Patents by Inventor Patrice L. Miner

Patrice L. Miner 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: 20230289048
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Patrice L. Miner, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Robert J. Jarrett, Jennifer Nan
  • Patent number: 11698721
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Patrice L. Miner, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Robert J. Jarrett, Jennifer Nan
  • Patent number: 10606615
    Abstract: A computer application launcher can be displayed. In response to receiving a first user input associated with the launcher while a computer application indicated by the launcher is not running, a destination list can be displayed. The destination list can include one or more destinations indicating one or more items that can be performed by a computer application. In response to a second user input associated with the destination list and indicating selection of a destination on the destination list, the application can be launched and instructed to perform an item indicated by the selected destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Deutsch, Benjamin Betz, Andrew Jennings, Stephan Hoefnagels, Patrice L. Miner
  • Patent number: 10579205
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for invoking user interfaces in graphical computing environments involving “hooking” gestures applicable to an edge of a display. These gestures involve positioning a pointer near an edge of the display depicting the environment, and then moving the cursor to a second location that is distanced from but near the first location (e.g., moving the pointer into a corner of the display, and then toward the center of the display, or to a midpoint of an adjacent edge of the display), resulting in the presentation of the user interface under the pointer at the second location. Variations include presenting a preview of the user interface (e.g., a subset of a user interface menu) at the second location while the pointer is in the first location, and refraining from presenting the user interface upon failing to complete the gesture or receiving extraneous input before completing the gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Nan, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Zach Robinson, Robert Jarrett, Patrice L. Miner
  • Patent number: 10579250
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for arranging tiles. These techniques and apparatuses enable users to quickly and easily arrange tiles within an interface, such as an application-launching interface. In some cases, users may arrange tiles in an interface with as little as one continuous gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chantal M. Leonard, Holger Kuehnle, John C. Whytock, Rebecca Deutsch, Patrice L. Miner
  • Publication number: 20200057534
    Abstract: A computer application launcher can be displayed. In response to receiving a first user input associated with the launcher while a computer application indicated by the launcher is not running, a destination list can be displayed. The destination list can include one or more destinations indicating one or more items that can be performed by a computer application. In response to a second user input associated with the destination list and indicating selection of a destination on the destination list, the application can be launched and instructed to perform an item indicated by the selected destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Deutsch, Benjamin Betz, Andrew Jennings, Stephan Hoefnagels, Patrice L. Miner
  • Patent number: 10417018
    Abstract: Desktop as an immersive application techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an immersive environment module is configured to provide an immersive shell through which a user may interact with applications of a computing device. The immersive environment module is further configured to provide a desktop shell within the immersive shell to support additional techniques for interaction with the application of the computing device. The desktop shell, for instance, may be configured for accessibility similar to that provided to applications in the immersive shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. LeVee, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Jennifer Nan, Patrice L. Miner, Alice P. Steinglass, Tsz Yan Wong, Theresa B. Pittappilly, Raymond J. Chen
  • Patent number: 10303325
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a multi-application environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable multi-application environments having combinations of immersive interfaces, windows-based interfaces, and a desktop treated as an immersive interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Jarrett, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils Anders Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Tsz Yan Wong, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Patrice L. Miner, Jensen Harris, David A. Matthews, Jennifer Nan, Matthew I. Worley
  • Patent number: 9910569
    Abstract: An address bar user interface control includes one or more interactive segments. A segment may include one or more filters or selection criteria for selecting content from physical and/or virtual locations. In some instances, a segment may include two or more filters or selection criteria which are logically combined for selecting content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Patrice L. Miner, Zeke Odins-Lucas, David G. De Vorchik, Charles Cummins, Paul A. Gusmorino
  • Publication number: 20170371517
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for invoking user interfaces in graphical computing environments involving “hooking” gestures applicable to an edge of a display. These gestures involve positioning a pointer near an edge of the display depicting the environment, and then moving the cursor to a second location that is distanced from but near the first location (e.g., moving the pointer into a corner of the display, and then toward the center of the display, or to a midpoint of an adjacent edge of the display), resulting in the presentation of the user interface under the pointer at the second location. Variations include presenting a preview of the user interface (e.g., a subset of a user interface menu) at the second location while the pointer is in the first location, and refraining from presenting the user interface upon failing to complete the gesture or receiving extraneous input before completing the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jennifer Nan, Jesse Clay Sattlerfield, Zach Robinson, Robert Jarrett, Patrice L. Miner
  • Patent number: 9843665
    Abstract: Desktop as an immersive application techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an immersive environment module is configured to provide an immersive shell through which a user may interact with applications of a computing device. The immersive environment module is further configured to provide a desktop shell within the immersive shell to support additional techniques for interaction with the application of the computing device. The desktop shell, for instance, may be configured for accessibility similar to that provided to applications in the immersive shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. LeVee, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Jennifer Nan, Patrice L. Miner, Alice P. Steinglass, Tsz Yan Wong, Theresa B. Pittappilly, Heiwad Hamidy Osman, Raymond J. Chen
  • Patent number: 9760242
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for invoking user interfaces in graphical computing environments involving “hooking” gestures applicable to an edge of a display. These gestures involve positioning a pointer near an edge of the display depicting the environment, and then moving the cursor to a second location that is distanced from but near the first location (e.g., moving the pointer into a corner of the display, and then toward the center of the display, or to a midpoint of an adjacent edge of the display), resulting in the presentation of the user interface under the pointer at the second location. Variations include presenting a preview of the user interface (e.g., a subset of a user interface menu) at the second location while the pointer is in the first location, and refraining from presenting the user interface upon failing to complete the gesture or receiving extraneous input before completing the gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Nan, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Zach Robinson, Robert Jarrett, Patrice L. Miner
  • Patent number: 9696888
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling an application-launching interface for multiple modes. This interface enables a user to quickly and easily select to launch applications associated with different modes. A user may avoid wading through multiple interfaces, making multiple selections, and/or a cognitive load associated with deciding on a mode with which to interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Deutsch, Marina Dukhon, Varun Bahl, Patrice L. Miner, Jeffrey S. Miller, Benjamin A. Betz
  • Publication number: 20170160888
    Abstract: A computer application launcher can be displayed. In response to receiving a first user input associated with the launcher while a computer application indicated by the launcher is not running, a destination list can be displayed. The destination list can include one or more destinations indicating one or more items that can be performed by a computer application. In response to a second user input associated with the destination list and indicating selection of a destination on the destination list, the application can be launched and instructed to perform an item indicated by the selected destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Deutsch, Benjamin Betz, Andrew Jennings, Stephan Hoefnagels, Patrice L. Miner
  • Publication number: 20170147196
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: DAVID A. MATTHEWS, CHAITANYA D. SAREEN, PATRICE L. MINER, BRET P. ANDERSON, JASON SILVIS
  • Patent number: 9612847
    Abstract: A computer application launcher can be displayed. In response to receiving a first user input associated with the launcher while a computer application indicated by the launcher is not running, a destination list can be displayed. The destination list can include one or more destinations indicating one or more items that can be performed by a computer application. In response to a second user input associated with the destination list and indicating selection of a destination on the destination list, the application can be launched and instructed to perform an item indicated by the selected destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Deutsch, Benjamin Betz, Andrew Jennings, Stephan Hoefnagels, Patrice L. Miner
  • Publication number: 20170068428
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Patrice L. Miner, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Robert J. Jarrett, Jennifer Nan
  • Patent number: 9563352
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David A Matthews, Chaitanya D Sareen, Patrice L Miner, Bret P Anderson, Jason Silvis
  • Patent number: 9535597
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tsz Yan Wong, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Nils A. Sundelin, Bret P. Anderson, Patrice L. Miner, Chaitanya Dev Sareen, Robert J. Jarrett, Jennifer Nan
  • Patent number: 9361312
    Abstract: A system and method for filtering and organizing items from computer memories based on common elements. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, filters are provided for manipulating the items. The filters are essentially tools for narrowing down a set of items. In one embodiment, the filters are dynamically generated based on the properties of the separate items. The system utilizes virtual folders. The virtual folders expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, quick links are provided. In one embodiment, quick links are a set of predefined links (e.g., located on the left side of the display) that can be clicked on to generate useful views of the sets of items. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, libraries are provided. Libraries consist of large groups of usable types of items that can be associated together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun A. Kaasten, Jason F. Moore, Kenneth M. Tubbs, Relja Ivanovic, David G. De Vorchik, Richard M. Banks, Patrice L. Miner