Patents by Inventor William Portnoy
William Portnoy 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: 11402178Abstract: A stand-alone, single-layer, auxiliary ballistic security barrier system configured to be installed over existing doors. The ballistic security barrier system provides protection against an active shooter with weapons, including handguns and high-powered rifles. The ballistic security barrier system includes a frame fixed to a wall with an anchor system and having structural tubing, mounting angle, and a locking system located inside the structural tubing. Further, the system includes a barrier pivotably attached to the frame and made out of material suitable to withstand impact from a high velocity rifle. The barrier is held in a first stowed position by a release apparatus, and in a second closed position by a lock.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Buffalo Armory, LLCInventors: John Batiste, Thomas Van Buskirk, William Portnoy
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Patent number: 11209956Abstract: A media party network service manages a set of media parties and a set of users of the media party service. Managing the media parties can involve instantiating new media parties according to input from the users, allowing the users to join the media parties, and tracking which users are participating in which media parties. Managing a given one of the media parties may include maintaining a queue of media items, allowing users in the media party to provide input to add media items to the queue and to provide input to skip media items in the queue. The media party service streams the given one of the media parties to client devices of the users currently in the given media party such that all of the client devices are currently displaying substantially a same part of a media item in the corresponding queue.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Flynn Joffray, Sameer Halai, Stephen Coy, Steve Ickman, Todd Newman, William Portnoy
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Publication number: 20200309488Abstract: A stand-alone, single-layer, auxiliary ballistic security barrier system configured to be installed over existing doors. The ballistic security barrier system provides protection against an active shooter with weapons, including handguns and high-powered rifles. The ballistic security barrier system includes a frame fixed to a wall with an anchor system and having structural tubing, mounting angle, and a locking system located inside the structural tubing. Further, the system includes a barrier pivotably attached to the frame and made out of material suitable to withstand impact from a high velocity rifle. The barrier is held in a first stowed position by a release apparatus, and in a second closed position by a lock.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Buffalo Armory LLCInventors: John BATISTE, Thomas VAN BUSKIRK, William PORTNOY
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Patent number: 9893903Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer-storage media are provided for connecting devices. Shared spaces may be created among one or more users and/or devices. Based on various factors including locations, histories among users, time of day, etc., spaces may be created among users such that content may be shared within the shared space. The spaces may be created using multiple technologies such that one user may connect to the space via a first identifier format while a second user may connect to the space via a second identifier format. Once created, content may be shared with one or more users of the space. Depending on privacy and/or security settings of the space, any user may invite other users to join the space. The content may be available to any participant once the space has terminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Steven Ickman, Lars Liden, Hai Liu, William Portnoy, Shahin Shayandeh, Janice Von Itter
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Patent number: 9756438Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to computing data that is indicative of a location of a client computing device are described herein. A client computing device is configured to capture an audio signal, the audio signature being indicative of acoustics of surroundings of the client computing device. A signature is generated based upon a high frequency portion of the captured audio signal, and the signature is compared with other signatures. The other signatures are generated based upon high frequency portions of audio signals captured by other computing devices. A determination regarding the client computing device being co-located with a second client computing device is made based upon the comparison of the signature with the other signatures.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Shahin Shayandeh, Steven Ickman, William Portnoy
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Publication number: 20160103572Abstract: A media party network service manages a set of media parties and a set of users of the media party service. Managing the media parties can involve instantiating new media parties according to input from the users, allowing the users to join the media parties, and tracking which users are participating in which media parties. Managing a given one of the media parties may include maintaining a queue of media items, allowing users in the media party to provide input to add media items to the queue and to provide input to skip media items in the queue. The media party service streams the given one of the media parties to client devices of the users currently in the given media party such that all of the client devices are currently displaying substantially a same part of a media item in the corresponding queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Flynn Joffray, Sameer Halai, Stephen Coy, Steve Ickman, Todd Newman, William Portnoy
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Publication number: 20150373468Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to computing data that is indicative of a location of a client computing device are described herein. A client computing device is configured to capture an audio signal, the audio signature being indicative of acoustics of surroundings of the client computing device. A signature is generated based upon a high frequency portion of the captured audio signal, and the signature is compared with other signatures. The other signatures are generated based upon high frequency portions of audio signals captured by other computing devices. A determination regarding the client computing device being co-located with a second client computing device is made based upon the comparison of the signature with the other signatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Shahin Shayandeh, Steven Ickman, William Portnoy
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Patent number: 9195757Abstract: A dynamic digital montage system assists a user in creating and publishing a montage about one or more specified topics. The system receives an identification of one or more topics of interest from the user, and based on the subject information, collects data from dynamic and static data sources for display in dedicated sections of a montage. The data is presented in one of a number of predefined but editable layouts for presentation to a user. In one implementation, at least one of the montage components is associated with a dynamic data source and is updated when new data is provided by the dynamic data source. In another implementation, the data sources attached to the montage components are analyzed on a periodic basis, and based on the analysis, data source assignments and/or the montage layout is revised.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: William Portnoy, Richard Zaragoza, Matthew Bret MacLaurin, Craig Jensen, Richard Daniel Marshall, Bradley Gibson, Tom Laird-McConnell, Steve Ickman, David Raskino, Lili Cheng
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Publication number: 20150244539Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer-storage media are provided for connecting devices. Shared spaces may be created among one or more users and/or devices. Based on various factors including locations, histories among users, time of day, etc., spaces may be created among users such that content may be shared within the shared space. The spaces may be created using multiple technologies such that one user may connect to the space via a first identifier format while a second user may connect to the space via a second identifier format. Once created, content may be shared with one or more users of the space. Depending on privacy and/or security settings of the space, any user may invite other users to join the space. The content may be available to any participant once the space has terminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: STEVEN ICKMAN, LARS LIDEN, HAI LIU, WILLIAM PORTNOY, SHAHIN SHAYANDEH, JANICE VON ITTER
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Publication number: 20120284245Abstract: A dynamic digital montage system assists a user in creating and publishing a montage about one or more specified topics. The system receives an identification of one or more topics of interest from the user, and based on the subject information, collects data from dynamic and static data sources for display in dedicated sections of a montage. The data is presented in one of a number of predefined but editable layouts for presentation to a user. In one implementation, at least one of the montage components is associated with a dynamic data source and is updated when new data is provided by the dynamic data source. In another implementation, the data sources attached to the montage components are analyzed on a periodic basis, and based on the analysis, data source assignments and/or the montage layout is revised.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: William Portnoy, Richard Zaragoza, Matthew Bret MacLaurin, Craig Jensen, Richard Daniel Marshall, Bradley Gibson, Tom Laird-McConnell, Steve Ickman, David Raskino, Lili Cheng
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Publication number: 20110113133Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, user component, and system for sharing media object in a network environment are disclosed. A network manager may determine a similarity metric between users of the environment, between media objects, and/or between a user and media objects. Based upon the similarity metric, the network manager may share media objects with another user if the similarity metric exceeds a pre-determined value or is more similar than other retrieved media objects. A user component may also provide a network map manager to display a network map, and may provide a tailored view manager to display a web log associated with at least one of the user icons displayed in the network map.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean Kelly, Lili Cheng, Shelly Farnham, William Portnoy
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Patent number: 7886024Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, user component, and system for sharing media object in a network environment are disclosed. A network manager may determine a similarity metric between users of the environment, between media objects, and/or between a user and media objects. Based upon the similarity metric, the network manager may share media objects with another user if the similarity metric exceeds a predetermined value or is more similar than other retrieved media objects. A user component may also provide a network map manager to display a network map, and may provide a tailored view manager to display a web log associated with at least one of the user icons displayed in the network map.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean Kelly, Lili Cheng, Shelly Farnham, William Portnoy
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Patent number: 7761549Abstract: Social information, including computer communication information, is modeled according to a network approach, and users are provided with representations of patterns within their social spaces and graphical interface tools for navigating through the spaces. This can enhance the user's ability to seek out social information and manage their online social relationships. The social mapping includes automatically collecting computer communication information relating to multiple contacts who are in computer communication with each other, one of the multiple contacts being a selected user. The computer communication information is filtered according to one or more preselected criteria to maintain the number of contacts associated with the selected user at or below a selected threshold. The computer communication information is analyzed to determine extents of similarity between the multiple contacts.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Shelly D. Farnham, Andrzej Turski, William Portnoy, David P. Vronay, Lili Cheng
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Publication number: 20070168314Abstract: A method identifies components associated with a first end point in an environment, such as a social environment. The method further identifies components associated with a second end point in the environment. A determination is made regarding whether any of the identified components are associated with both the first end point and the second end point. The method then displays relationships between the first end point, the second end point, and any components associated with both the first end point and the second end point.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2003Publication date: July 19, 2007Inventors: Shelly Farnham, William Portnoy, Lili Cheng
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Publication number: 20070106780Abstract: Social information, including computer communication information, is modeled according to a network approach, and users are provided with representations of patterns within their social spaces and graphical interface tools for navigating through the spaces. This can enhance the user's ability to seek out social information and manage their online social relationships. The social mapping includes automatically collecting computer communication information relating to multiple contacts who are in computer communication with each other, one of the multiple contacts being a selected user. The computer communication information is filtered according to one or more preselected criteria to maintain the number of contacts associated with the selected user at or below a selected threshold. The computer communication information is analyzed to determine extents of similarity between the multiple contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2007Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Shelly Farnham, Andrzej Turski, William Portnoy, David Vronay, Lili Cheng
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Publication number: 20060248584Abstract: The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates a controlled communication environment which allows a user to participate in a plurality of privacy contexts with other people in a simultaneous manner in an online community. A user can assign or define varying levels of privacy to his/her information or content to control the visibility of such information by others. In particular, a first user can maintain one or more “gardens” or stores of content which may be accessible to at least a subset of the online community. Access to the contents of any one garden can be based on the privacy level of the garden and the privacy level (e.g., access parameters) granted to the person. The privacy levels and arrangement of content can be hierarchal and/or non-overlapping. Thus, a user can seamlessly communicate with multiple users at the same time regardless of their context or privacy level while maintaining the privacy boundaries of each garden.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean Kelly, Lili Cheng, Ryszard Kott, Richard Hughes, William Portnoy
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Publication number: 20060195785Abstract: A system and method for generating a highlight view of electronic interactions, such as, emails, instant messages, audio messages and/or video messages is provided. The highlight view can facilitate a user's understanding of the electronic interactions. The electronic interactions can comprise emails associated with conversation threads of a discussion list posted and/or received by a plurality of users. The highlight view system can include, for a given period of time, a list of participants in the discussion list, a list of conversation threads and/or a linear progression of one or more of the conversation threads. The linear progression of one or more conversation threads can include signal word(s), such as, “stated, “asked”, “responded”, “wrapped up”, “disagreed”, “agreed” etc. that facilitate a user's comprehension of the individual e-mails which form the conversation thread. An electronic interactions highlight system can include an input component that receives electronic interactions (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2005Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: William Portnoy, Lili Cheng, Scott Counts
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Publication number: 20060190281Abstract: The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates self-regulation of a social network system based at least in part on user behavior, and in particular on good or desirable user behavior. The system and method involve monitoring user behavior such as user activity and user interactions with other users and the network itself. Several factors can be weighed to determine whether the user behavior is good. Network assets or rights can be allocated to good users in the form of gifts or trade exchange opportunities whereas less desirable or bad users may not receive such gifts or trade opportunities or assets and rights might be revoked from them. By watching user behavior and promoting good behavior in this manner, the social network can be managed and self-regulated to optimize the utilization and distribution of both limited and unlimited assets (e.g., network created and user created assets or resources).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Ryszard Kott, Alwin Vyhmeister, Richard Hughes, Lili Cheng, Sean Kelly, William Portnoy
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Publication number: 20060004914Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, user component, and system for sharing media object in a network environment are disclosed. A network manager may determine a similarity metric between users of the environment, between media objects, and/or between a user and media objects. Based upon the similarity metric, the network manager may share media objects with another user if the similarity metric exceeds a predetermined value or is more similar than other retrieved media objects. A user component may also provide a network map manager to display a network map, and may provide a tailored view manager to display a web log associated with at least one of the user icons displayed in the network map.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2004Publication date: January 5, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sean Kelly, Lili Cheng, Shelly Farnham, William Portnoy
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Publication number: 20050222890Abstract: Architecture that facilitates generation of an event report that is an aggregation of public and private data related to a specific task. Information about the event is automatically compiled, including the recipients, URLs, shares, attachments, and documents, as well as location maps and social relationships. The report can be a one-page document that summarizes topics of a meeting or event, the attendees, how the attendees relate, their motivations, and what the attendees may be looking for from the meeting. The report can be formatted to structure event information in a certain way such as according to a company organizational chart, such that an attendee that is higher up on the org chart will be presented on the report higher than someone who is lower on the org chart. Moreover, attendees can be grouped according to functions, or social groupings or project groups, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2004Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Lili Cheng, Shelly Farnham, William Portnoy