Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Chris E Tobey

Renee Marceau

Kurt D DelBene

Jeffrey B Reifman

Mark A Malamud

Daniel F Plastina

Russell Irvin Sanchez

David A Barnes

William T Flora

Joyce A Grauman

Kevin Michael Schofield

Karen L Baker

Eric L Van Doren

Virginia E Howlett

Steven T Kaneko

Steven W Fisher

David A Bolnick

Terence R Spies

Michael B Robin

Yung-Ho Shih

Isaac J Heizer

Wesley O Rupel

Michael D Edwards

Issac J Heizer

Rosanne M Lehmann

Mark R McCulley

Robert B Seidensticker, Jr

Roxanne M Lehmann

James C Bovee, Jr

A computer system having a video display runs an operating system that provides a desktop environment to a user and a file system. The desktop environment has associated systems settings that affect the desktop environment. In this method, a first set of values for at least a portion of the system settings are stored in a storage device in a computer network so that the first set of values is visible in the file system. A second set of values, for the same portion of the system settings for which values are stored in the first set of values, is also stored in the storage device such that the second set of values is visible in the file system. In response to a choice by the user between the first set of values and the second set of values, the system settings are updated to have the values specified by the chosen set of values.

Aggregation of system settings into objects

A remote control for controlling a plurality of controllable devices includes a processor, a display screen coupled to the processor, and memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes a program module to solicit information from a user regarding operation of the plurality of controllable devices to perform an activity.

Activity based remote control unit

A control panel provides controllers for setting the values of system settings. Each controller controls a subset of related system settings. Scheme objects are provided for encapsulating values of system settings for a controller. The current values of system settings controlled by a controller may be updated by applying the values held within a scheme. Grand schemes are provided for aggregating the system settings for multiple controllers. Thus, the system settings controlled by multiple controllers may be updated in a single transaction by applying a grand scheme to the control panel. Easily practiced approaches to applying schemes and grand schemes to the control panel are provided. Moreover, methods for easily creating and editing the contents of schemes and grand schemes are provided.

Remote control unit

A user interface simplifies operation of a intelligent facsimile machine (IFAX). A display screen displays a plurality of menus and allows the user to select from the menus. The IFAX can store a plurality of digital cover pages to minimize transmission time for a facsimile cover page. The user may select from a list of stored digital cover pages. The user may also attach a binary data file to a facsimile message and transfer the data to another facsimile machine. The IFAX uses a storage location for storing outgoing facsimile messages. The IFAX periodically check the storage location to determine if more than one facsimile message is to be transmitted to the same location and transmits the facsimile messages in one facsimile telephone call. If the IFAX is coupled to a second IFAX on a network, the two IFAX machines can balance the work load by sending a load transfer request if the number of outgoing facsimile messages exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The IFAX can also route incoming facsimile messages to a variety of destinations such as a floppy disk or other storage device, or an external computer. The IFAX can also relay incoming facsimile messages to another facsimile machine, using a set or relay instructions. The relay instructions may be stored in the IFAX or may be a portion of the incoming facsimile message. The relay instructions may be nested, and the IFAX sends the facsimile message to a second IFAX with instructions for the second IFAX to relay the facsimile message to a third facsimile machine. The IFAX contains security measures to prevent unauthorized relaying.

System and method for facsimile load balancing

A user interface simplifies operation of a facsimile machine (FAX). A display screen displays a plurality of menus and allows the user to select from the menus. The display contains a touch-sensitive screen to allow the user to select menu options by touching the display screen in a position corresponding to the displayed menu option. The user interface is context sensitive and can interpret the user selections in determining which menu to display. If the user makes an incorrect selection, the system instructs the user as to the proper selection.

Facsimile machine with custom operational parameters

An apparatus and method for navigating through an application program on a computer coupled to a computer-controlled display screen. The user can control the cursor position on the computer-controlled display using simple controls. The invention may use a hand-held controller with a four direction control button and a function select button. The computer accepts the direction input information and moves the cursor or focus according to one of three different navigation functions. The first two navigation functions are selected by the application program, and may change from one navigation to another in different portions of the program or under user control. With the first navigation function, the direction buttons on the controller shift the focus from one hot spot to another hot spot in the selected direction using predefined criteria. With the second navigation function, the focus is shifted from a present position on the computer-controlled display to the adjacent position in the selected direction. If the function select button is depressed while the focus is on a hot spot, the function associated with that particular hot spot are enabled. A third navigation function is enabled if the function select button and the directional control button are both depressed. With the third navigational function, the focus moves from the current position in any direction selected by the directional control button. The focus movement may simultaneously occur in two dimensions using any of the navigational functions if the user selects directions in two dimensions on the four directional control button.

Apparatus and method for controlling cursor movement

System and method for facsimile cover page storage and use

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Chris E Tobey