Kenneth S Robertson

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.

US Patent:

56110405, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Apr 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/417078

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:

395326

Abstract:

A system and method for minimizing clicks in the operation of a graphical user interface such as the WINDOWS operating environment is disclosed. The invention emulates a double click (referred to as the "ClickSaver" feature) which virtually eliminates the need to double click thereby making Windows easier for both the novice and experienced Windows user. A ClickSaver process determines the type of window on which a single click has occurred and, if ClickSaver is enabled and the window has been deemed eligible for a double click such as an icon or control menu, the ClickSaver process sends a double click signal in order to activate the application.

US Patent:

59779519, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Feb 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/795698

Inventors:

Damon Vincent Danieli - Bellevue WA
Kenneth Ray Robertson - Redmond WA
Timothy Edward Wood - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09B 506
G09F 1908
G09G 512

US Classification:

345156

Abstract:

An educational computer system includes a computer, a display device, a remote control character, and a wireless modem for communication between the computer and the remote control character. The remote control character can move and speak in response to signals from the computer, thereby allowing the remote control character to interact with the user and with characters displayed on the display device. When a program is run, the computer determines whether the remote control character is available. If it is not, the computer substitutes an animated character that is displayed on the display device. The computer periodically checks for the remote control characters while displaying the animated character. If the remote control character becomes available, the animated character is discontinued and the computer begins sending voice and movement information to the remote control character. Similarly, if the remote control character becomes unavailable while the program is running, the program will automatically revert to the animated character and the program will continue.

US Patent:

55981836, Jan 28, 1997

Filed:

Dec 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/570811

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 302

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:

56570503, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

Jan 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/591979

Inventors:

Lora K. McCambridge - Redmond WA
John P. Pennock - Bellevue WA
Kenneth Ray Robertson - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 302

US Classification:

345145

Abstract:

A cursor is displayed with one of several different cursor orientations depending on the current position to which the cursor points on a display screen. The "cursor orientation" refers to the alignment of the cursor relative to an edge of the display screen. When the cursor points to a position that is within a predetermined distance from one of the edges of the display screen, the cursor is not visible on the display screen. Upon detecting that the cursor is not visible on the display screen, the cursor is displayed with a different cursor orientation such that the cursor is visible on the display screen. Preferably, the cursor orientation is selected so that when the cursor is displayed with the new cursor orientation, the entire cursor is visible on the display screen.