Daniel L Robbins

US Patent:

6414677, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Sep 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/152712

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA
Maarten Roderik Van Dantzich - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06T 1500

US Classification:

345419, 345848, 345764

Abstract:

A graphical user interface in which object thumbnails are rendered on a simulated three-dimensional surface which (i) exploits spatial memory and (ii) allows more objects to be rendered on a given screen. The objects may be moved, continuously, on the surface with a two-dimensional input device.

US Patent:

6590593, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Mar 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/539817

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA
Kenneth P. Hinckley - Kirkland WA
Kirsten C. Risden - Bothell WA
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA
Maarten R. van Dantzich - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345782, 345809, 345848, 345850

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for handling a dismissed dialogue box that displays an animation in which the dialogue box moves to an off-screen space beyond the perimeter of a computer display. Based on a later user request to view the dismissed dialogue box, the present invention provides a further animation that brings the off-screen space and the dialogue box into view. Under some embodiments, multiple dismissed dialogue boxes are stored in the off-screen space and the user can manipulate the boxes when viewing the off-screen space. In some embodiments, the off-screen space is brought into view by rotating the space into the users current view. In other embodiments, the users current view is rotated to show the space.

US Patent:

6819344, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804284

Inventors:

Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345848, 345441, 345713, 345734, 345735, 345736, 345765, 345771, 345850, 345852, 345853

Abstract:

An interactive visualization of stored data includes a representation of a three-dimensional generally helical path extending between spaced apart ends of the path. Selected parts of the stored data are mapped to corresponding parts of the helical path to facilitate visualization of the stored data. The stored data may include an unbounded dimension (e. g. , time) that is mapped along the helical path. One or more user interface elements may be associated with the helical path to effect display of additional information associated with a selected part of the path.

US Patent:

6859217, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

Nov 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728935

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Kim Cameron - Bellevue WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F003/00

US Classification:

345853, 345854

Abstract:

An object having first and second intersecting hierarchies is specified. The object is illustrated with respect to the first hierarchy. The second intersecting hierarchy is presented for selection to illustrate the object with respect to the second intersecting hierarchy. In response to selecting the second intersecting hierarchy, the object is illustrated within the second intersecting hierarchy. To illustrate the object within the second intersecting hierarchy, the procedure visually morphs from the first intersecting hierarchy to the second intersecting hierarchy. This means that a first structure representing the first hierarchy is gradually changed to a second structure that represents the second hierarchy.

US Patent:

6909443, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Mar 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/540069

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Kenneth P. Hinckley - Kirkland WA, US
Kirsten C. Risden - Bothell WA, US
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA, US
Maarten R. van Dantzich - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G005/00

US Classification:

345782, 345848

Abstract:

The present invention provides a three-dimensional user interface for a computer system that allows a user to combine and store a group of windows as a task. The image of each task can be positioned within a three-dimensional environment such that the user may utilize spatial memory in order to remember where a particular task is located. In further embodiments of the invention, the three-dimensional environment includes a stage, which is used to display the task with the current focus. When a user selects a new task in the gallery, the task is moved to the stage and given focus. If a previous task was on the stage, an image of the previous task is captured. This image is then moved into the task gallery away from the stage. This process allows users to switch between multiple window configurations with a simple action.

US Patent:

6968511, Nov 22, 2005

Filed:

Mar 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/092458

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F003/00

US Classification:

715835, 715788, 715789, 715526, 715790, 715848

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a user interface, data structure and method to facilitate management and/or access to data, such as by grouping graphical representations of the data in an image space relative to cluster indicators. A given graphical representation for selected data (e. g. , a graphical object) can be associated with a corresponding cluster indicator based on its proximity to the cluster indicator. Thus, cluster membership can be changed, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, by moving graphical objects relative to the cluster indicators.

US Patent:

7119819, Oct 10, 2006

Filed:

Mar 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/540744

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Kenneth P. Hinckley - Kirkland WA, US
Kristen C. Risden - Bothell WA, US
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA, US
Maarten R. van Dantzich - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06T 15/00

US Classification:

345782, 345776, 345738, 345809, 345848, 345850

Abstract:

A user interface for a computer system controls the creation and appearance of windows in a computer display. Aspects of the interface include utilizing three-dimensional rendering technology to render two-dimensional windows as texture on three-dimensional objects, automatically positioning windows in a primary viewing area so that the windows appear aligned with each other, and providing a three-dimensional start palette that contains icons for opening windows on the display.

US Patent:

7149983, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

May 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/141233

Inventors:

George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Steven Drucker - Bellevue WA, US
Daniel C. Robbins - Seattle WA, US
Kim Cameron - Bellevue WA, US
Timothy K. Olson - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 13/00
G06F 15/00

US Classification:

715810, 715805, 715763

Abstract:

A user interface, system, and method are disclosed to facilitate specification of queries and displaying corresponding results. The user interface presents the user with dimensions that contain one or more headings arranged according to an information taxonomy, which can vary based on the intended implementation for the system and user interface. A corresponding filter or query is constructed based on the user selecting of one or more headings. The filter is applied to one or more databases to return results that satisfy the filter. The results are presented in the user interface and can include interactive items based on a particular query as well as can correspond to a fully specified task.