Paul A Erickson

US Patent:

6874143, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Jun 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/599812

Inventors:

Michael C. Murray - Kirkland WA, US
Paul R. Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Oliver G. Fisher - Ottawa, CA
Suryanarayanan V. Raman - Mercer Island WA, US
Michael J. Hopcroft - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F009/44
G06F003/00

US Classification:

717173, 717169, 717168, 717170, 717171, 719328

Abstract:

Methods and systems for network-based or Internet-based software delivery are described. In one embodiment, an application program or software platform resides on a client. The program or platform is configured so that it is extensible based on software extensions that are deliverable over a network such as the Internet. Various extensions can be developed by third party developers for incorporation into the program or platform. In the described embodiment, extension files that comprise a software extension are hosted on an Internet server. Additional files are also hosted on the Internet server and describe aspects of the software extension. These additional files include files that describe a logical attachment of the extension to the program of platform, as well as files that describe the location of the extension files. Extensions are incorporated on a client by navigating to a particular Internet site through which the extensions can be accessed. The files describing the extension files are downloaded on the client.

US Patent:

7000230, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Jun 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/599048

Inventors:

Michael C. Murray - Seattle WA, US
Paul R. Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Oliver G. Fisher - Redmond WA, US
Suryanarayanan V. Raman - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 9/44

US Classification:

717172, 717170

Abstract:

Methods and systems for network-based or Internet-based software delivery are described. In one embodiment, an application program or software platform resides on a client. The program or platform is configured so that it is extensible based on software extensions that are deliverable over a network such as the Internet. Various extensions can be developed by third party developers for incorporation into the program or platform. In the described embodiment, extension files that comprise a software extension are hosted on an Internet server. Additional files are also hosted on the Internet server and describe aspects of the software extension. These additional files include files that describe a logical attachment of the extension to the program or platform, as well as files that describe the location of the extension files. Extensions are incorporated on a client by navigating to a particular Internet site through which the extensions can be accessed. The files describing the extension files are downloaded on the client.

US Patent:

7293047, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/691905

Inventors:

Melissa W. Dunn - Woodinville WA, US
Oliver G. Fisher - Ottawa, CA
Vivien Park - Seattle WA, US
Paul Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Jon Perlow - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707204, 707203, 707102, 707101

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing data stored in remote stores. Data stored in locations such as computer applications, consumer electronic devices and Internet websites is synchronized with a central database within a computer device. The computer device may also store constraints that limit the type of data that may be synchronized with individual stores. A graphical user interface may use different formats or icons to distinguish between data stored in a store and data included within the central database.

US Patent:

7346848, Mar 18, 2008

Filed:

Jun 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/599298

Inventors:

Scott L. Ruthfield - Seattle WA, US
Richard J. Wolf - Seattle WA, US
Michael J. Hopcroft - Kirkland WA, US
Paul R. Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Satoshi Nakajima - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

715749, 715802

Abstract:

A user interface (UI) in the form of a single navigable window enables a user to navigate to and between multiple different functionalities that are provided by a single application program. Novel use is made of a navigation model that manages the user's navigation activities to and between the different functionalities. Navigation instrumentalities enable the user to navigate among the different functionalities and include links to each of the different functionalities as well as browser-like navigation buttons. Context-sensitive command sets can also be provided along with the single navigable window. The context sensitive command sets include commands that automatically change as the user's computing context changes, e. g. as the user moves from functionality to functionality. The single application can be defined as a software platform that is extensible to receive and incorporate different functionalities.

US Patent:

7392522, Jun 24, 2008

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/953933

Inventors:

Michael C. Murray - Kirkland WA, US
Paul R. Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Oliver G. Fisher - Ottawa, CA
Michael J. Hopcroft - Kirkland WA, US
Suryanarayanan V. Raman - Mercer Island WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 9/45

US Classification:

717174

Abstract:

Methods and systems for network-based or Internet-based software delivery are described. In one embodiment, an application program or software platform resides on a client. The program or platform is configured so that it is extensible based on software extensions that are deliverable over a network such as the Internet. Various extensions can be developed by third party developers for incorporation into the program or platform. In the described embodiment, extension files that comprise a software extension are hosted on an Internet server. Additional files are also hosted on the Internet server and describe aspects of the software extension. These additional files include files that describe a logical attachment of the extension to the program or platform, as well as files that describe the location of the extension files. Extensions are incorporated on a client by navigating to a particular Internet site through which the extensions can be accessed. The files describing the extension files are downloaded on the client.

US Patent:

7499989, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

Aug 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/206096

Inventors:

Louis Amadio - Sammamish WA, US
Paul Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Oliver Fisher - Ottawa, CA
Keira Amos - Seattle WA, US
David Streams - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709222, 715778

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying information, such as a gadget or a part and for dragging and dropping the part from a web page onto a separate location on a display such that the part is instantiated at the separate location and configured based on setting information contained within a representation of the part. Data associated with the part can be downloaded from a remote site.

US Patent:

7512896, Mar 31, 2009

Filed:

Jul 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/898656

Inventors:

Eric S. Rockey - Seattle WA, US
Shannon P. Talbott - Kirkland WA, US
Gavin M. Kelly - Seattle WA, US
Nancy E. Jacobs - Redmond WA, US
Michael J. Hopcroft - Kirkland WA, US
Daniel J. Westreich - Seattle WA, US
Jonathan D. Perlow - Seattle WA, US
Paul R. Erickson - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715779, 715811

Abstract:

Methods and systems present commands to a user within a software application program by determining the user's context within the application program and automatically presenting in a user interface commands that pertain to the user's current context. When the user's context changes, the context-sensitive commands are automatically removed from the user interface. In one implementation context blocks and context panes are employed to present the commands.

US Patent:

7577705, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Jan 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/346891

Inventors:

Jordan L. K. Schwartz - Seattle WA, US
Sean O. Blagsvedt - Seattle WA, US
Peyman Oriezy - Kirkland WA, US
Paul R. Erickson - Sammamish WA, US
Andrew F. Boardman - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709206, 709201, 709203, 709204

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to providing extensible and adaptable software communications controls for handling communication between devices. An extensible communications control is used to communicate between the computing device and a remote communications device. In a computing program that has been adapted to use the extensible communications control, information about a contact person is retrieved. From the retrieved contact information, it is determined what types of activities may be used to communicate with the contact person at the remote communications device. Once a communication activity has been determined from the contact person's information, a communication request is sent to a communication address associated with that communication activity. Upon acceptance the extensible communications control commences communication with the remote communications device.