Patents by Inventor Pat Halvorsen

Pat Halvorsen 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: 10135965
    Abstract: A digital assistant operating on a device is configured to be engaged as an active participant in communications between local and remote parties by listening to voice and video calls and participating in messaging sessions. The digital assistant typically can be initiated by voice using a key word or phrase and then be requested to perform tasks, provide information and services, etc. using voice or gestures. The digital assistant can respond to the request and take appropriate actions. In voice and video calls, the interactions with the digital assistant (i.e., the request, response, and actions) can be heard by both parties to the call as if the digital assistant was a third party on the call. In a messaging session, messages are generated and displayed to each participant so that they can see the interactions with the digital assistant as if it was a participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kerry Woolsey, Larry Jin, Pat Halvorsen, Susan Chory, Rylan Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20160373571
    Abstract: A digital assistant operating on a device is configured to be engaged as an active participant in communications between local and remote parties by listening to voice and video calls and participating in messaging sessions. The digital assistant typically can be initiated by voice using a key word or phrase and then be requested to perform tasks, provide information and services, etc. using voice or gestures. The digital assistant can respond to the request and take appropriate actions. In voice and video calls, the interactions with the digital assistant (i.e., the request, response, and actions) can be heard by both parties to the call as if the digital assistant was a third party on the call. In a messaging session, messages are generated and displayed to each participant so that they can see the interactions with the digital assistant as if it was a participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Kerry Woolsey, Larry Jin, Pat Halvorsen, Susan Chory, Rylan Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9462112
    Abstract: A digital assistant operating on a device is configured to be engaged as an active participant in communications between local and remote parties by listening to voice and video calls and participating in messaging sessions. The digital assistant typically can be initiated by voice using a key word or phrase and then be requested to perform tasks, provide information and services, etc. using voice or gestures. The digital assistant can respond to the request and take appropriate actions. In voice and video calls, the interactions with the digital assistant (i.e., the request, response, and actions) can be heard by both parties to the call as if the digital assistant was a third party on the call. In a messaging session, messages are generated and displayed to each participant so that they can see the interactions with the digital assistant as if it was a participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kerry Woolsey, Larry Jin, Pat Halvorsen, Susan Chory, Rylan Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20150373183
    Abstract: A digital assistant operating on a device is configured to be engaged as an active participant in communications between local and remote parties by listening to voice and video calls and participating in messaging sessions. The digital assistant typically can be initiated by voice using a key word or phrase and then be requested to perform tasks, provide information and services, etc. using voice or gestures. The digital assistant can respond to the request and take appropriate actions. In voice and video calls, the interactions with the digital assistant (i.e., the request, response, and actions) can be heard by both parties to the call as if the digital assistant was a third party on the call. In a messaging session, messages are generated and displayed to each participant so that they can see the interactions with the digital assistant as if it was a participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Kerry Woolsey, Larry Jin, Pat Halvorsen, Susan Chory, Rylan Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9129478
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern attributing user actions based on biometric identifications. One example method includes detecting an action intended to control an application associated with a shared launch surface. The method includes associating the action with a body located in a field of view of a biometric sensor associated with a shared launch surface. Data from the biometric sensor is used to determine a biometric identity for the body and then the action is attributed to a user as a function of the biometric identity. A context associated with the user is accessed and an operation associated with the action is selectively controlled based on the context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Smith, Li-Chen Miller, Joseph Wyman, Jonathan Garcia, Pat Halvorsen, Jason Giles
  • Publication number: 20140342818
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern attributing user actions based on biometric identifications. One example method includes detecting an action intended to control an application associated with a shared launch surface. The method includes associating the action with a body located in a field of view of a biometric sensor associated with a shared launch surface. Data from the biometric sensor is used to determine a biometric identity for the body and then the action is attributed to a user as a function of the biometric identity. A context associated with the user is accessed and an operation associated with the action is selectively controlled based on the context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Smith, Li-Chen Miller, Joseph Wyman, Jonathan Garcia, Pat Halvorsen, Jason Giles