Merle L Robinson

US Patent:

7280853, Oct 9, 2007

Filed:

Dec 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/012814

Inventors:

Amer A. Hassan - Kirkland WA, US
Abhishek Abhishek - Woodinville WA, US
Jenelle R. Coberly - Monroe WA, US
Merle Michael Robinson - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04B 1/38

US Classification:

455574, 4553435

Abstract:

A network node selects a “sleep” level based on its current or projected battery capacity. In an embodiment of the invention, sleep levels define the types of communication to which the node in question will be a party. The node in question communicates its selected sleep level to the rest of the network so that the other network nodes can communicate accordingly with the node.

US Patent:

8509563, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Feb 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/275908

Inventors:

Merle Michael Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Matthieu T. Uyttendaele - Seattle WA, US
Zhengyou Zhang - Bellevue WA, US
Patrice Y. Simard - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06K 9/36
G06K 9/20
H04N 1/04

US Classification:

382284, 382321, 358474

Abstract:

A system for generating soft copy (digital) versions of hard copy documents uses images of the hard copy documents. The images may be captured using a device suitable for capturing images, like a camera phone. Once available, the images may be processed to improve their suitability for document generation. The images may then be processed to recognize and generate soft copy versions of the documents represented by the images.

US Patent:

20070162569, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Jul 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/456397

Inventors:

Merle Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Eric Hennings - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

ICEBREAKER, INC. - St George Town

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709219000

Abstract:

A mobile social interaction system that enables users to communicate to desired candidates via handheld and/or mobile devices is provided. User profiles or other criteria can be employed in order to facilitate matching candidates. The innovation enables the users to anonymously communicate via voice, video and/or text messaging communications. Additionally, the innovation provides for the ability to record a state, suspend an application/service based upon the state at commencement of a communication, and restore the application to the recorded state upon termination of the communication.

US Patent:

20080070697, Mar 20, 2008

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855911

Inventors:

Merle Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Eric Hennings - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

ICEBREAKER, INC. - George Town

International Classification:

A63F 13/12

US Classification:

463042000

Abstract:

A mobile social interaction system that enables users to participate in social networking games and activities via handheld and/or mobile devices is provided. User profiles or other criteria can be employed in order to facilitate matching candidates within a gaming environment. The innovation enables the users to communicate within a gaming environment via voice, video and/or text messaging communications.

US Patent:

20080086261, Apr 10, 2008

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855927

Inventors:

Merle Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Eric Hennings - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

ICEBREAKER, INC.

International Classification:

G01C 21/00
G06F 15/16
G06F 17/30
G06N 5/00

US Classification:

701200000, 706045000, 707005000, 709206000

Abstract:

Systems (and corresponding methods) that enable location-based information to be incorporated within a social networking environment are provided. More particularly, the innovation can track locations and trigger notifications to users with regard to persons of interest within their proximate locale. In aspects, ‘proximate’ can be defined by a user and stored within a personal profile together with other person of interest criteria. By entering this information into a user's profile, it can be possible to locate candidates and potential persons of interest.

US Patent:

20080086431, Apr 10, 2008

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855918

Inventors:

Merle Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Eric Hennings - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

ICEBREAKER, INC.

International Classification:

G06F 17/18
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

706011000, 709206000

Abstract:

A system (and method) that enables and administers notifications and messages within a social networking service is provided. The system can prompt notification in a number of scenarios including, but not limited to, when a user expresses interest in another user, when new messages arrive, when unread messages are available, etc. Additionally, the innovation enables messages to be communicated upon a detection of a mutual interest between two users or members. Further, messages can be presented to a user in most any desired manner, e.g., ranked, ordered, etc.

US Patent:

20080086458, Apr 10, 2008

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855924

Inventors:

Merle Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Eric Hennings - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

ICEBREAKER, INC.

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

707003000

Abstract:

Systems (and corresponding methods) that enable use of tagging technology and tag management within a social networking environment are disclosed. These tags can include words, phrases, symbols, pictures, audio clips, video clips or the like. The innovation enables ‘snag-a-tag’ functionality whereby users can ‘snag’ (or copy) tags from other user's profiles. Still further, the innovation provides for tag ‘clustering’ where most any algorithm can be employed to relate tags within the environment. The innovation can also provide for identification of ‘common’ as well as ‘unique’ tags which refer to tags in common to or unique within a defined list of profiles.

US Patent:

20080120390, May 22, 2008

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/855929

Inventors:

Merle Robinson - Redmond WA, US
Eric Hennings - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

ICEBREAKER, INC.

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709207000, 709204000

Abstract:

Systems (and corresponding methods) that enable users to transition virtual social networking encounters into the real world are provided. The innovation discloses mobile technologies that enable users to advertise a date to others, and for helping pairs of users to create a date on their mobile phone or online. Additionally, the innovation discloses systems that facilitate generation of ‘reverse’ advertisements. Still further, the innovation discloses mechanism of scheduling a date by way of asynchronous planning, and real-time date planning, for example via a third party.