Patents by Inventor William T. Flora

William T. Flora 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: 11061939
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Marc Randall Whitten
  • Publication number: 20190278790
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten
  • Patent number: 10331708
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten
  • Patent number: 9411434
    Abstract: Switching between an arm's length user interface and a distance user interface is provided. A first user interface optimized to operate a computer from an arm's-length distance is presented on a display. A command is received. It is determined whether the command is from a wired device or a wirelessly-connected device. When the command is from a wired device, then the first user interface continues to be presented. When the command is from a wirelessly-connected device, then the display is toggled from the first user interface to the distance user interface. The distance user interface is optimized for operating the computer from a television-viewing distance. The television-viewing distance measured in feet is approximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device measured in inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Parker, William T. Flora, Jr., Jeffrey C. Fong, Mark R. Gibson, Mark D. Mackenzie, Molly Scoville Rhoten, Tandy W. Trower, Mark Jeffrey Weinberg, Christopher Daniel Williams, Rodger William Benson
  • Patent number: 8370744
    Abstract: A new user interface, a distance user interface, in a computer system for operating a computer from a television-viewing distance is provided. A centralized display is provided enabling a user to access streaming video and sound as well as music files, video files, and picture files from a single screen. Collaborative sharing of media content is provided by enabling a computer's operations and feedback to be collectively observed from a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Parker, William T. Flora, Jr., Jeffrey C. Fong, Mark R. Gibson, Mark D. MacKenzie, Molly Scoville Rhoten, Tandy W. Trower, Mark Jeffrey Weinberg, Christopher Daniel Williams, Rodger William Benson
  • Patent number: 8117094
    Abstract: A system to facilitate royalty tracking is provided. The system includes at least one tag to identify a portion of a creative work. A distribution component tracks the portion of the creative work and a crediting component reports usage of the creative work when the portion is detected in a larger body of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Boyd Cannon Multerer, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric Peter Wilfrid, Nigel Stuart Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver Roup, James Morris Alkove, Zachary Lewis Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten, Andrew David Wilson
  • Patent number: 7761812
    Abstract: Outputting a user interface having a list of a plurality of representations of media items on a display of a computing device is presented. In one embodiment, a center locking region (CLR) is defined in the user interface and covers a portion of the plurality of representations, wherein navigation from a first representation within the CLR to a second representation outside the CLR causes a scrolling of the second representation into the CLR on one horizontal side and a scrolling of a third representation within the CLR out of the CLR on the other horizontal side while navigation through a portion of the plurality of representations within the CLR causes no scrolling. In another embodiment, a gap indicating a beginning and an end of the list is displayed and a scrolling occurs when the gap is within the CLR and a horizontal navigation within the CLR is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bojana Ostojic, Christopher A Glein, Mark R. Gibson, William H Vong, William T Flora, Benjamin N Alton, Mark S Newell
  • Publication number: 20090171902
    Abstract: A system that can automatically capture life experiences of a user across a number of senses or perceptions is provided. Once the data is captured, it can be annotated and saved for subsequent playback. The innovation also enables the data to be synchronized to for playback, for example, audio can be time-synced to a corresponding video with a corresponding smell, etc. Still further, the innovation provides for controls that enable a user to adjust or select granularity for capture as well as playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew B. MacLaurin, William T. Flora, Steven N. Bathiche, Boyd Cannon Multerer, John Mark Miller, Bret P. O'Rourke
  • Publication number: 20090006225
    Abstract: A system to facilitate royalty tracking is provided. The system includes at least one tag to identify a portion of a creative work. A distribution component tracks the portion of the creative work and a crediting component reports usage of the creative work when the portion is detected in a larger body of work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Boyd Cannon Multerer, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric Peter Wilfrid, Nigel Stuart Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver Roup, James Morris Alkove, Zachary Lewis Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten, Andrew David Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090005079
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten
  • Patent number: 6714215
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) allows a user to directly access items of visual and/or audio media by passing a cursor over points on an electronic map. Indicators in the form of icons representing media items can be displayed and can be accessed through a media viewer. A determination is made whether a position indicator or pointer, such as a cursor, is located proximate to a GUI location that is associated with supplemental content in the form of a media item. If so, an indicator is presented to advise the user that supplemental content is indeed associated with that location on the interface. For example, a media icon representing one or more media items can be displayed on the output device proximate to the location of the input device indicator. This indicator serves as a prompt or cue for the user to select the indicator if the user desires to review the supplemental content. A determination is made whether the media icon has been selected in response to an input signal issued by an input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Flora, Robert Edward Parkin, Christopher R. Fox, Gregory R. Slayden
  • Publication number: 20030234809
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a computer remotely whereby a hand-held device is used to input commands to control the computer. A logical connection is established within a network computing environment between the hand-held device and the computer. Client and server applications are started that facilitate two-way communication between the computer and the hand-held device. Media devices and entertainment devices connected to the computer can also be controlled by the hand-held device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Parker, Martin R. Calsyn, William T. Flora, Jeffrey C. Fong, Gopala Krishna R. Kakivaya, Molly Scoville Rhoten, Mark Jeffrey Weinberg, Bryan A. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20030234804
    Abstract: A new user interface, a distance user interface, in a computer system for operating a computer from a television-viewing distance is provided. A centralized display is provided enabling a user to access streaming video and sound as well as music files, video files, and picture files from a single screen. Collaborative sharing of media content is provided by enabling a computer's operations and feedback to be collectively observed from a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Parker, William T. Flora, Jeffrey C. Fong, Mark R. Gibson, Mark D. MacKenzie, Molly Scoville Rhoten, Tandy W. Trower, Mark Jeffrey Weinberg, Christopher Daniel Williams, Rodger William Benson
  • Patent number: 6664979
    Abstract: A computer system having a video display runs an operating system that provides a desktop environment to a user and a file system. The desktop environment has associated systems settings that affect the desktop environment. In this method, a first set of values for at least a portion of the system settings are stored in a storage device in a computer network so that the first set of values is visible in the file system. A second set of values, for the same portion of the system settings for which values are stored in the first set of values, is also stored in the storage device such that the second set of values is visible in the file system. In response to a choice by the user between the first set of values and the second set of values, the system settings are updated to have the values specified by the chosen set of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Schofield, Daniel Plastina, Joyce Alison Grauman, Mark A. Malamud, David A. Barnes, Chris E. Tobey, Roxanne M. Lehmann, Renee Marceau, William T. Flora, Eric L. Van Doren, Virginia E. Howlett, Isaac J. Heizer, David A. Bolnick
  • Patent number: 6122558
    Abstract: A control panel provides controllers for setting the values of system settings. Each controller controls a subset of related system settings. Scheme objects are provided for encapsulating values of system settings for a controller. The current values of system settings controlled by a controller may be updated by applying the values held within a scheme. Grand schemes are provided for aggregating the system settings for multiple controllers. Thus, the system settings controlled by multiple controllers may be updated in a single transaction by applying a grand scheme to the control panel. Easily practiced approaches to applying schemes and grand schemes to the control panel are provided. Moreover, methods for easily creating and editing the contents of schemes and grand schemes are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barnes, Joyce A. Grauman, Renee Marceau, Virginia E. S. Howlett, Kevin Schofield, Mark A. Malamud, Issac J. Heizer, Daniel F. E. Plastina, Chris E. Tobey, Rosanne M. Lehmann, William T. Flora, Eric L. Van Doren
  • Patent number: 5914717
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for displaying animations of menus solely in response to a cursor pointing in proximity to a menu marker that is displayed on a video display. Multiple menu markers may be displayed on the video display and each menu marker may be associated with a different menu. The animation may produce the visual effect of the menu sliding out of an associated menu marker. A dynamic control mechanism may be used to control the performance of the animation of the menu to account for different platforms and different processing states. In addition, audio output may accompany the animation of the menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft
    Inventors: Robert Kleewein, William T. Flora
  • Patent number: D527375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Flora, Jeffrey Cheng-yao Fong