Patents by Inventor Reed Townsend
Reed Townsend 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).
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Patent number: 10678373Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media process to distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. The devices, methods, and computer-readable media process quickly and reliably distinguishes between input device gestures by utilizing a gesture profile that includes a preferential input type, e.g. to preferentially recognize a received input as a first input type over a second input type.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Alexander J. Zotov, Reed Townsend, Steven P. Dodge
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Patent number: 10620814Abstract: Techniques relating to scrolling, object selection, and object moving are discussed. Strokes are inputted by a user, for instance using a touch sensitive surface. Strokes are directed to a scrollable surface with objects therein. Strokes that end before meeting a condition select the objects, and strokes then end after meeting the condition move the objects or representations thereof. The condition may be a distance. Selection may only occur when strokes meet a threshold condition such as having a particular direction (e.g., perpendicular to a direction for scrolling the surface) or moving a minimal distance. Strokes in a scrolling direction (e.g., horizontal) may scroll the surface in that direction and strokes in another direction (e.g., vertical) may both select and move the objects. Objects selected may slide on rails before moving.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Alan Stephenson, Brian Wheeler, Joyce Wu, Pamela De la Torre Baltierra, Reed Townsend, Uros Batricevic
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Patent number: 10564739Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computing device having storage, a processor, a display, a first human input device, and a second human input device, where the first human input device is in a first category of human input devices and the second human input device is in a second category of human input devices. The computing device may perform a process involving executing a windowing environment that manages windows of applications executing on the computing device. The windowing environment may receive raw inputs from the first and second human input devices and in turn generate input pointers for the raw inputs, respectively. The input pointers may be or include instances of an input pointer class implemented by the windowing environment, the pointer class used by the windowing environment for arbitrary different types of human input pointer devices including the first human input device and the second human input device.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Reed Townsend, Mariel Young, Joyce Wu, Krishnan Menon, Olumuyiwa Durojaiye, Uros Batricevic, Vipul Aneja, Todd Torset
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Publication number: 20190037035Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying personal signals of a target person are presented. More particularly, content is captured and or monitored on a local computing device of the target person. Personal signals of the target person are identified and a comparison to personal signals in a personal profile record of the target person is made to identify a delta of personal signals representing those signals that are not included in the personal profile record. The delta of personal signals is uploaded to a remotely located personal assistance service where they may be added to the personal profile record of the target person and the updated personal profile record of the target person is returned to the local computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Akhilesh KAZA, Roland RADTKE, Reed TOWNSEND, Koushik PERI
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Publication number: 20170147149Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media process to distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. The devices, methods, and computer-readable media process quickly and reliably distinguishes between input device gestures by utilizing a gesture profile that includes a preferential input type, e.g. to preferentially recognize a received input as a first input type over a second input type.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Alexander J. Zotov, Reed Townsend, Steven P. Dodge
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Patent number: 9588590Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Alexander J. Zotov, Reed Townsend, Steven P. Dodge
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Publication number: 20160370878Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computing device having storage, a processor, a display, a first human input device, and a second human input device, where the first human input device is in a first category of human input devices and the second human input device is in a second category of human input devices. The computing device may perform a process involving executing a windowing environment that manages windows of applications executing on the computing device. The windowing environment may receive raw inputs from the first and second human input devices and in turn generate input pointers for the raw inputs, respectively. The input pointers may be or include instances of an input pointer class implemented by the windowing environment, the pointer class used by the windowing environment for arbitrary different types of human input pointer devices including the first human input device and the second human input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Reed Townsend, Mariel Young, Joyce Wu, Krishnan Menon, Olumuyiwa Durojaiye, Uros Batricevic, Vipul Aneja, Todd Torset
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Patent number: 9483155Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computing device having storage, a processor, a display, a first human input device, and a second human input device, where the first human input device is in a first category of human input devices and the second human input device is in a second category of human input devices. The computing device may perform a process involving executing a windowing environment that manages windows of applications executing on the computing device. The windowing environment may receive raw inputs from the first and second human input devices and in turn generate input pointers for the raw inputs, respectively. The input pointers may be or include instances of an input pointer class implemented by the windowing environment, the pointer class used by the windowing environment for arbitrary different types of human input pointer devices including the first human input device and the second human input device.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Joyce Wu, Krishnan Menon, Mariel Young, Olumuyiwa Durojaiye, Reed Townsend, Todd Torset, Uros Batricevic, Vipul Aneja
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Publication number: 20160246471Abstract: Techniques relating to scrolling, object selection, and object moving are discussed. Strokes are inputted by a user, for instance using a touch sensitive surface. Strokes are directed to a scrollable surface with objects therein. Strokes that end before meeting a condition select the objects, and strokes then end after meeting the condition move the objects or representations thereof. The condition may be a distance. Selection may only occur when strokes meet a threshold condition such as having a particular direction (e.g., perpendicular to a direction for scrolling the surface) or moving a minimal distance. Strokes in a scrolling direction (e.g., horizontal) may scroll the surface in that direction and strokes in another direction (e.g., vertical) may both select and move the objects. Objects selected may slide on rails before moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Alan Stephenson, Brian Wheeler, Joyce Wu, Pamela De la Torre Baltierra, Reed Townsend, Uros Batricevic
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Patent number: 9335913Abstract: Techniques relating to scrolling, object selection, and object moving are discussed. Strokes are inputted by a user, for instance using a touch sensitive surface. Strokes are directed to a scrollable surface with objects therein. Strokes that end before meeting a condition select the objects, and strokes then end after meeting the condition move the objects or representations thereof. The condition may be a distance. Selection may only occur when strokes meet a threshold condition such as having a particular direction (e.g., perpendicular to a direction for scrolling the surface) or moving a minimal distance. Strokes in a scrolling direction (e.g., horizontal) may scroll the surface in that direction and strokes in another direction (e.g., vertical) may both select and move the objects. Objects selected may slide on rails before moving.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Alan Stephenson, Brian Wheeler, Joyce Wu, Pamela De la Torre Baltierra, Reed Townsend, Uros Batricevic
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Patent number: 9274622Abstract: In one embodiment, a unified pointer message 300 may describe in a single type of pointer message a coordinate input from a user via multiple types of pointer devices. An input device interface 150 may receive a coordinate input 350 from an input device. A processor 120 may execute an application programming interface layer 430 that creates a unified pointer message 300 for the coordinate input 350. The processor 120 may send the unified pointer message 300 to an application. The processor 120 may process a device specific data set 244 unhandled by the application.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Stephen Wright, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Pak Kiu Chung, Raju Ramanathan, Krishnan Menon, Lawrence Osterman, Alan Stephenson, Reed Townsend, Jacob Rossi
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Patent number: 9041660Abstract: This document describes tools associated with soft keyboard control functions. In some implementations, the tools recognize a keyboard launch gesture on a touch sensitive screen and present a preview of a keyboard on the touch sensitive screen responsive to the launch gesture. The tools can also display the keyboard on the touch sensitive screen responsive to cessation of the launch gesture.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Jan-Kristian Markiewicz, Reed Townsend, David Matthews, Vishnu Sivaji
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Publication number: 20140137029Abstract: Techniques relating to scrolling, object selection, and object moving are discussed. Strokes are inputted by a user, for instance using a touch sensitive surface. Strokes are directed to a scrollable surface with objects therein. Strokes that end before meeting a condition select the objects, and strokes then end after meeting the condition move the objects or representations thereof. The condition may be a distance. Selection may only occur when strokes meet a threshold condition such as having a particular direction (e.g., perpendicular to a direction for scrolling the surface) or moving a minimal distance. Strokes in a scrolling direction (e.g., horizontal) may scroll the surface in that direction and strokes in another direction (e.g., vertical) may both select and move the objects. Objects selected may slide on rails before moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFTInventors: Alan Stephenson, Brian Wheeler, Joyce Wu, Pamela De la Torre Baltierra, Reed Townsend, Uros Batricevic
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Publication number: 20140075458Abstract: In one embodiment, a unified pointer message 300 may describe in a single type of pointer message a coordinate input from a user via multiple types of pointer devices. An input device interface 150 may receive a coordinate input 350 from an input device. A processor 120 may execute an application programming interface layer 430 that creates a unified pointer message 300 for the coordinate input 350. The processor 120 may send the unified pointer message 300 to an application. The processor 120 may process a device specific data set 244 unhandled by the application.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Stephen Wright, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Pak Kiu Chung, Raju Ramanathan, Krishnan Menon, Lawrence Osterman, Alan Stephenson, Reed Townsend, Jacob Rossi
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Publication number: 20140075372Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computing device having storage, a processor, a display, a first human input device, and a second human input device, where the first human input device is in a first category of human input devices and the second human input device is in a second category of human input devices. The computing device may perform a process involving executing a windowing environment that manages windows of applications executing on the computing device. The windowing environment may receive raw inputs from the first and second human input devices and in turn generate input pointers for the raw inputs, respectively. The input pointers may be or include instances of an input pointer class implemented by the windowing environment, the pointer class used by the windowing environment for arbitrary different types of human input pointer devices including the first human input device and the second human input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Joyce Wu, Krishnan Menon, Mariel Young, Olumuyiwa Durojaiye, Reed Townsend, Todd Torset, Uros Batricevic, Vipul Aneja
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Publication number: 20130326432Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Alexander J. Zotov, Reed Townsend, Steven P. Dodge
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Patent number: 8539383Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Alexander J. Zotov, Reed Townsend, Steven P. Dodge
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Patent number: 8004503Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically calibrating a pointing device, such as a stylus, with a writing surface, such as a touch screen. In one example, an automated method is implemented to calibrate the writing surface based user inputs attempting to use the computer for functions other than calibration of the writing surface. The user inputs may be, for example, a user selecting a button within a non-calibration software application. The automated method may generate a miscalibration vector based upon where the user input was received and where the user input was expected. In yet another example, a bias field may be generated for the writing surface from the collected user inputs. In yet other examples, a computing device may comprise computer-executable instructions for performing one or methods of calibrating the writing surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Alexander Zotov, Reed Townsend, Sameer Shariff, Steve Dodge
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Patent number: 7847789Abstract: Aspects of the present invention reduce the number of false positive touch inputs made by a non-stylus object such as the user's finger or hand. When the stylus is located proximate to the touch-sensitive surface, the sensitivity of the surface to non-stylus input is disabled, reduced, or otherwise modified. For example, non-stylus inputs may be ignored while the stylus is within a proximity zone defined near the touch-sensitive surface. Further aspects of the present invention are directed to adjusting the threshold requirements of a non-stylus input depending upon where on the touch-sensitive surface the input is made. Still further aspects of the present invention are directed to calibrating various sensitivity thresholds for non-stylus input, as well as the size and/or shape of the proximity zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Alexander J. Kolmykov-Zotov, Emily K. Rimas-Ribikauskas, Matt Lerner, Reed Townsend, Steven P. Dodge, Leroy B. Keely
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Publication number: 20100141590Abstract: This document describes tools associated with soft keyboard control functions. In some implementations, the tools recognize a keyboard launch gesture on a touch sensitive screen and present a preview of a keyboard on the touch sensitive screen responsive to the launch gesture. The tools can also display the keyboard on the touch sensitive screen responsive to cessation of the launch gesture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jan-Kristian Markiewicz, Reed Townsend, Dave Matthews, Vishnu Sivaji