Kenneth M Robertson

US Patent:

6480372, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/556981

Inventors:

William H. Vong - Seattle WA
Steven T. Kaneko - Medina WA
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA
Manolito E. Adan - Woodinville WA
Steven W. Fisher - Edmonds WA
Gregory G. Jones - Seattle WA
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H05K 502

US Classification:

361680, 361686, 361683, 361727

Abstract:

A computer system has a keyboard storage portion and carrier. The computer system may be a personal computer capable of generating a control signal. A keyboard holding carrier slides in and out of a processing housing. This enables selective positioning of a keyboard within the processing housing. A drive mechanism imparts reciprocal movement to the carrier and a drive control system is responsive to the control signal from the personal computer. Also included is a sensor connected to the drive mechanism that determines a position of the carrier relative to the personal computer.

US Patent:

7030837, Apr 18, 2006

Filed:

Apr 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/556982

Inventors:

William H. Vong - Seattle WA, US
Steven T. Kaneko - Medina WA, US
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA, US
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA, US
Manolito E. Adan - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345 13, 345 31, 715734

Abstract:

A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

US Patent:

7545342, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jan 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/333414

Inventors:

William H. Vong - Seattle WA, US
Steven T. Kaneko - Medina WA, US
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA, US
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA, US
Manolito E. Adan - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345 13, 345 31

Abstract:

A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

US Patent:

7786952, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Jan 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/333374

Inventors:

William H. Vong - Seattle WA, US
Steven T. Kaneko - Medina WA, US
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA, US
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA, US
Manolito E. Adan - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345 13

Abstract:

A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

US Patent:

8004475, Aug 23, 2011

Filed:

Jan 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/333413

Inventors:

William H. Vong - Seattle WA, US
Steven T. Kaneko - Medina WA, US
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA, US
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA, US
Manolito E. Adan - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345 13

Abstract:

A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.

US Patent:

55599435, Sep 24, 1996

Filed:

Jun 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/266177

Inventors:

Clark R. Cyr - Redmond WA
Jon B. Kimmich - Bellevue WA
Timothy T. Brewer - Bellevue WA
Jeffrey S. Hanson - Woodinville WA
Miles Richardson - Renton WA
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA
Cheryl Jenkins - Seattle WA
Brenda L. Diaz - Redmond WA
John G. Pierce - Vashon WA
Gregory Lee - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 314

US Classification:

395155

Abstract:

A method and computer system present a user with a target icon on a computer screen and instruct the user to place a cursor thereon and twice actuate a mouse switch. The method measures the positions of the cursor on the screen during, and the time between, the two actuations by the user, and uses these measurements to customize, for the given user, the dual actuation speed and cursor movement area used to determine a double-click input command.

US Patent:

55963471, Jan 21, 1997

Filed:

Mar 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/414210

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA
Paul E. Henderson - Bellevue WA
Samuel H. Smith - Stanford CA
Carl T. Hellings - Redmond WA
James A. Andrews - Issaquah WA
Eric W. Hanson - Bellevue WA
Timothy T. Brewer - Seattle WA
Teresa L. Kelsey - Seattle WA
Anthony R. Claflin - Bellevue WA
Daniel S. Hoeger - Woodinville WA
Lora K. McCambridge - Bellevue WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345145

Abstract:

A system determining an intended cursor location on the computer display screen and automatically repositions the cursor at the intended location. If the user selects a command that alters the contents of the display, such as opening a new window, the system analyzes the new screen display to determine whether there are user selectable options associated with the new screen display. The system determines if one of the user selectable options is a default option and automatically positions the cursor at the default option. If the new screen display is an application program, the system attempts to locate a user selectable option and repositions the cursor at the user selectable option. When the new window is closed, the system returns the cursor to the position it was at before the new window was opened. The system also predicts an intended location for a screen display that has not been altered, and automatically positions the cursor at the intended location.

US Patent:

57868182, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

Dec 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/770226

Inventors:

Timothy T. Brewer - Bellevue WA
Daniel S. Hoeger - Woodinville WA
Lora K. McCambridge - Bellevue WA
Teresa L. Kelsey - Seattle WA
Anthony R. Claflin - Bellevue WA
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA
Michael W. Van Flandern - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345339

Abstract:

A system and method for minimizing clicks in the operation of a graphical user interface such as the WINDOWS operating environment is disclosed. Provided for minimizing the need for clicking to operate a graphical user interface is a "Focus" feature, which essentially eliminates the need to click. In particular, the Focus feature eliminates the need to single click on predetermined windows and applications in order to establish a "focus". That is, as a user moves a pointer around the screen in Windows, the Focus feature essentially follows the pointer and the equivalent of a single click is sent to objects such as icons or system menus for the desktop environment, such as file manager and program manager in the explorer window of version 3. 1, or such as to system menus when the pointer passes over them.