Patents by Inventor Robert Zhu

Robert Zhu 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: 20180150277
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling audio volume output by a paired device are described. A first notification indicative of a change to a first volume by a first audio output device generated. The first notification comprises a first identifier of the first audio output device. A first record indicative of a volume of audio is stored. The first record is indexed by the first identifier. A second notification indicative of an audio stream being redirected from the first audio output device to a second audio output device is generated. The second notification comprises a second identifier of the second audio output device. A second record indicative of a second volume of audio output by the second device is retrieved. The second record is retrieved based at least in part on the second identifier. The second audio output device outputs audio at the second volume, based at least in part on the second record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Naiyi Jiang, Ying N. Chin, Robert Zhu, Satyendra Bahadur, Qian Zhou, Roger W. Porter, Carlos Picoto, Daryl A. Welsh
  • Publication number: 20180052518
    Abstract: An apparatus may be manipulated using non-touch or hover techniques. Hover techniques may be associated with zooming, virtual feedback, authentication, and other operations. For example, a mobile device may receive data indicative of a hover gesture. The hover gesture may be sensed proximate to a rear of the mobile device. The level of zoom of a rendered image may be altered based on the hover gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Zhu, Dejun Zhang, Pengxiang Zhao, Bin Wang, Satyendra Bahadur, Ying N. Chin
  • Publication number: 20170364401
    Abstract: A communications link between a computing device and an external device is monitored. A driver for the communications link is executed on the computing device. The driver is configured to monitor data traffic over the communications link. Data indicative of the monitored data traffic is received from the driver. The data is sent to an analysis function configured to identify a condition of the communications link based on accumulated data indicative of the data traffic. Data indicative of an identified condition of the communications link is received from the analytics function. An indication of the identified condition is rendered on a display device of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Pengxiang Zhao, Bin Wang, Dejun Zhang, Robert Zhu, Xuejun Chen, Ying N. Chin, Satyendra Bahadur
  • Patent number: 9697010
    Abstract: This patent relates to user devices that have user-selectable operating systems. One implementation can include primary storage having multiple compressed operating systems stored thereon in inoperable form. This implementation can also include a processor configured to execute a multi-option boot loader configured to receive a user selection of an individual operating system. The multi-option boot loader is configured to install a file folder structure on the primary storage in a configuration specific to the individual operating system and to install the individual operating system in an operable form on the primary storage relative to the file folder structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Paul, Ross F. Hewit, Robert Zhu, Heonmin Lim
  • Patent number: 9699291
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a first device (e.g., phone) having a first set of input or output capabilities interacting with a second device(s) (e.g., tablet) having a second set of input or output capabilities. The first device may detect the second device and establish a communication link with the second device. The first device may receive inputs presented at the second device and provide outputs to be presented by the second device. In response to an action (e.g., touch, gesture) on the second device, an application running on the first device may receive an input, which may in turn determine an output that is provided to the second device. The first device may use the second device to provide an input/output experience that is superior to what the first device could provide with its own built-in input/output components. The combination saves energy and reduces computing complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Pengxiang Zhao, Frank Zheng, Robert Zhu, Ying Chin, Zach Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170034253
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing automated network connection sharing. Techniques disclosed herein can initiate Internet connection sharing between a first computer and a second computer, wherein the Internet connection sharing enables the first computer to function as a host to provide Internet access to the second computer. If there is a break in the connection, a system determines if the second computer is in proximity to the first computer. If it is determined that the first computer is in proximity to the second computer, the techniques disclosed herein verify access rights. Once the access rights are verified, the system automatically establishes Internet connection sharing between the first computer and the second computer. The techniques disclosed herein enable access to a service for sharing a network connection without requiring user interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Naiyi Jiang, Robert Zhu, Qian Zhou, Ying N Chin
  • Publication number: 20160057266
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a first device (e.g., phone) having a first set of input or output capabilities interacting with a second device(s) (e.g., tablet) having a second set of input or output capabilities. The first device may detect the second device and establish a communication link with the second device. The first device may receive inputs presented at the second device and provide outputs to be presented by the second device. In response to an action (e.g., touch, gesture) on the second device, an application running on the first device may receive an input, which may in turn determine an output that is provided to the second device. The first device may use the second device to provide an input/output experience that is superior to what the first device could provide with its own built-in input/output components. The combination saves energy and reduces computing complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Tony Zhao, Frank Zheng, Robert Zhu, Ying Chin, Zach Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150277929
    Abstract: This patent relates to user devices that have user-selectable operating systems. One implementation can include primary storage having multiple compressed operating systems stored thereon in inoperable form. This implementation can also include a processor configured to execute a multi-option boot loader configured to receive a user selection of an individual operating system. The multi-option boot loader is configured to install a file folder structure on the primary storage in a configuration specific to the individual operating system and to install the individual operating system in an operable form on the primary storage relative to the file folder structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. PAUL, Ross F. HEWIT, Robert ZHU, Heonmin LIM
  • Patent number: 7613692
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate persona-based application personalization are disclosed. A persona is a conglomeration of a group of archetypal users that represent the personalization needs of many users and is based on observed behavior and patterns associated with the group of users. Users can be grouped into personas, and the personas can be analyzed to facilitate application personalization at a person level. Individual users can then be mapped to personas based on correlations of their respective individual behaviors and/or usage patters to the usage patterns of the persona as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Hamilton, Robert Zhu, Alexei Kourbatov
  • Publication number: 20080030764
    Abstract: A parallel aggregation system implemented in a database programming language that utilizes servers that comprise a heterogeneous server farm. The system employs a central job coordinator that coordinates multiple jobs on many disparately sized server machines. The central job coordinator further assigns jobs to the server machines based on the ability of the machine to undertake the work and the complexity and size of the particular job, and monitors the health associated with the machines that comprise the heterogeneous server farm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Zhu, Venkatraman Balasubramaniyan, Michael D. Moore, Mansoor Mannan, Jiong Feng, Ying N. Chin
  • Publication number: 20080027924
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate persona-based application personalization are disclosed. A persona is a conglomeration of a group of archetypal users that represent the personalization needs of many users and is based on observed behavior and patterns associated with the group of users. Users can be grouped into personas, and the personas can be analyzed to facilitate application personalization at a person level. Individual users can then be mapped to personas based on correlations of their respective individual behaviors and/or usage patters to the usage patterns of the persona as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Hamilton, Robert Zhu, Alexei Kourbatov