Michael A Mills

US Patent:

6370543, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Apr 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/847156

Inventors:

Eric M. Hoffert - San Francisco CA
Steve Smoot - San Francisco CA
Karl Cremin - Mt. View CA
Adnan Ali - London, CA
Michael Mills - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Magnifi, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

7071041, 707103, 707 10, 725113

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for searching for multimedia files in a distributed database and for displaying results of the search based on the context and content of the multimedia files.

US Patent:

6640250, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

May 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/583835

Inventors:

Shu Kuen Chang - Chicago IL
Ray Winninger - South Holland IL
Michael Mills - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 1516

US Classification:

709229, 709203, 709245

Abstract:

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for selecting wide area network resources, such as resources identified by URL values, using a rotary knob for user input. A client device having a display and a rotary knob is used for accessing network resources via a public network using an application program, such as a browser application. Rotation of the knob is detected by the client device, which adjusts the contents of a previewing window according to the rotation of the knob. The previewing window identifies graphics corresponding to predefined network resources and the graphics are output in a preview area of the display on the client device. As the user rotates the knob, the graphics for the network resources in the preview window are scrolled through the preview area of the display under control of the knob. The preview area includes a selection frame for selecting a network resource. When a graphic corresponding to a desired network resource is positioned within the selection frame, then the user depresses the knob, or other selection input device, to select the desired network resource.

US Patent:

7082572, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331776

Inventors:

Roy D. Pea - Stanford CA, US
Michael I. Mills - Redwood City CA, US
Eric Hoffert - South Orange NJ, US
Joseph H. Rosen - San Francisco CA, US
Kenneth Dauber - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Stanford CA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

715720

Abstract:

The present invention provides electronic methods and apparatus for interactively authoring, sharing and analyzing digital video content. Methods for authoring include displaying visual data, defining each traversal as a time-based sequence of frames and annotating and storing a record of the traversal and its associated audio records. Defining the traversal includes interactively panning the visual data by positioning an overlay window relative to the visual data and zooming in or out by resizing the overlay window. In alternative embodiments, the visual data may be displayed in a rectangular layout or a cylindrical layout. The methods are practiced using an integrated graphical interface, including an overview region displaying the visual data, a detail region displaying current data within the overlay window, and a worksheet region displaying a list of previously stored annotated traversal records. In a further aspect, the worksheet region list of annotated traversal records is published in a web document accessible via network using a standard HTML browser, and further annotations may be added by a community of network users. Analytical methods are also provided in which data markers corresponding to traversal records are plotted against an interactive abstract map enabling users to shift between levels of abstraction in exploring the video record.

US Patent:

7823058, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/334162

Inventors:

Roy D. Pea - Stanford CA, US
Michael I. Mills - Redwood City CA, US
Joseph H. Rosen - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University - Stanford CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/01
G06F 17/00
G09G 5/00

US Classification:

715230, 715720, 715723, 345620, 345628, 348 39

Abstract:

The present invention provides electronic methods and apparatus for interactively authoring, sharing and analyzing digital video content. Methods for authoring include displaying visual data, defining each traversal as a time-based sequence of frames and annotating and storing a record of the traversal and its associated audio records. Defining the traversal includes interactively panning the visual data by positioning an overlay window relative to the visual data and zooming in or out by resizing the overlay window. In alternative embodiments, the visual data may be displayed in a rectangular layout or a cylindrical layout. The methods are practiced using an integrated graphical interface, including an overview region displaying the visual data, a detail region displaying current data within the overlay window, and a worksheet region displaying a list of previously stored annotated traversal records.

US Patent:

8060386, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Apr 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/433720

Inventors:

Peter W. Stevenson - Burlingame CA, US
Kevin C. Dunn - Roseville CA, US
Michael Mills - Redwood City CA, US

Assignee:

Trustnode, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00

US Classification:

705 4, 705 35

Abstract:

The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand. By employing a semi-automated model, the system of the present invention can answer many questions via predetermined vignettes and automated answers generated by expert systems, while still utilizing live human experts (often transparently) when necessary.

US Patent:

8307273, Nov 6, 2012

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331775

Inventors:

Roy D. Pea - Stanford CA, US
Michael I. Mills - Redwood City CA, US
Eric Hoffert - South Orange NJ, US
Joseph H. Rosen - San Francisco CA, US
Kenneth Dauber - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Stanford CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715201, 715205, 715208, 715230

Abstract:

The present invention provides electronic methods and apparatus for interactively authoring, sharing and analyzing digital video content. Methods for authoring include displaying visual data, defining each traversal as a time-based sequence of frames and annotating and storing a record of the traversal and its associated audio records. Defining the traversal includes interactively panning the visual data by positioning an overlay window relative to the visual data and zooming in or out by resizing the overlay window. In alternative embodiments, the visual data may be displayed in a rectangular layout or a cylindrical layout. The methods are practiced using an integrated graphical interface, including an overview region displaying the visual data, a detail region displaying current data within the overlay window, and a worksheet region displaying a list of previously stored annotated traversal records. In a further aspect, the worksheet region list of annotated traversal records is published in a web document accessible via network using a standard HTML browser, and further annotations may be added by a community of network users. Analytical methods are also provided in which data markers corresponding to traversal records are plotted against an interactive abstract map enabling users to shift between levels of abstraction in exploring the video record.

US Patent:

8402506, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Jan 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/327188

Inventors:

Michael Mills - Redwood City CA, US
Philip Mckay - San Francisco CA, US
Michael Hoch - Campbell CA, US
Kumiko Tanaka Toft - Carlsbad CA, US
Rod Perkins - Menlo Park CA, US

Assignee:

Yahoo! Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/10
H04N 7/025

US Classification:

725153, 725 32

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided to implement a number of improvements to the consumption process for television (and other services), including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. A content distribution server manages the delivery of television, messaging, on demand audio or video, online gaming, and other entertainment and information services to a plurality of client devices (e. g. , televisions, personal computers, enhanced telephones, etc. ). The server components include a television application component, messaging component, and application components that integrate the various services to deliver, for example, enhanced television, which includes television broadcast enhanced with messaging services, Internet access, informational alerts, and/or the like. Informational alerts allow a user to customize the timing and types of alerts being presented in parallel with the delivery of other services, such as television broadcast or online gaming.

US Patent:

8448136, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Jun 25, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/492049

Inventors:

Michael I. Mills - Redwood City CA, US
Justin M. Glaeser - Los Altos CA, US
Sharla K. Fullerton - Brisbane CA, US
Aline Baeck - Sunnyvale CA, US
Kumiko T. Toft - Palo Alto CA, US
Noah D. Shaffer - Pleasanton CA, US

Assignee:

Intuit Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G06F 9/44

US Classification:

717120, 717107, 717127, 717162, 717178

Abstract:

Methods are provided for creating a composite program module within a computing ecosystem. The ecosystem comprises physical and/or virtual computing resources of a company, department or other organization. When a user discovers a grouping of modules that is useful to him, the ecosystem or his workspace allows him to create a composite module that comprises the group of modules. He can then access their combined functionality by activating just the composite module, in which case all the modules are automatically opened, without having to activate each one individually. Further, the ecosystem may suggest complementary program modules to a user based on his pattern of activity with one or more other modules. A composite program module may be created to include a suggested complementary module, or just modules discovered independently by the user.