Michael J Graves

US Patent:

6418429, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Oct 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/176116

Inventors:

Richard Daniel Borovoy - Boston MA
Michael Graves - San Jose CA
Michael Robert Hanson - Menlo Park CA
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707 3, 707 5, 707 6, 707103, 707104

Abstract:

An integrated searching/browsing mechanism employs user-constructed information hierarchies that represent a cognitive framework for the organization of information. The hierarchies are independent of the information itself. This feature permits them to be shared among multiple users, and applied to any of a variety of different sources of information. The hierarchical organization that is provided by the framework gives the user the ability to browse around any available document database in a manner that is intuitive to the user. Two or more hierarchies can be combined to locate documents which match the criteria of both hierarchies, and thereby refine search results to an appropriate level. A relevance feedback mechanism further enhances the browsing experience, by concentrating the search results in areas that are most relevant to documents selected as being of particular interest.

US Patent:

6574620, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

May 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/150086

Inventors:

Richard Daniel Borovoy - Boston MA
Michael Graves - San Jose CA
Michael Robert Hanson - Menlo Park CA
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707 3, 707 5

Abstract:

An integrated searching/browsing mechanism employs user-constructed information hierarchies that represent a cognitive framework for the organization of information. The hierarchies are independent of the information itself. This feature permits them to be shared among multiple users, and applied to any of a variety of different sources of information. The hierarchical organization that is provided by the framework gives the user the ability to browse around any available document database in a manner that is intuitive to the user. Two or more hierarchies can be combined to locate documents which match the criteria of both hierarchies, and thereby refine search results to an appropriate level. A relevance feedback mechanism further enhances the browsing experience, by concentrating the search results in areas that are most relevant to documents selected as being of particular interest.

US Patent:

7613684, Nov 3, 2009

Filed:

Apr 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/406439

Inventors:

Richard Daniel Borovoy - Boston MA, US
Michael Graves - San Jose CA, US
Michael Robert Hanson - Menlo Park CA, US
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707 3

Abstract:

An integrated searching/browsing mechanism employs user-constructed information hierarchies that represent a cognitive framework for the organization of information. The hierarchies are independent of the information itself. This feature permits them to be shared among multiple users, and applied to any of a variety of different sources of information. The hierarchical organization that is provided by the framework gives the user the ability to browse around any available document database in a manner that is intuitive to the user. Two or more hierarchies can be combined to locate documents which match the criteria of both hierarchies, and thereby refine search results to an appropriate level. A relevance feedback mechanism further enhances the browsing experience, by concentrating the search results in areas that are most relevant to documents selected as being of particular interest.

US Patent:

7769741, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Nov 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/611252

Inventors:

Richard Daniel Borovoy - Boston MA, US
Michael Graves - San Jose CA, US
Michael Robert Hanson - Menlo Park CA, US
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707706

Abstract:

An integrated searching/browsing mechanism employs user-constructed information hierarchies that represent a cognitive framework for the organization of information. The hierarchies are independent of the information itself. This feature permits them to be shared among multiple users, and applied to any of a variety of different sources of information. The hierarchical organization that is provided by the framework gives the user the ability to browse around any available document database in a manner that is intuitive to the user. Two or more hierarchies can be combined to locate documents which match the criteria of both hierarchies, and thereby refine search results to an appropriate level. A relevance feedback mechanism further enhances the browsing experience, by concentrating the search results in areas that are most relevant to documents selected as being of particular interest.

US Patent:

7984065, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Jul 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/845476

Inventors:

Richard Daniel Borovoy - Boston MA, US
Michael Graves - San Jose CA, US
Michael Robert Hanson - Menlo Park CA, US
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707778

Abstract:

An integrated searching/browsing mechanism employs user-constructed information hierarchies that represent a cognitive framework for the organization of information. The hierarchies are independent of the information itself. This feature permits them to be shared among multiple users, and applied to any of a variety of different sources of information. The hierarchical organization that is provided by the framework gives the user the ability to browse around any available document database in a manner that is intuitive to the user. Two or more hierarchies can be combined to locate documents which match the criteria of both hierarchies, and thereby refine search results to an appropriate level. A relevance feedback mechanism further enhances the browsing experience, by concentrating the search results in areas that are most relevant to documents selected as being of particular interest.

US Patent:

58731075, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

Mar 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/625486

Inventors:

Richard D. Borovoy - Boston MA
Michael J. Graves - Redwood City CA
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA
Sunil Vemuri - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1721

US Classification:

707501

Abstract:

Text entry and information retrieval are combined in such a way as to automatically offer an author continuous retrieval of information potentially relevant to the text he is authoring. The author enters text in one portion of the user interface. Keywords are extracted from the text as the author enters them and are used as query words for an information retrieval mechanism to a document collection. Those queries return relevant information from the document collection in a second portion of the user interface. The user can then read or ignore the returned information or he can select the returned information to view the full context from which it came.

US Patent:

48039535, Feb 14, 1989

Filed:

Oct 5, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/104292

Inventors:

Michael S. Graves - Toluca Lake CA

International Classification:

A01K 1500

US Classification:

119 29

Abstract:

A cat toy is disclosed herein having a stationary base housing a take-up reel storing a length of line with a weighted end. A motor and resilient propulsion unit are pivotally carried as an assembly on the base wherein energy is stored in the propulsion unit in response to drawing of the line onto the reel by the motor. Gear means are selectively coupled with the reel for driving the reel so as to withdraw the line. The pivotal connection of the motor/propulsion unit assembly provides an over-the-toggle mechanism responsive to the storage of energy in the propulsion unit to disengage the motor from the reel to release the stored energy for tossing the weighted end of the line from the propulsion unit.

US Patent:

58420096, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Sep 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/723793

Inventors:

Richard D. Borovoy - Boston MA
Michael J. Graves - Cupertino CA
Nagabhushan Rao Machiraju - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

395601

Abstract:

Portable electronic devices containing user's calendars have proliferated. Similarly, files, web pages, databases and information sources have become commonplace. The present invention combines knowledge of the current date and time with knowledge of entries in the user's calendar to automatically generate queries against those files, databases and information sources. The results of those queries are then made available to the user in order to provide the user with additional information about the subject of the meeting, the other attendees, their employers, etc. The present invention connects multiple devices together in a passive information retrieval model, leveraging off of mobile, desktop, and server systems, context data and search and retrieval technology. The present invention is thus an automatic search and retrieval system providing its user with relevant information to a scheduled meeting or event.