Steven W Macbeth

US Patent:

7761393, Jul 20, 2010

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426827

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Elin R. Pedersen - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Jeanine E. Spence - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06E 1/00
G06E 3/00

US Classification:

706 16, 709205, 717107

Abstract:

A system that can identify, create, update and/or process a workflow based upon a current, past or future activity is disclosed. A ‘workflow’ can be defined as an activity flow that includes interaction with, or assignment of work to, people, devices, or services by a single individual or a group of individuals. Once a workflow is determined in accordance with the innovation, the system can inform other users or groups that are performing, or intend to perform, a similar or like activity. In establishing the workflow, the innovation can operate in an ad hoc or authored manner. As well, the system can employ a combination of either ad hoc or authored mechanisms in establishment of the workflow.

US Patent:

7836002, Nov 16, 2010

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426796

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond VA

International Classification:

G06N 5/04

US Classification:

706 46, 706 20, 706 21, 706 45, 706 52, 706 55, 706 62, 704200, 704202, 704259

Abstract:

A system that can automatically narrow the search space or recognition scope within an activity-centric environment based upon a current activity or set of activities is provided. In addition, the activity and context data can also be used to rank the results of the recognition or search activity. In accordance with the domain scoping, natural language processing (NLP) as well as other types of conversion and recognition systems can dynamically adjust to the scope of the activity or group of activities thereby increasing the recognition systems accuracy and usefulness. In operation, a user context, activity context, environment context and/or device profile can be employed to effectuate the scoping. As well, the system can combine context with extrinsic data, including but not limited to, calendar, profile, historical activity data, etc. in order to define the parameters for an appropriate scoping.

US Patent:

7970637, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426788

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Elin R. Pedersen - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 711, 705 712, 717106, 717107

Abstract:

A system that can enable the atomization of application functionality in connection with an activity-centric system is provided. The system can be utilized as a programmatic tool that decomposes an application's constituent functionality into atoms thereafter monitoring and aggregating atoms with respect to a particular activity. In doing so, the functionality of the system can be scaled based upon complexity and needs of the activity. Additionally, the system can be employed to monetize the atoms or activity capabilities based upon respective use.

US Patent:

8364514, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426818

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 725, 705 738, 705 742, 706 14, 706 15, 706 45, 709205, 715700, 715701, 715708, 715709, 715714, 715739, 715751

Abstract:

A unique monitoring system and method is provided that involves monitoring user activity in order to facilitate managing and optimizing the utilization of various system resources. In particular, the system can monitor user activity, detect when users need assistance with their specific activities, and identify at least one other user that can assist them. Assistance can be in the form of answering questions, providing guidance to the user as the user completes the activity, or completing the activity such as in the case of taking on an assigned activity. In addition, the system can aggregate activity data across users and/or devices. As a result, problems with activity templates or activities themselves can be more readily identified, user performance can be readily compared, and users can communicate and exchange information regarding similar activity experiences. Furthermore, synchronicity and time-sensitive scheduling of activities between users can be facilitated and improved overall.

US Patent:

8392229, Mar 5, 2013

Filed:

Jun 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/168176

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Elin R. Pedersen - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 711, 705 712, 717106, 717107

Abstract:

A system that can enable the atomization of application functionality in connection with an activity-centric system is provided. The system can be utilized as a programmatic tool that decomposes an application's constituent functionality into atoms thereafter monitoring and aggregating atoms with respect to a particular activity. In doing so, the functionality of the system can be scaled based upon complexity and needs of the activity. Additionally, the system can be employed to monetize the atoms or activity capabilities based upon respective use.

US Patent:

20070297590, Dec 27, 2007

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426810

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Jeanine E. Spence - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

MICROSOFT CORPORATION - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04M 3/42

US Classification:

37920102

Abstract:

A unique system and method is provided that facilitates managing an activity centric environment via a master profile (which includes user, group, and device profiles). The master profile follows or stays with the user and can be applied universally across devices and activities (activity templates). When profile data does not currently exist (e.g., a new activity or a new device), portions of the existing profile data can be applied to such new activities or device as appropriate. Thus, current profile data for existing or known user interactions and devices can be inferentially extended to new user interactions and devices. When conflicts arise between applicable profile data, they can be solved by applying the profile data in accordance with their priority. User intervention can be requested whereby the system can adapt previous user-based resolutions to future conflicts. Profile data can also be scaled according to the context of the user-device-activity interaction.

US Patent:

20070299631, Dec 27, 2007

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426846

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Elin R. Pedersen - Seattle WA, US
Mary P. Czerwinski - Woodinville WA, US
Jeanine E. Spence - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

MICROSOFT CORPORATION - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G06F 17/40

US Classification:

702187, 702 1, 702127, 702182, 702189

Abstract:

A system that can log user actions associated with an activity is disclosed. For example, the system can maintain a log of user keystrokes, files accessed, files opened, files created, websites visited, communication events (e.g., phone calls, instant messaging communications), etc. Additionally, the system can log extrinsic data (e.g., context data) associated with the user actions. As well, these logged actions can be aggregated, synchronized and/or shared between multiple users and/or devices.

US Patent:

20070299713, Dec 27, 2007

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/426832

Inventors:

Steven W. Macbeth - Snohomish WA, US
Roland L. Fernandez - Woodinville WA, US
Brian R. Meyers - Issaquah WA, US
Desney S. Tan - Kirkland WA, US
George G. Robertson - Seattle WA, US
Nuria M. Oliver - Seattle WA, US
Oscar E. Murillo - Seattle WA, US
Elin R. Pedersen - Seattle WA, US
Jeanine E. Spence - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/02

US Classification:

705 9

Abstract:

A system that enables generation and/or modification of an activity template is disclosed. The activity template describes overall actions and resources associated with an activity. The system can automatically convert activity logs into recipes thereby reducing effort in activity reproduction. Self-tuning via machine learning-based algorithms can be employed thereby dynamically altering the template in accordance with on-going or historical user action.