to be used for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 5220649
    Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The pen-based computer implements input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bitmapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier
  • Patent number: 4440512
    Abstract: A daisy wheel printer with a low mass carriage is driven by a pair of bidirectional stepping motors mounted on the printer frame. The carriage and print wheel are each driven by their respective motor through a belt and pulley drive extending side to side of the printer frame. The motors and pulleys are proportioned so that a step of either stepping motor rotates the print wheel from one character position to the next, thereby synchronizing print wheel rotation with carriage movement. The motors are driven independently, under control of a microcomputer in the printer, to vary the phase of rotation of the print wheel relative to movement of the carriage. Stops at one end of the printer frame are used to physically position the carriage and wheel to known initial locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Inventor: Mitchell D. Forcier