Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Conrad

Thomas J. Conrad 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: 8306976
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating and modifying a playlist using contextual information are disclosed. For example, a user may provide an input seed such as a song name or artist name. The input seed is compared to database items and a playlist is generated as a result. In some examples, the contextual information is used to enhance the comparison and to select better content objects for a user's playlist. Meanwhile, in some examples the content objects in the playlist may be arranged in an enhanced order using ranking and/or contextual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Pandora Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne F. Handman, Thomas J. Conrad, Joseph J. Kennedy, Timothy B. Westergren
  • Publication number: 20110213769
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating and modifying a playlist using contextual information are disclosed. For example, a user may provide an input seed such as a song name or artist name. The input seed is compared to database items and a playlist is generated as a result. In some examples, the contextual information is used to enhance the comparison and to select better content objects for a user's playlist. Meanwhile, in some examples the content objects in the playlist may be arranged in an enhanced order using ranking and/or contextual information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: PANDORA MEDIA, INC.
    Inventors: Etienne F. Handman, Thomas J. Conrad, Joseph J. Kennedy, Timothy B. Westergren
  • Patent number: 7962482
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating and modifying a playlist using contextual information are disclosed. For example, a user may provide an input seed such as a song name or artist name. The input seed is compared to database items and a playlist is generated as a result. In some examples, the contextual information is used to enhance the comparison and to select better content objects for a user's playlist. Meanwhile, in some examples the content objects in the playlist may be arranged in an enhanced order using ranking and/or contextual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Pandora Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne F. Handman, Thomas J. Conrad, Joseph J. Kennedy, Timothy B. Westergren
  • Patent number: 7904828
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Publication number: 20100218130
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is “sprung open” to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 7712037
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is “sprung open” to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 7549126
    Abstract: An apparatus for finding objects in a computer including a display and a pointing device with which a user drags a pointer on the display, having: an input that receives an input signal to indicate a drag operation; memory that stores a plurality of objects including enclosures in the memory, wherein enclosures comprise objects which may enclose other objects; window opening logic, coupled with the display, that draws windows on the display corresponding to opened enclosures, wherein a window for an opened enclosure includes identifiers within the window corresponding to objects enclosed by the opened enclosure; and, temporary window logic, coupled to the display and the pointing device, that opens a temporary window for the particular enclosure display identifiers within the temporary window corresponding to objects enclosed by the particular enclosure, in response to a drag during a drag operation of the pointer over an identifier corresponding to a particular enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 7539945
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 6928621
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is “sprung open” to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 6642944
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Publication number: 20030174172
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Publication number: 20020175947
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS J. CONRAD, ELIZABETH ANN ROBINSON MOLLER
  • Publication number: 20020054113
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is “sprung open” to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 6307545
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is “sprung open” to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 6133918
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 6061061
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is "sprung open" to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 5956030
    Abstract: A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Elizabeth Ann Robinson Moller
  • Patent number: 5680562
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is "sprung open" to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 5583984
    Abstract: A new behavior in a graphical user interface allows the user to open and close enclosures, while dragging an object. When the user pauses, gestures, or rolls over a hot spot on top of an icon or text representing a closed enclosure, a temporary window for the closed enclosure is "sprung open" to allow the user to browse inside the enclosure and possible open another enclosure contained within the temporary window. This process can be carried on throughout a hierarchy of windows as the user browses for a destination window for the drag operation. All of the temporary windows except the destination are closed when the mouse button is released, signaling the end of a drag. The user may close sprung open windows by simply moving the cursor out of the sprung open window, or by making some other gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Conrad, Yin Y. Wong