James R Finger

US Patent:

7657519, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/955593

Inventors:

Blake E. Anderson - Bothell WA, US
James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
Jennifer J. Marsman - Redmond WA, US
Kuldeep Karnawat - Bellevue WA, US
Mark B. Mydland - Bothell WA, US
Paul M. Malolepsy - Seattle WA, US
Thomas D. White - Carnation WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707 5, 707 2, 707 3, 707100

Abstract:

A method is provided for analyzing a plurality of search sessions to identify intent-based clusters therein. Each session comprises at least one received query from a user and a corresponding set of returned search results, and each set of search results includes or refers to at least one piece of content. Each cluster represents a group of similar search sessions that are perceived as representing a common purpose and that can be mapped to a common set of search results. In the method, for each search session, each received query thereof, the corresponding set of search results, and whether any particular piece of content of the search results was acceptable to the user as responsive to the corresponding search session are identified. Thereafter, search sessions are grouped into clusters.

US Patent:

7698528, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Jun 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/823510

Inventors:

Arthur William James Freeman - Kirkland WA, US
Olivier Colle - Redmond WA, US
James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 12/00

US Classification:

711170, 345543, 345619, 345668

Abstract:

Memory management techniques involve establishing a memory pool having an amount of sharable memory, and dynamically allocating the sharable memory to concurrently manage multiple sets of sequenced units of digital data. In an exemplary scenario, the sets of sequenced units of digital data are sets of time-ordered media samples forming clips of media content, and the techniques are applied when media samples from two or more clips are simultaneously presentable to a user as independently-controlled streams. Variable amounts of sharable memory are dynamically allocated for preparing upcoming media samples for presentation to the user. In one possible implementation, a ratio of average data rates of individual streams is calculated, and amounts of sharable memory are allocated to rendering each stream based on the ratio. Then, the sharable memory allocated to rendering individual streams is reserved as needed to prepare particular upcoming media samples for presentation to the user.

US Patent:

7721308, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Feb 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/355609

Inventors:

James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
John Andre Yovin - Woodinville WA, US
Olivier Colle - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corproation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/00

US Classification:

725 37, 715719, 715202, 715255, 725 87

Abstract:

Playing an interactive multimedia presentation involves pre-rendering a media object at certain times based on a frame rate of the interactive content, a frame rate of the video content (which may include video, audio, data, or any combination thereof), and a play speed of the presentation. Certain actions taken include calculating a current elapsed play time representing an amount of the presentation's play duration that has passed. Based on the calculated time, a current interactive content presentation time is ascertained from an interactive content timeline. The interactive content timeline represents times at which the media object is presentable. A subsequent interactive content presentation time is selected from the interactive content timeline. The presentation state of the media object is predicted for the subsequent interactive content presentation time. The media object is pre-rendered within a time offset period before the subsequent interactive content presentation time occurs.

US Patent:

7861150, Dec 28, 2010

Filed:

Nov 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/594352

Inventors:

Oliver Colle - Redmond WA, US
James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
Cathleen M. Guinan - Seattle WA, US
John Andre Yovin - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715203, 715719

Abstract:

Timing for execution of certain user inputs and application instructions occurring during play of an interactive multimedia presentation is discussed. A current state is defined by a state of the presentation system at the time a current media sample is being played to a user. A predicted state is defined by a state of the presentation system one or more future play times. Examples of current and predicted states include media retrieval states and media presentation states. An instruction or user input that is based on the current state is identified, and the predicted state is used to determine an effect of the instruction or input. The effect may then be executed at a predetermined time, such as after the next playable media sample is played to the user.

US Patent:

8010690, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Jun 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/146917

Inventors:

James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
Peter J. Torr - Kirkland WA, US
Praful Pratap Chavda - Redmond WA, US
Richard E. Doherty - Northridge CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

709231, 463 42

Abstract:

Arrangements and methods are provided that allow integration of connected online services within a high-definition interactive framework, and in particular within an advanced content interactivity layer. In this way, the online services may enjoy enhanced features on an advanced content media device. For example, content running on an advanced content media device may be configured to detect an online service's feature and may thus present the user with additional features that interact with the online service. An advanced content media device may detect another user's advanced content media device through a network, and in particular a media service on the network, allowing chat and synchronized playback of content. Advanced content media devices may vary, but may include, e. g. , a multimedia player, a media center, a game console, a personal computer, and so on.

US Patent:

8027518, Sep 27, 2011

Filed:

Jun 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/767733

Inventors:

Nicholas R. Baker - Cupertino CA, US
James M. Alkove - Woodinville WA, US
James E. Allard - Seattle WA, US
David Sebastien Alles - Seattle WA, US
Steven Drucker - Bellevue WA, US
James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
Todd E. Holmdahl - Redmond WA, US
Oliver R. Roup - Seattle WA, US
David H. Sloo - Menlo Park CA, US
Curtis G. Wong - Medina WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382115, 340 552, 345169, 382313

Abstract:

The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can obtain biometric data from a user as the user interacts with a device. Based upon the obtained biometric data, the architecture can determine an identity of the user and automatically apply settings associated with that particular user to the device. The settings can relate to a physical configuration of the device (or aspects, features, and/or peripherals of the device), as well as to a data set employed by the device (or components of the device). As such, a user of the device can benefit from enhanced efficiency, utility, and/or convenience.

US Patent:

8086562, Dec 27, 2011

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/165616

Inventors:

James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
Peter J. Torr - Kirkland WA, US
Jeffrey A. Davis - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707602, 707913

Abstract:

Provided are arrangements for downloading resources and managing downloaded resources. A file is requested from a HTTP server, the file associated with an original URI. The file is downloaded and assigned a handle. The file is then stored in a storage location such as a file cache or in a persistent storage location. Upon command of an advanced content playlist or sequence, the file is called by calling the handle of the file. The storing of the file may include storing the file in a location where the file is subject to an automatic removal operation. The file may be an image file or any other type of file, especially multimedia files. The automatic removal operation may occur upon a quitting or restarting of the application. If another request is made for another file, the prior downloaded file may be replaced.

US Patent:

8108787, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Feb 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351374

Inventors:

James C. Finger - Kirkland WA, US
John Andre Yovin - Woodinville WA, US
Khurshed Mazhar - Kirkland WA, US
Olivier Colle - Redmond WA, US
Arthur William James Freeman - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715766, 715767

Abstract:

In an interactive media environment, input events are distributed to a plurality of applications where each application includes zero or more script components and zero or more markup files and has a Z order which corresponds to the position of the applications' visual elements on a display. An input event processing order is utilized where the application that has focus in an interactive media environment (by virtue of its receipt of user events) is provided with the first opportunity to consume the input event. If the focused application does not consume the input event, it is then delivered to the remaining applications in top down, inverse Z order. Each application is enabled with the ability to consume an input event, pass it on to lower Z ordered applications, hide it from lower Z ordered applications, or otherwise handle it. Input event processing stops when an application consumes the input event.