Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Butcher

Thomas C. Butcher 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: 10068588
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for recognizing emotion in audio signals in real-time. An audio signal is detected and a rapid audio fingerprint is computed on a user's computing device. One or more features is extracted from the audio fingerprint and compared with features associated with defined emotions to determine relative degrees of similarity. Confidence scores are computed for the defined emotions based on the relative degrees of similarity and it is determined whether a confidence score for one or more particular emotions exceeds a threshold confidence score. If it is determined that a threshold confidence score for one or more particular emotions is exceeded, the particular emotion or emotions are associated with the audio signal. As desired, various action then may be initiated based upon the emotion/emotions associated with the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Yaser Khan, Chris Huybreqts, Jaeyoun Kim, Thomas C. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20150255068
    Abstract: Embodiments provide voice model and speaker recognition features including proactive retrieval and/or sharing of voice models, but the embodiments are not so limited. A device/system of an embodiment includes speaker recognition features configured in part to proactively retrieve and/or enable sharing of voice models for use in speaker identification operations. A method of an embodiment operates in part to proactively retrieve and/or enable sharing of voice models for use in speaker identification operations. Other embodiments are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaeyoun Kim, Yaser Masood Khan, Thomas C. Butcher, Michael Abraham Betser, Srinivas Rao Choudam
  • Publication number: 20150249718
    Abstract: Devices are often configurable to perform actions automatically in response to a condition, such as an alarm presented at a time or date of a meeting; a message associated with a location specified by a geofence; or an automated response to a received message. Such conditions may be tangentially applied to actions involving an individual (e.g., a reminder presented during an anticipated meeting or a geofence associated with the individual's office), but may result in false positives when the individual is not actually present, and false negatives when an unanticipated presence of the individual arises. Instead, a device may be configured to detect the presence of the individual with the user (e.g., capturing a photo of the environment of the user, and identifying the face of the individual in the photo), and to perform an action for the user during the detected presence of the individual with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Huybregts, Jaeyoun Kim, Michael A. Betser, Thomas C. Butcher, Yaser Masood Khan
  • Patent number: 8849816
    Abstract: Personalized media charts are described. In embodiments, a request can be received for a personalized media chart that lists media assets as recommendations in a relevant order for a user. The media assets are initially ordered in the personalized media chart according to a chart rank for each media asset. A relevance factor is then determined for each of the media assets, where the relevance factor for a media asset indicates a relevance of the media asset to the user. A chart rank adjustment is calculated for each of the media assets based on the relevance factors for each of the media assets, and the media assets are then reordered in the personalized media chart according to the chart rank adjustments for each of the media assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Burba, Ismet E. Kahraman, Ivan P. Trindev, Zerelina R. Mukherjee, Chad C. Gibson, Thomas C. Butcher
  • Patent number: 8775935
    Abstract: Personification techniques for software agents are described. In an implementation, a plurality of software agents is personified in a user interface to be selectable as friends in a social network service. Each of the software agents is executable to make one or more recommendations based on criteria of the software agent, respectively. Recommendations made by particular software agents are communicated via user accounts of the social network service that have selected the particular software agents as friends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Butcher
  • Patent number: 8671184
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Pure Networks LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Patent number: 8484332
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Pure Networks LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Patent number: 8463890
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Pure Networks LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Publication number: 20110314030
    Abstract: Personalized media charts are described. In embodiments, a request can be received for a personalized media chart that lists media assets as recommendations in a relevant order for a user. The media assets are initially ordered in the personalized media chart according to a chart rank for each media asset. A relevance factor is then determined for each of the media assets, where the relevance factor for a media asset indicates a relevance of the media asset to the user. A chart rank adjustment is calculated for each of the media assets based on the relevance factors for each of the media assets, and the media assets are then reordered in the personalized media chart according to the chart rank adjustments for each of the media assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Burba, Ismet E. Kahraman, Ivan P. Trindev, Zerelina R. Mukherjee, Chad C. Gibson, Thomas C. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20110184792
    Abstract: Social network reward techniques are described. In an implementation, a method implemented by at least one computing device includes obtaining data that describes users' interaction with a social network service and determining influence of one or more said users on other said users via the social network service from the obtained data. A reward is computed based on the determined influence for at least one said user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas C. Butcher, Jessica E. Zahn
  • Publication number: 20110167154
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Publication number: 20110167141
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Publication number: 20110167145
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Publication number: 20110145040
    Abstract: Content recommendation techniques are described. In an implementation, content preferences for a group are determined by identifying an intersection of content preferences for individual users in the group. Content that is currently available for presentation is recommended based on the intersection by comparing the content preferences for the group with metadata for the content that is available for presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jessica E. Zahn, Thomas C. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20110131507
    Abstract: Personification techniques for software agents are described. In an implementation, a plurality of software agents is personified in a user interface to be selectable as friends in a social network service. Each of the software agents is executable to make one or more recommendations based on criteria of the software agent, respectively. Recommendations made by particular software agents are communicated via user accounts of the social network service that have selected the particular software agents as friends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas C. Butcher
  • Patent number: 7925729
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds
  • Publication number: 20110081967
    Abstract: An interactive media social game is described. In embodiments, a social game service administrates a networked social game based on media asset interactions. Media asset interaction data is received that identifies media assets when they are downloaded or played at a user device. The media assets are correlated with a social game entity, such as a music pet that is a token entity of the networked social game. The music pet adaptively changes according to characteristics of the media assets. The media asset interaction data is also compiled as a media asset selection history corresponding to a user that is associated with the user device. A media asset recommendation for the user can be generated based on the media asset selection history, and the media asset recommendation is communicated as a recommendation message from the music pet to the user that is associated with the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas C. Butcher, Sahil Thaker, Christopher B. Weare
  • Patent number: 7904712
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed that allows different computers in a network to create an identifier that uniquely identifies the network. The technique allows the unique identifier to be consistently created over time, regardless of the particular make up of the computing devices in the network at any particular point time. In some implementation, a computer within the network hosts the identification creation tool. In order to create a unique identifier for the network, the tool identifies each network adapter used by the host computer. Using this information, the tool identifies a gateway device used by the network adapter or adapters, and then determines the physical network address of that gateway device. For example, if the network is an Ethernet network, the tool will determine the medial access control (MAC) address for the gateway device. The tool then creates a unique identifier for the network based upon the physical address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve M. Bush, Dan R. Kerns, Thomas C. Butcher, Harry J. Heymann, Roxanne C. Skelly
  • Publication number: 20100268574
    Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking user profile influence in a digital media system are provided. One exemplary method includes computing connection weights of connections between a plurality of user nodes, each user node representing a user profile of the digital media system, to thereby generate an influence network. The connection weights may be based on implicit activity notifications received at a media server via a plurality of media clients associated with the user nodes. The method may further include calculating a dynamic influence score for each of the user nodes based on the connection weights between the user nodes in the influence network. The method may further include comparing the dynamic influence scores to an influence score threshold to determine one or more lead user nodes, and sending an influence reward to the media clients associated with the one or more lead user nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas C. Butcher, Jessica Zahn
  • Publication number: 20090019141
    Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Steven M. Bush, Thomas C. Butcher, Matthew Tebbs, Justin Ferrari, Brett Marl, Ron Gery, Kristin Acker, Joshua Hinds