For Plural Users Or Sites (e.g., Network) Patents (Class 715/733)
  • Publication number: 20140059439
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing information in a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes selecting a first object to be linked, selecting a second object for linking with the first object, and linking the first object with the second object. By linking two objects, a user is better able to determine the context in which one or both object are known, thus improving usability of the information. Moreover, a descriptive tag may be used to link the two objects, thus providing additional information by which to associate one object with another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thirumalarao VOONNA, Niranjan
  • Publication number: 20140058766
    Abstract: A method and system to automatically add events to a user's electronic calendar are described. The system may detect that a user has an interest in a particular event by examining user activity outside of an electronic calendar. The system may then automatically, or upon request by the user, add the event to the user's calendar. Additional embodiments are described having various levels of automation in the detection of the user's interest and adding of the event to the user's electronic calendar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yu, Qing Guo
  • Patent number: 8661346
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for instructing a user interface (UI) in communication with a first of vision processor (VP) to establish communication with a second (VP). The invention is useful in a machine vision system having a plurality of VPs and at least one UI. The method includes the steps of providing each VP with a link function for establishing communication between a VP and a UI; and activating the link function so as to issue instructions to the UI to establish communication with another VP. The link function enables local dynamic display of a remote VP on the UI, and a dynamic connection that provides a continually updated display representing a current state of the VP connected to the UI. An operator may observe results and alter parameters on any of the VPs in the system without having to first understand the architecture of the machine vision system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Olson, Steven Webster, Jordan Holt, John McGarry
  • Patent number: 8661360
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching a VM screen in an environment in which a plurality of OSs operating on a virtual machine monitor (VMM), are provided. The VM screen switching apparatus provides VM screen switching so that features of a home screen or an operation screen provided by each VM can be shown. The VM screen switching apparatus provides a user interface for enabling a user to select a desired VM from a plurality of VMs. The apparatus determines a VM to be displayed as a foreground according to a user input signal, and combines graphic data of a currently displayed screen of a VM with graphic data for a screen of the determined VM to create a screen displaying VM screen switching, and outputs the created screen to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bok-Deuk Jeong, Sang-Dok Mo, Sung-Min Lee, Sang-Bum Suh
  • Patent number: 8661359
    Abstract: Messages to a focal user are organized by relevance of the message originators. A visual representation of the messages includes a focal user representation (textual or graphic) and multiple contact representations (textual or graphic). The contact representations are displayed at respective relevance distances from the focal user representation. Text regions present the contents of messages from the source contacts, e.g., using graphic novel-style word balloons. The contact representations can be positioned on screen in maps, radar format, or other configurations. Users can filter contacts according to relevance, and can filter messages by pertinence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kfir Karmon, Roy Varshavsky, Daniel Sitton, Limor Lahiani
  • Patent number: 8659623
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) virtual world wormhole includes hosting a 3D virtual world, and creating a wormhole at a selected location in the 3D virtual world for automatic transport of an avatar from the selected location to a selected destination in the 3D virtual world. Policies may be defined for the wormhole where the wormhole operates in accordance with the defined policies. An avatar may be automatically transported from the location to any one of a plurality of destinations based on a current capacity of each of the plurality of destinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wiliam B. Nicol, II, Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Daniel E. House, Peter F. Haggar
  • Patent number: 8661513
    Abstract: In one embodiment a computing system comprises one or more processors, a display device coupled to the computing system, and a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors. The memory module comprises logic to receive, in a connection server, a service request from a user via a remote connection client, wherein the service request comprises at least one of a user credential, a connection client identifier, and a layout identifier, authenticate, in the connection server, the user credential and the connection client identifier, retrieve, in the connection server, a user profile associated with the user, a connection client layout associated with the layout identifier, connection data for at least one remote system, and a policy associated with the user profile, and transmit the user profile, the connection client layout, a remote system and the connection data for a remote system and a policy associated with the user profile from the connection server to the remote connection client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roland M. Hochmuth, Byron A. Alcorn, Jeffrey Joel Walls, Thomas J. Flynn, Quoc P. Pham, Valentin Popescu
  • Patent number: 8661358
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and sharing interactive charts are described. The interactive charts are generated in an online portal that allows users to customize the interactive features of the chart. An exemplary interactive feature includes an interactive audio feature. The interactive chart can be shared by, for example, embedding the interactive chart in an external electronic document, such as a .ppt or PDF document, that can be shared with other users. The interactive chart and/or the data associated with the interactive chart may also be purchased through an online store environment or otherwise shared with other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: iCharts, Inc.
    Inventors: Seymour Duncker, Tyron Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8661345
    Abstract: A Facebook™ application comprises logging on to Facebook™; looking in the Newsfeed for the “7 Days Out Application”; and clicking on the application for full listing of friends' plans, as well as events (sponsored by advertisers) over the next seven days. The application also comprises logging on to Facebook™; navigating to the “Home” page; clicking on the tab or icon for “7 Days Out—Share Your Plans for Next 7 Days With Friends”; uploading a statement of plans for each particular day that the user wants to let friends know plans; and saving the inputted information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Stephen Kernan
  • Patent number: 8661367
    Abstract: Provided is to a method of providing a part of content over network in which a user accesses a content provider server over a network, and selects and downloads only a part of content or receives information for accessing the part of content, or generates access information for the part of content and stores the access information in the content provider server, thereby enabling to easily access the part of content when accessing later. In the method, a user may access a plurality of parts configuring content instead of a content unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Nayoung Woo
  • Patent number: 8656302
    Abstract: A technique for presenting display screens of a plurality terminals connected to a network on a multi-window screen of a display screen of a display device. A communication unit receives image data captured and then sent by each terminal having a screen capture function. A display control unit controls an image synthesizer to synthesize the captured image data into single screen multi-window format data. A multi-window screen is thus presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Miki Nagano, Norihiro Yoshikuni
  • Patent number: 8656297
    Abstract: A computing device creates lightweight state files. The state files may include information relating to user processes, user-interface elements, and time points. When loaded, the state files restore the saved state. State files may be transferred to different computing devices thus making a computer state portable. A series of state files viewed as a stream showing changes in the system state over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Koenig, Ira L. Snyder, Neil S. Fishman
  • Patent number: 8655988
    Abstract: In order to put a network access node such as a wireless router or home gateway in a home network in operation, the node needs to be configured with several parameters requiring technical skills that an ordinary user often does not have. The present invention solves this problem by introducing a system and a method to assist the user to configure the router. The system comprises a web based wizard, an inference engine coupled to said wizard and a knowledge base coupled to said inference engine. The wizard guides the user to provide input which together with stored information retrieved from the knowledge base is processed by the inference engine. The inference engine further generates configuration data that is stored in the wireless router or home gateway. The user can without detailed technical knowledge easily configure the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Victor Souza
  • Patent number: 8656281
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a meta information acquisition section for acquiring meta information of content displayed on a first display device, a specifying section for specifying network location information of information relating to the meta information, a generation section for generating display information of a screen to be displayed on a second display device, based on the network location information, and a communication section for transmitting the display information to the second display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naoyuki Miyada
  • Patent number: 8656288
    Abstract: On a document collaboration system, such as a wiki, the content of postings to the collaboration system is monitored for sensitive information. Under some embodiments, when instances of such sensitive information are detected, an e-mail is sent to the user that posted the collaboration page posting. In other embodiments, a message is then sent to a person associated with the entity that indicates that the information placed on the collaboration page is confidential information or is related to an asset of the entity. In further embodiments, individual people are assigned responsibility for monitoring the use of certain instances of sensitive information on the collaboration system. Each user is only notified when the instances they are responsible for appear on a collaboration page. In other embodiments, if a collaboration page includes an instance of sensitive information, access to the collaboration page is changed such that fewer people can access the collaboration page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Sidney Roger, Daniel Mark Cundiff, Ari Edwin Olson
  • Patent number: 8655916
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for constructing a profile for a target user is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring electronic communications across a network to identify at least one electronic communication that identifies a target user as an intended message recipient, extracting metadata from content associated with the at least one electronic communication; and constructing a user profile for the target user on the basis of the extracted metadata. It is assumed that the message senders send their messages, including associated content, to a given target user with the belief that the content is of some interest to the target user on the basis of some knowledge regarding the target user's personality, preferences, tastes and the like. In this manner, a profiling entity may indirectly construct a profile of the target user based on the content sent by one or more message senders to the target user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Scott Roy
  • Patent number: 8650497
    Abstract: A social networking system includes a question and answer system that displays to a viewing user questions and answers provides by other users of the social networking system. The question and answer system may display answers to a particular question in a way that visually indicates both the global answer set and a subset of the global answer set, such as the viewing user's friends. The social networking system may also display to a viewing user news stories about another user asking or answering a question, where the format of the displayed new stories is based on an affinity that the viewing user has for the user who provided the question or answer mentioned in the news story. The displayed questions and/or answers may be associated with an object in the social networking system, where the user interface provides additional information about those objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Baldwin, Adrian A. Graham, Drew W. Hamlin, Benjamin E. Hiller
  • Patent number: 8645469
    Abstract: An instant messaging communication method, computer program product and apparatus. The instant messaging communication apparatus includes input means for inputting an instant message and a semantic tag for the instant message; a network module for transmitting the input instant message and semantic tag and receiving an instant message with a semantic tag; construction means for constructing a visual topic structural diagram of the transmitted and received instant messages according to the semantic tag; and display means for displaying the visual topic structural diagram. An embodiment of the communication apparatus provides structured guidance to the user's discussion, directs the user to make pertinent announcement and enables the user to easily sum up the main points of the discussion from the log through a visualized topic structural diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Yan Chi, Tian Shu Wang, Wen Peng Xiao
  • Patent number: 8645835
    Abstract: Session initiation using successive inputs is described. In an implementation, a determination is made as to when a sufficient number of successive inputs have been collected to uniquely identify two or more clients from a plurality of clients. Each of the successive inputs is input via a respective user interface output by a respective client. Responsive to the determination, an interactive session is initiated involving the two or more clients that were uniquely identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Fry
  • Patent number: 8644684
    Abstract: In order to provide a recording and reproducing device that allows a user to select and manage arbitrary play lists, a unit of management for managing all registered play list information and an upper management hierarchical level are added. The unit of management is adapted to be handled on the same level with unified information that indicates a reproduction range of all AV data. User-defined unified information is adapted to be handled on the added management hierarchical level. The user-defined unified information is formed to allow arbitrary reproduction ranges contained on a lower hierarchical level to be registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Yoshida, Junji Shiokawa, Hiroo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8645836
    Abstract: An audience platform is disclosed. In a first example case, a first question is received. A preference event associated with the first question is received. A score is determined for the first question based at least in part on the preference. In a second example case, indications of a first and second potential interviewee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential interviewees are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential interviewees based at least in part on the received preference events. A designated interviewee is selected based on the first and second scores. In a third example case, indications of a first and second potential awardee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential awardee are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential awardees based at least in part on the received preference events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation
    Inventor: R. Kevin Rose
  • Patent number: 8645373
    Abstract: A computer implemented process encompasses the following steps: Identify the user's current media content library/ies; Analyze the content of those libraries, deriving a “taste signature” for the user from that analysis; Match the derived “taste signature” to other media content and to other users; and provide the user with recommendations based on that automatic matching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Omnifone Limited
    Inventors: Mark Knight, Christopher Evans, Tom Boswell
  • Publication number: 20140033052
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Real View Imaging Ltd.
    Inventors: Aviad KAUFMAN, Carmel ROTSCHILD
  • Publication number: 20140033050
    Abstract: A method of transmitting an inquiry message, performed by a display device, includes operations of reproducing content in the display device; receiving an input from a user, wherein the input from the user is related to the content; generating an inquiry message about the content, based on the input from the user; extracting information, which is related to the input from the user, from the content; and transmitting the extracted information and the inquiry message to an external device that is connected with the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In-young SHIN, Won-jong Choi
  • Publication number: 20140033051
    Abstract: Processor based systems and methods for providing a communication between a first and a second user are disclosed, one example method comprising receiving a first service request from the second user interface, authorizing a first communication type to the second user interface and the first user interface based on a profiles of a service provider profile, the first user and the second user profile, and providing the first communication type as the communication. In some embodiments, the systems and methods further comprise providing a notification to at least one of the first user interface or the second user interface of a service event based on the service provider profile. In some embodiments, the step of authorizing the communication service based on a service provider profile comprises comparing the service request to at least one service provider profile attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Perwaiz Nihal
  • Publication number: 20140033049
    Abstract: A method and a system for contextual recognition through screen-sharing are provided. Example embodiments may include receiving a data stream related to a presenter screen in a network-based collaboration session from a first user; extracting characteristic data from the data stream; associating added data with the data stream, based on the data; and presenting, in real time, to a second user, a viewer screen including the data stream and the added data. The method may also include recognizing the characteristic data before the extracting of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 8640034
    Abstract: Under the present invention, an illustrative feature is to provide a method and system/structure for remotely controlling multiple computer systems by interacting with GUIs. Specifically, the present invention allows a controlled computer/system to be remotely controlled via a controlling computer/system. To this extent, data/action capture instrumentation is provided on the controlling system for automatically creating a representation of content of the GUI of the controlling system, for automatically observing a set of actions performed by a user on the GUI of the controlling system, for automatically creating a representation of the observed actions, and for sending to the controlled system the representation of the observed actions. In addition, execution instrumentation is provided on the controlled system for receiving the representation and replicating the actions on the controlled system by interacting with a GUI of the controlled system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Bergman, Vittorio Castelli, Tessa A. Lau, Daniel A. Oblinger
  • Publication number: 20140026057
    Abstract: Techniques for remote application access are described. Some embodiments provide access to an application executing on a host system via a Web browser of a client device. A user operating the Web browser may request access to the application via a uniform resource identifier. A service executing on the host system receives the request and facilitates access to the application. Facilitating access may include transmitting to the Web browser image data corresponding to a window or graphical user interface generated by the application and stored on the host system. Client logic executing within the Web browser receives the image data and displays a local copy of the application window on the client device. The client logic also forwards user input events made with respect to the to the local window to the remote presentation service, which in turn forwards the events to the window/application on the host system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: VMWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew KIMPTON, Jonathan CLARK, Sarel Kobus JOOSTE
  • Patent number: 8635613
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the packaging of software. A plurality of workflow modules is implemented for the management of software packaging operations. An admin workflow module is implemented on an administrator system, which determines a software package to be assigned to a remote user for software packaging operations. The assignment is then routed to a remote user workflow module implemented on the remote user's system. The admin workflow module determines the virtual machine (VM) configuration requirements of the software packaging operation. If an existing VM with the required configured is not available, then instructions are provided to a virtual machine manager (VMM) to generate a VM with the required configuration. The software package is then loaded and control of the VM is released to the remote user through a virtual private network (VPN) connection. The remote user then performs the assigned software packaging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Miguel Vargas, Jr., Michael J. Slaven
  • Patent number: 8635533
    Abstract: A device and method for scheduling follow-up events in relation to an existing event record. The device receives an input follow-up request associated with the existing event record and automatically generates a follow-up event record having information in its field populated using the information contained in the existing event record. The date of the follow-up event is automatically generated based upon the date of the existing event record. If the existing event record is a recurring event, then the date of the follow-up event is based on the frequency of recurrence. The follow-up event record may be displayed for user editing and may be transmitted to the attendees to propose scheduling of the follow-up event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Scotte Zinn
  • Publication number: 20140019866
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for handling human interface device events using a user-space application. For example, a touch screen device and controller are in communication with a first processor on one side of a data link, and the first processor is in communication with a second processor on another side of the data link. The first processor receives touch screen events from the touch screen controller, along with associated coordinates, and packetizes the touch screen event data for communication over the data link to the second processor. The data is received at the second processor by a user-space application operable to parse the link traffic to receive the touch screen events and associated coordinates and to generate a corresponding graphics manager event from the touch screen event. The graphics manager event can be communicated to a graphics manager application that controls the display of the touch screen device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory Michael Stone
  • Patent number: 8631082
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Scott Moudy, Aarthi Natarajan, Asta Roseway, Geeven Singh, George Joy, Ranjib Singh Badh, Richard Michael Eames, Marcella C. S. Rader, Alexandra K. Heron, Vasudha Chandrasekaran, Nicole Danielle Steinbok, Steven Abrahams, Troy A. Schauls, Amy Wai-Yee Ip, Melora Zaner-Godsey, Seshagiri Panchapagesan, Jeroen Van Turennout, Vlad Cretu
  • Patent number: 8631329
    Abstract: A method is provided for the restitution of multimedia data transmitted by a gateway to a communications terminal via a first transmission channel. The method includes the following steps: interrogating the terminal via the gateway about its capabilities of restituting the multimedia data; transmitting, to the gateway via the terminal, a list of commands that it is capable of executing; transmitting, via the gateway, multimedia data with the aid of at least one series of commands that is part of the list of commands that can be executed by the terminal, and restituting, in this terminal, the multimedia data with the aid of the received command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: France Telecom
    Inventors: Stephane Rouchy, Christophe Dion, Matthieu Malledant
  • Patent number: 8631332
    Abstract: Displaying a preference by a user of a content contribution is disclosed. A preference event by the user is detected. A plurality of detected events is stored. In response to a query from a client, at least a portion of the stored detected events is stored. At least a portion of the received events is displayed in an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation
    Inventors: R. Kevin Rose, Michal Jan Migurski, Shawn Paul Allen, Eric W. Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 8626832
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for displaying a conversation summary is provided. The method may include providing a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to allow communication between a number of users. The method may also include displaying an invitation to join a conversation at the graphical user interface from at least one of the users and displaying a summary of the conversation in a tag cloud on a computing device. Numerous other variations and embodiments are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Kieran Jerrard-Dunne, David Ryant Millen, Michael Roche
  • Patent number: 8624955
    Abstract: Techniques are described to provide a fixed video feed display from a remote participant to a conference room, where the display further includes remote participant information. In one embodiment, for example, a method may include receiving a connection from a remote participant, retrieving metadata related to the remote participant, and displaying a video feed from the remote participant along with the metadata in a dedicated position in a conference room. The metadata may provide information about the remote participant, as well as points of interest that may aid in conversation with the remote participant. The remote feed remains in the dedicated position throughout the conference, creating the effect of the remote participant being in the room. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Josh Watson, Simone Leorin, Paul Kwoka
  • Publication number: 20140006954
    Abstract: Techniques for device connections using touch gestures are described. A method may comprise receiving a first gesture input at a first electronic device, receiving, at the first electronic device, a second gesture input from a second computing device in proximity to the first computing device, comparing the first gesture input and the second gesture input, and establishing a wireless connection between the first computing device and the second computing device if a similarity of the first gesture input and the second gesture input meets or exceeds a similarity threshold based on the comparing. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GIUSEPPE RAFFA, SANGITA SHARMA, CHIEH-YIH WAN
  • Publication number: 20140006955
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for presenting status data received from multiple computing devices in a single central interface. A computing device can be configured to gather and transmit status data. Status data can include any type of data known or discoverable by a computing device. The computing device can also be configured to receive status data from other computing devices and display the status data in a central interface. This functionality can be implemented as part of the operating system running on the computing device. The computing device can also utilize the received status data to select performance options regarding the performance of the computing device. For example, a computing device can select to disable functionality that requires the availability of a target computing device upon a determination that the target computing device is unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Froimowitz Greenzeiger, Mehul K. Sanghavi
  • Patent number: 8621352
    Abstract: A method is provided in one particular example that includes identifying an attempt by a first communications device to play video data within a virtual meeting session using a first media player. The first communications device can be sharing at least a portion of a desktop presented on the first communications device with one or more other remote communications devices participating in the virtual meeting session. The method can also include identifying a copy of the video data, and launching one or more media players to present at least a portion of the copy of the video data on the one or more other remote communications devices. The one or more media players are launched to correspond to a location of the first media player on the shared portion of the desktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianzhong Ding, Haitao Xin, Zheng Yuan, Guangbing Liu, Hailei Sheng
  • Patent number: 8621367
    Abstract: A method for multiple users to jointly interact with web-based search results is provided. Selections of the search results by a user are immediately communicated to other users. Viewing options may be customized on a per-user basis for greater individual control over viewing the results. Results may be further acted upon to complete transactions. Individual results are easily referenced in chat windows. Status of query and transactions are communicated to all users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Chang, Zur Nehushtan
  • Patent number: 8621365
    Abstract: A file sharing method and a file sharing system are provided. The system includes a first file processing apparatus and a second file processing apparatus with wireless transmission function to transfer files therebetween. At first, the first file processing apparatus is coupled to the second file processing apparatus. The first file processing apparatus automatically or manually executes a file sharing software to receive desktop information of the second file processing apparatus, and the file sharing software integrates a desktop of the first file processing apparatus with the desktop information to generate a integrated desktop shown on the first file processing apparatus. The second file processing apparatus processes a file in response to a control operation of an icon on the integrated desktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Wen Luo, Wen-Chieh Tseng, Shun-Lung Wang, Yi-Lung Tsai, Tang-Lung Lo, Ling-Wei Hou
  • Publication number: 20130346870
    Abstract: The present technology delivers a multi-user targeted content package to a group of users. The multi-user targeted content package can include single-user and multi-user interactive content. A multi-user targeted content package can be delivered in bursts so that multiple users receive the content package during the same time period. In some cases, users can be grouped into instances of the multi-user targeted content package based on factors such as location, language, demographics, bandwidth, skill level, and/or other similarity measures. Additionally, some multi-user content can require a minimum number of users before the content becomes fully active, such as a multi-player game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Froimowitz Greenzeiger, Steven C. Bredenberg
  • Publication number: 20130339863
    Abstract: A user is enabled to initiate a user experience through use of a first device. Information is sent to the first device in support of the user experience. Input is receive from the user. One of termination of the user experience and transferring of the user experience to a second device is selected in response to receipt of input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Bharat Prasad
  • Patent number: 8612535
    Abstract: Calendar repair using a standard message may be provided. Calendar events, such as appointments and meetings, may be created and copied to a plurality of attendee calendars. A first copy of the event may be compared to a second copy of the event to determine whether properties between the events are out-of-sync. If so, a standard meeting request message comprising the correct value may be sent to update the out-of-sync property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Ribeiro da Fonseca Mendes, Vanessa C. Feliberti, Firdosh R Ghyara, Sina Hakami, Matthias Leibmann, Paul David Tischhauser
  • Publication number: 20130332838
    Abstract: A user device includes a user interface providing access to content from multiple content providers, each of the multiple content providers having a separate subscription associated with the user. The user device receives user input indicating interest in an aspect of particular content available from a first content provider of the multiple content providers and provides, to a network device, an indication of the user interest. The user device receives, from the network device, links to additional content available from a different content provider and related to the aspect of the particular content. The user device presents, via the user interface, the links to the additional content in association with the aspect of the particular content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicants: CELLCO PARTNERSHIP D/B/A VERIZON WIRELESS, VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Naggar, Ashutosh K. Sureka, Kristopher T. Frazier, Alison Kay Allen, Ryan Evans, Rahim Charania, Shuchi Patel
  • Patent number: 8607145
    Abstract: A network diagnostic component that is placed in-line between two nodes in a network. The network diagnostic component receives a low speed signal pattern from the first node for communication with the second node; records the low speed signal pattern in a memory; writes one or more markers specifying information about the low speed signal pattern in the memory; interprets the one or more markers to ascertain the type and duration of the low speed signal pattern; and displays a graphical representation of the low speed signal pattern based on the interpretation of the one or more markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Venkata Rama Mohana Rao Kotturu, Kiranmai Vedanabhatla
  • Patent number: 8607149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for highlighting related user interface controls to selected items in order to improve the ease of use and the intuitiveness of a graphical user interface. In preferred embodiments, user interface controls that are related to a selected object in the display are uniquely highlighted when an object is selected to show the user what user interface options are related to or available to perform some action on the selected object. The preferred embodiments of related highlighted controls can be used in conjunction with prior art highlighted controls that show what actions are available to the user for the current environment or cursor location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Hintermeister, Michael D. Rahn
  • Publication number: 20130326355
    Abstract: Techniques for receiving user feedback for an instance of content. Embodiments provide an interface that includes an interactive element through which users can provide feedback for an instance of content. Responsive to a first user interacting with the interactive element, an indication of user feedback from the first user is registered for the instance of content, and the interactive element within the interface is disabled for the first user. Embodiments monitor the instance of content to detect changes to the instance of content. Additionally, upon detecting a change to the instance of content, the interactive element is enabled for the first user, such that the first user can again interact with the interactive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Pak, Adam Semeniuk, Christopher E. Adamson, Michael L. Vanloon, James C. Warnock, Charity J. Gerbrandt, Amanda D. Penner, Marc Silbey
  • Publication number: 20130326354
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for selecting and personalizing content items, including but not limited to advertisements, are disclosed. A content item is selected from a plurality of content items. The selection is based at least in part on first information relating to a user's interactions with the electronic device. Each content item is associated with code that, when executed, personalizes the content item for the user based at least in part on second information relating to the user's interactions with the electronic device. The code associated with the selected content item is executed to personalize the selected content item. The content item is presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: James Anderson
  • Patent number: 8601381
    Abstract: Providing a customizable online environment for a user on a client. An instruction is received from the user for assigning a background image for the online environment. The online environment is to be rendered on a display of the client. One or more graphical elements are identified on the background image. A profile is received from the user, and the profile includes a plurality of user-customizable data each having properties associated therewith. Graphical representations are provided for the plurality of user-customizable data. Each of the graphical representations depends on and visually indicates the properties associated with each of the plurality of user-customizable data. The provided graphical representations are rendered onto a position of the background image on the online environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Asta Roseway, Carolyn J. Fuson, Jeffrey S. Davison