John S Tang

US Patent:

6349327, Feb 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/203811

Inventors:

John Tang - Palo Alto CA
Ellen Isaacs - Sunnyvale CA
Trevor Morris - Mountain View CA
Thomas Rodriguez - San Francisco CA
Alan Ruberg - Foster City CA
Rick Levenson - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 1516

US Classification:

709205, 709201, 345758

Abstract:

A computer system and method provide networked computer users with information about which other users are task proximate to the user, thereby facilitating spontaneous communications regarding task-related, or other, issues. The information about other users is displayed in a user interface window on each computer that presents a visual representation of each user who is task proximate to the user operating the computer. Task proximity to other users may change as the user context switches between applications, and the user interface window is updated accordingly. Task proximity is determined individually by different applications. One exemplary system architecture for providing the information includes a person object representing each user, and storing the visual representation of the user. An encounter window on each computer displays the visual representations. A number of encounter-aware applications may execute on each computer.

US Patent:

6532477, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Feb 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/511539

Inventors:

John C. Tang - Palo Alto CA
Randall B. Smith - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

7071041, 707 1, 707 6, 707101, 707102

Abstract:

A system generates an audio signature for a data item based on a source identifier associated with the data item. The system receives a source identifier along with a data item and maps the source identifier to the audio signature using a mapping function that allows a user to distinguish the audio signature from other audio signatures generated for other sources. The mapping functions always map the same source identifier to the same audio signature. The system outputs the audio signature to a user. This enables the user to associate the audio signature with the source. The data item can include, an electronic mail message, a pager signal, a telephone call, a data item in an instant messaging system, an indicator of an entry of a new participant into a conference call or a chat room, or an electronic cookie that identifies a client computer system to a web site.

US Patent:

6686933, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479192

Inventors:

John C. Tang - Palo Alto CA
James M. A. Begole - Mountain View CA
Nicole Y. Mordecai - Weston MA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345751, 345 22

Abstract:

A lightweight indicator provides an indication of divergence of views for a collaboratively used user interface element. The lightweight indicator identifies the magnitude of the divergence of views. The user interface may be, for example, a graphical widget, such as a mouse cursor or a scrollbar. The indicator is âlightweightâ in that the indicator only subtly modifies the appearance of the user interface element. The indicator is also âlightweightâ in that it provides an indication without incurring significant computational or memory overhead.

US Patent:

6731308, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Mar 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/521486

Inventors:

John C. Tang - Palo Alto CA
Nicole Y. Mordecai - Weston MA
James M. A. Begole - Mountain View CA
Janak R. Bhalodia - Indio CA
Max G. Van Kleek - Charlestown MA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345751, 345753, 345756, 345758

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods and systems for providing distributed parties reciprocal information regarding each others activities. For example, the method of the invention provides selected information regarding the availability of an intended recipient to engage in a communication session with an initiator, and reciprocally informs the intended recipient of the initiators access to such information. Further, the method of the invention can provide a signal to an intended recipient to indicate an initiators intention to establish a communication session. Further, the method of the invention provides a signal to each party to indicate whether a communication session has been established. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for informing the participants in a communication session of a partys intention to terminate its participation in the session.

US Patent:

6791583, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/011535

Inventors:

John C. Tang - Palo Alto CA
Nicole Y. Mordecai - Weston MA
James M. A. Begole - Mountain View CA
Francis C. Li - El Cerrito CA
Max G. Van Kleek - Boise ID
Janak R. Bhalodia - Indio CA

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345751

Abstract:

In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use. The awareness information can further include an indication of one or more of each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user being contemporaneously in use.

US Patent:

6934737, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/577223

Inventors:

John C. Tang - Palo Alto CA, US
Nicole Y. Mordecai - Weston MA, US
James M. A. Begole - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709204, 709219, 719310, 719329

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention provides a shared window into which a remote user can input commands from a remote computer system subject to access control. The system operates by receiving a command from the remote user on the remote computer system, wherein the command is directed toward the local computer system in order to operate the local computer system. If the command passes a filtering process, the system executes the command to a local operating system so that the command can operate on the local computer system. The system also displays the command on the shared window on the local computer system so that a local user can view the command. The system additionally allows the command to be displayed on a remote copy of the shared window on the remote computer system, so that the remote user can view the command. In one embodiment of the present invention, if the shared window is in an approval mode, the filtering process involves allowing the local user to approve the command. If the local user approves the command, the system allows the command to pass the filtering process.

US Patent:

6988248, Jan 17, 2006

Filed:

Jun 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/885597

Inventors:

John Tang - Palo Alto CA, US
Chris Ryan - Mountain View CA, US
Trevor Morris - Mountain View CA, US
Ellen Isaacs - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06T 13/00

US Classification:

715839, 715753, 715759, 715821, 715709, 715838, 345473

Abstract:

Animated indicators monitor the state of a software container and reflect the state of the container, potentially including information such as amount, type, and activity of the container. As the state of the container changes, an animation routine accordingly changes. Users are presented with up-to-date and detailed information about a container represented by a small graphic pictorial. Thus, the user receives a continuous supply of useful information about the container without having to specifically select and view the container as a full screen representation.

US Patent:

7106851, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/349381

Inventors:

John C. Tang - Palo Alto CA, US
Mark A. Bilezikjian - San Francisco CA, US
Nicole Y. Mordecai - Weston MA, US
James M. A. Begole - Mountain View CA, US
Brian K. Raymor - McLean VA, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04M 1/00

US Classification:

37935501

Abstract:

A system and method for connecting pending and preset telephone calls to facilitate transitioning to a phone call. Embodiments of the present invention include a method for anticipating and connecting a telephone call comprising identifying a trigger action associated with an anticipated outgoing telephone call, retrieving a phone number associated with said trigger action, and automatically setting a programmable speed dial button wherein by selecting the speed dial button, said phone number associated with said trigger action is dialed. Embodiments of the present invention also include a system for anticipating and connecting outgoing telephone calls comprising a computer system comprising a processor coupled to a bus, a database coupled to said bus, a call engine coupled to said bus wherein said call engine identifies trigger actions associated with outgoing telephone calls and retrieves phone numbers associated with said trigger actions, and a telephone coupled to said computer system wherein said telephone is coupled to a telephone network.