Nicholas F Berry

US Patent:

7421395, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Feb 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/506767

Inventors:

Craig A. Link - Seattle WA, US
Nicholas Berry - Redmond WA, US
Dean M. Pachosa - Kenmore WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00

US Classification:

705 1

Abstract:

A system and method are provided for producing one or more unique account names in response to a user request, or in response to a user attempting to adopt another name that is unavailable. When performed in response to a user request, the method includes the steps of combining a randomly selected word element, such as an affix or adjective, and a randomly selected stem, such as a noun, to produce a random account name, and comparing the name with a list of existing account names to determine if it is unique. If so, the unique name is provided to the user for acceptance. Additional unique names can be produced by the same or a different method so that the user is presented with a plurality of unique names for consideration. For example, if the user attempts to adopt a name that is unavailable, a unique modified account name can be produced that is based on the name entered by the user. The modified name is produced by combining the requested name or a stem thereof with a randomly generated word element or a numerical seed to produce an alternate account name, comparing the name with the list of existing account names to determine if it is unique and, if so, providing it to the user for acceptance.

US Patent:

20020115488, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Feb 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/789635

Inventors:

Nicholas Berry - Redmond WA, US
Lucinda Jones - Woodinville WA, US
G. Tomlin - Bellevue WA, US
Dean Pachosa - Kenmore WA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

463/042000

Abstract:

Ranking based online competition system and method in which online game players and sports fans can compete directly with one another and have the results of their games processed into rankings. The competition comprises a season or tour of an extended time duration. Each season or tour is comprised of a number of events or tournaments, which in turn are comprised of one or more rounds or games. The system tracks the results of multiple online events and ranks the players depending on the points they score or the purses they win. The system electronically mimics an actual competition season such as a professional golf tour or a sports season comprised of a number of events. The players are ranked based on the cumulative prizes or points they have won in each of the games. Players need not be entered in all of the events to qualify for an entry on a master scoreboard that displays the rankings of players from the start of the season to a point in time. The top ranked players at the end of the season may be awarded prizes or compete in a finalist championship.

US Patent:

20080246220, Oct 9, 2008

Filed:

Apr 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/062995

Inventors:

Nicholas Berry - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

A63F 1/06

US Classification:

273292, 273459

Abstract:

A series of strategy cards that provide a convenient means for players of a Texas Hold'em Poker game to judge the strength of their pre-flop hands, otherwise referred to as their hold card sets or combinations. The relative strength of hold cards in Texas Hold'em Poker changes based on the number of players that are in a pot. The relative strength information is presented to the player in an easy to understand matrix that utilizes ordinal rankings and possibly a color coding scheme. The strategy systems may be shaded based on expected value, and the hold card sets may be abbreviated to allow both easy reference and allow printing onto small form factors that are convenient for pocket storage.

US Patent:

62632787, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/344542

Inventors:

Mark A. Nikiel - Redmond WA
Nicholas Berry - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

701210

Abstract:

A system and method for altering a portion of a pre-calculated route by allowing a user to graphically indicate the portion of the route to alter is disclosed. The user indicates the portion to be altered by navigating a pointer to a point along a graphical representation of the route and selecting the point. The point identifies which portion of the route is to be altered. The user may then alter the route by dragging and dropping the selected portion to a new destination. In essence, the user redirects the route to the new destination by dragging the selected portion of the route to the new destination.

US Patent:

61820083, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/344437

Inventors:

Mark A. Nikiel - Redmond WA
Nicholas Berry - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F16500
G06F 1730

US Classification:

701202

Abstract:

A computer-implementable method for ordering destinations to be visited in a computationally-efficient manner and which achieves an acceptable level of optimization of the order for those destinations is disclosed. The computer-implementable method orders destinations to be visited by identifying the position in an existing order of destinations where the insertion of a new destination will result in the shortest increase to the straight-line length of the route. More specifically, a single, continuous line connects each of the destinations to be visited. The continuous line is composed of multiple "links. " Each link is a straight line connecting two destinations. The total length of the continuous line is the sum of the lengths of each link. The order of the destinations defines the order in which the continuous line visits each destination. A new destination is added at a position in the existing order of destinations that results in the shortest increase to the straight-line length of the continuous line.