Patents by Inventor Neil W. Black

Neil W. Black 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).

  • Publication number: 20230205862
    Abstract: A single sign-on facility providing access across multiple application instances is described. The facility receives sign-in data from a user that includes a sign-in name and password. The facility generates a modified sign-in name by adding information identifying a particular application instance to the received sign-in name. The facility then acts on behalf of the user based upon the generated modified sign-in name and the received password.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Shivudu Bhuvanagiri, Soumya Sanyal, Christopher J. Hasz, Neil W. Black, Aaron Martin, Sebastian Jayaraj
  • Patent number: 9110873
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for generating a platform-independent data application. In one method, a definition of a data schema is received for defining data types. A definition of a user interface is also received for access data stored in the data types. Further, a definition of business logic is received for enforcing validation rules and actions associated with the data types. The definitions of the data schema, the user interface, and the business logic are each received in a platform-independent format and used to generate the platform-independent data application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary P. Woodall, Vijay Mital, Gregory S. Lindhorst, Steven Miles Greenberg, Clinton Dee Covington, Pavel R. Karimov, Neil W. Black, Andrew Robert Miller, Robert Scott Cooper, Michael J. Eatough
  • Patent number: 8793065
    Abstract: Oftentimes individuals have a number of objectives to complete while traveling in a vehicle. The objectives can be arranged automatically and an associated route can be produced such that the objectives can be completed in an effective manner. Data related to the objectives can be collected such as a traffic pattern on paths near a location the objective is to take place. Locations for the objectives to be completed can be determined automatically as well as provided by user. Analysis of the collected data can take place and based on a result of the analysis, an efficient route is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker
  • Patent number: 8793066
    Abstract: A user can be compensated for taking detours from a projected route. Commonly, the reason for the compensation is that the user will be subjected to advertising, the user will pass by an establishment she is likely to visit, or to ease traffic congestion. Analysis of an area takes place and monetization opportunities are determined based upon the results of the analysis. A route between at least about two locations can be altered such that the user is provided a reward, commonly in an optimized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ruston Panabaker, John C. Krumm, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black
  • Patent number: 8473198
    Abstract: When users travel to an intended destination, a plurality of information can be beneficial to assist their travel. If a person is traveling to a crowded event, then information can be provided such that congested traffic areas can be provided. There can be financial opportunities available in relation to providing information concerning an intended destination. An advertiser can pay money to have information played about the advertiser when it relates to the intended destination. Furthermore, a user can pay money for detailed data concerning an intended location, such as where cheapest parking is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black
  • Patent number: 8428859
    Abstract: A route can be generated through utilization of a conventional manner, such as a portable electronic device accessing a database with roads, traffic information, weather data, and the like. As a user approaches a private area, the route can be augmented with travel information concerning the private area. Artificial intelligence techniques can be used to determine if a route should be augmented, to infer what augmentations to make, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Lews Seltzer, John C. Krumm, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Ruston Panabaker, Neil W. Black
  • Patent number: 8090532
    Abstract: As a pedestrian travels, various difficulties can be encountered, such as traveling through an unsafe neighborhood or being in an open area that is subject to harsh temperatures. A route can be developed for a person taking into account factors that specifically affect a pedestrian. Moreover, the route can alter as a situation of a user changes; for instance, if a user wants to add a stop along a route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan J. Tashev, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Patent number: 8060297
    Abstract: A user can intend to travel between different locations and employ different traveling manners to reach an intended travel destination. At different points, different devices can be employed for disclosing a route. For instance, as a user walks, a route can be integrated into a personal electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. An evaluation can take place that due to specific route details, for example detailed text, a particular device would be superior for presentment over another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Ivan J. Tashev, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Patent number: 7890532
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media implementing various aspects of complex data in a conceptual table are disclosed which enable complex data in the form of tables to be added to a conceptual table. The complex data can map to scalar values in a plurality of data tables. Complex data may be entered via data modeling methods, accessed via cursoring methods, and queried via query expansion methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Cole, Gloria M. Godfrey, Neil W. Black, Sumit Chauhan, Suraj T. Poozhiyil
  • Publication number: 20090327328
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for generating a platform-independent data application. In one method, a definition of a data schema is received for defining data types. A definition of a user interface is also received for access data stored in the data types. Further, a definition of business logic is received for enforcing validation rules and actions associated with the data types. The definitions of the data schema, the user interface, and the business logic are each received in a platform-independent format and used to generate the platform-independent data application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary Woodall, Vijay Mital, Gregory S. Lindhorst, Steven Miles Greenberg, Clinton Dee Covington, Pavel R. Karimov, Neil W. Black, Andrew Robert Miller, Robert Scott Cooper, Michael J. Eatough
  • Publication number: 20090210143
    Abstract: Oftentimes individuals have a number of objectives to complete while traveling in a vehicle. The objectives can be arranged automatically and an associated route can be produced such that the objectives can be completed in an effective manner. Data related to the objectives can be collected such as a traffic pattern on paths near a location the objective is to take place. Locations for the objectives to be completed can be determined automatically as well as provided by user. Analysis of the collected data can take place and based on a result of the analysis, an efficient route is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker
  • Publication number: 20090210142
    Abstract: Routes can be produced based on safety characteristics of paths that are included in the route. Safety characteristics can include how susceptible an area surrounding a path is to crime as well as traffic data, such as how many automobile accidents take place on average. Various amounts of safety information can be gathered and a particular path can be assigned a safety score. Analysis can run on different path combinations that would take a user from a starting point to an intended destination. A route can be produced based on the safety score alone, such as a route with a lowest score, based on the safety score with other factors such as anticipated traffic, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20090210242
    Abstract: A user can be provided a variety of incentives to take a route that is different from a standard path in order to relieve path load balancing issues. Information on a primary path can be collected and analyzed to determine if it would be beneficial to encourage users to take an alternate path. If it is determined that users should be encouraged to take another path, then analysis of potential users can occur. A result of the user analysis can be used to select users that are offered to take the alternate path as well as an incentive offered to the user to encourage her to take the alternate path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil W. Black, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20090210276
    Abstract: Individuals can be organized into travel groups in plans constructed in advance or in real-time to save resources and travel in an efficient manner. Multi-segment trips between starting points and destinations can be constructed with several vehicles, including private, public, and commercial transportation assets. Numerous requests for real-time or planned recurrent commutes by a population of users can be considered in a larger analysis that seeks to optimize one or more attributes such as vehicle usage and/or greenhouse emissions. Data concerning multiple related individuals can be gathered and analyzed—based upon the analysis, a determination can be made if it is logical to group individuals together such that they physically travel together. A transportation asset provider and/or individuals can be offered a reward to become part of the travel group and/or to perform specific tasks related to the travel group, such as using a vehicle with a certain fuel type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John C. Krumm, Eric J. Horvitz, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev
  • Publication number: 20090210302
    Abstract: Different incentives can be provided to a user for the user to take different routes. Information related to a user's specific situation can be gathered and a reward can be associated with a route. A user can input an intended destination and different routes can be taken, where the routes have various characteristics. The route can be analyzed and a determination can be made as to what routes can be associated with a user taking a particular route. Commonly, different companies can supply rewards such that the user travels past their advertisement or makes a stop at their store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ivan J. Tashev, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black
  • Publication number: 20090157302
    Abstract: As a pedestrian travels, various difficulties can be encountered, such as traveling through an unsafe neighborhood or being in an open area that is subject to harsh temperatures. A route can be developed for a person taking into account factors that specifically affect a pedestrian. Moreover, the route can alter as a situation of a user changes; for instance, if a user wants to add a stop along a route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ivan J. Tashev, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20090157311
    Abstract: A route can be generated through utilization of a conventional manner, such as a portable electronic device accessing a database with roads, traffic information, weather data, and the like. As a user approaches a private area, the route can be augmented with travel information concerning the private area. Artificial intelligence techniques can be used to determine if a route should be augmented, to infer what augmentations to make, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Lewis Seltzer, John C. Krumm, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Ruston Panabaker, Neil W. Black
  • Publication number: 20090157312
    Abstract: A route can be generated that considers social networking information. For instance, a user can be traveling on vacation and individuals designated by a user can add comments to a route. In addition, previous journeys of user contacts can be evaluated and based upon the evaluation results, portions of a route can be constructed. Further functionality can include transferring rewards between parties for disclosing information as well as posting information on various social networking profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20090157583
    Abstract: A user can intend to travel between different locations and employ different traveling manners to reach an intended travel destination. At different points, different devices can be employed for disclosing a route. For instance, as a user walks, a route can be integrated into a personal electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. An evaluation can take place that due to specific route details, for example detailed text, a particular device would be superior for presentment over another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Neil W. Black, John C. Krumm, Ruston Panabaker, Ivan J. Tashev, Michael Lewis Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20090157499
    Abstract: Commonly targeted advertising is used to attract a specific demographic towards a particular product and/or service. An advertisement can be presented over a vehicle radio that relate to a route while a user is driving. Advertisements can be directed to a user, including such information as a user name, a user's destination, contextual information, etc. Advertisements can be masked to appear as thought they are part of a standard program; for instance, a normal radio advertiser's voice can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruston Panabaker, John C. Krumm, Jeffrey D. Couckuyt, Ivan J. Tashev, Michael Lewis Seltzer, Neil W. Black