Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Spine

Thomas M. Spine 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: 10055083
    Abstract: Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation
    Inventors: John Sweeney, Thomas M. Spine
  • Patent number: 9465894
    Abstract: Creating a section view of a computer-aided design model includes creating a cutting line to apply to the computer-aided design model by at least one cut operation, constraining the cutting line by selecting a constraining point on the computer-aided design model or first inferring a geometric candidate to constrain the initial cutting line, and enhancing the cutting line by automatically adding an enhancement according to an enhancement type and adjusting the enhancement via a cursor-controlled device according to a set of rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes Solidworks Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Lorono, Nikhil Kulkarni, Thomas M. Spine
  • Publication number: 20150058800
    Abstract: Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: John Sweeney, Thomas M. Spine
  • Patent number: 8910078
    Abstract: Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation
    Inventors: John Sweeney, Thomas M. Spine
  • Publication number: 20110138324
    Abstract: Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: John Sweeney, Thomas M. Spine
  • Patent number: 7930187
    Abstract: A method and system for managing membership in a collaborative computing environment community are provided. Identification of a selected a group of end user persons to invite to join the collaborative computing community is received. The selected group is evaluated to identify one or more invitees there from. The one or more identified invitees are invited to join the community. An indication from one or more invitees that the invitee wishes to join the community is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Miguel A. Estrada, Joseph A. Russo, Thomas M. Spine