Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Microsoft Corporation

Michael W Van Flandern

Manolito E Adan

Jeffrey C Fong

Timothy T Brewer

Frederic Azera

Christen E Coomer

Daniel L Poling, Jr

Mark K Svancarek

Lora K McCambridge

Hajime Suzuki

Pasquale DeMaio

Chad Magendanz

Kenneth R Robertson

Anthony R Claflin

Jon B Kimmich

Daniel S Hoeger

Teresa L Kelsey

Carl J Ledbetter

Aditha May Adams

James David Johnston

William Jefferson Westerinen

Robert George Atkinson

John E Elsbree

Thomas G Phillips

Steve T Kaneko

Dale Clark Crosier

Jeffrey Alan Davis

Kirk O Olynyk

Eric Gould Bear

Robert Scott Plank

John Graham Pierce

Kevin Michael Schofield

Carl T Hellings

Paul E Henderson

Mohamed Belali

Eric W Hanson

James A Andrews

Richard Bruce Kash

Daniel Dean

William Tom Blank

John Elsbree

Daniel Poling

Christen Coomer

A unified discovery interface presents broadcast discovery data relating to broadcast content available via a broadcast channel and non-broadcast discovery data relating to non-broadcasting content available via a virtual channel of the unified discovery interface. In one implementation, the virtual channel is customizable via a discovery interface relationship parameter that indicates a relationship of the virtual channel within the unified discovery interface. The unified discovery interface allows a user to select between broadcast media content available via a broadcast channel and non-broadcast media content available via the virtual channel.

Customizing virtual channels in a discovery interface

A discovery interface presents aggregated discovery data in a discovery interface through which a user may select between television content and Internet Protocol content. In one implementation, the discovery interface includes a television channel region associated with a television channel that lists television programs. The discovery interface further includes an Internet Protocol content region associated with the television channel that lists Internet Protocol content based on user navigation within the television channel region.

Aggregating discovery data in a discovery interface

A discovery interface facilitates the selection of available media content. Content-relevant graphical tiles are displayed in strips within the discovery interface. In this manner, a user can survey graphics associated with available content. When the discovery interface section (e.g., a row) is in focus, the graphical tiles are expanded as compared to the tiles in sections that are not in focus to provide easier viewing by the user. Furthermore, when an individual tile is in focus, then the tile expands further to be wider and taller than any of the other tiles in the associated tile strip. In one implementation, the focused tile is also highlighted, such as with a distinguishing border. In another implementation, metadata associated with the content of the focused tile is displayed in the proximity of the focused tile.

Graphical tile-based expansion cell guide

A computing system is equipped with one or more ports, each of which includes a plurality of coupler lines configured to engage connectors that may be associated with different types of external services and/or devices, including public switched telephone networks, Ethernet networks, ISDN networks, and/or telephone devices. Upon detecting a connection to a port, a controller evaluates at least one electrical property of the lines of the port. Based on the evaluation, the controller determines if the port is engaged with a known type of service or device. When the type of service or device is known, the controller selectively switches a plurality of port lines to appropriate communications subsystems to enable the computing system to communicate with the device or service. For example, a conventional telephone device can then be used as an audio input/output device for communication over the Internet rather than over a public switched telephone network.

System and method for providing a universal communications port with computer-telephony interface

A unified discovery interface that presents aggregated discovery data for media content available via multiple content delivery types is provided. In one implementation, the discovery data may be aggregated via a discovery data ingestion module to provide a compilation accessible by one or more client modules. The one or more client modules may present the aggregated discovery data in the unified discovery interface through which a user may select between first media content available via a first content delivery type and second media content available via a second content delivery type. In another implementation, a client module may aggregate discovery data and provide a unified discovery interface through which a user may select between first media content available via a first content delivery type and second media content available via a second content delivery type.

Aggregating content from multiple content delivery types in a discovery interface

The present invention is directed to a method and system for automatic calibration of an acoustic system. The acoustic system may include a source A/V device, calibration computing device, and multiple rendering devices. The calibration system may include a calibration component attached to each rendering device and a source calibration module. The calibration component on each rendering device includes a microphone. The source calibration module includes distance and optional angle calculation tools for automatically determining a distance between the rendering device and a specified reference point upon return of the test signal from the calibration component.

System and method for calibration of an acoustic system

A system and method for improved real-time communications in a computer system that eliminates the distinctions between various communication devices, communication channels and types of communication, including voice, text and video, is provided. When connected for communication, the user may easily move between modalities, including switching devices on which the user is communicating, switching networks, and transitioning between types of communication. A computer system includes various integrated communications-related devices, and a controller controls those devices based on user actions entered via buttons or user interface software and provides notifications to the user. The user is able to input data via any appropriate input mechanism, and receive data on any suitable output mechanism. Improved non-linear caller ID navigation is also provided.

Real-time communications architecture and methods for use with a personal computer system

A computer telephony interface adapter (CTIA) for interfacing a computing device, a telephone, and a telephone network. The CTIA communicates with the telephone network using a telephone network protocol, such as a PSTN or a PBX protocol. Also, the CTIA communicates with a POTS telephone or a PBX telephone according to the telephone network protocol and with the computing device according to a data communication protocol, such as a USB or wireless protocol. The CTIA includes a controller in communication with the telephone network, the telephone, and the computing device. The controller converts communications between the telephone network protocol and the data communication protocol. In addition, the controller selectively couples the telephone into communication with the telephone network and the computing device at the same time. Thus, the CTIA enables local control over real-time shared communication among the telephone, telephone network, and computing device.

Computer telephony integration adapter

A user activates switches comprising a keypad of a telephone to produce a dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signal that controls the characteristics of a wireless control signal that is transmitted to control another device. The DTMF tones produced by the keypad are scanned by a microcontroller or by the processor of a personal computer that is coupled to the telephone. In response to detecting predefined DTMF tones from the keypad, an infrared or radio frequency wireless control signal is transmitted to the other device to affect a corresponding control function. For example, when a telephone call is received, the '*' key followed by another predefined key on the keypad can be activated to produce a wireless control signal that causes an audio/video component to be muted. The remote control functionality of the telephone keypad can also be used for other purposes, such as controlling a cursor on a display or making a selection.

Telephony remote control

A digital joystick operates in a digital mode or an analog emulation mode. In the digital mode, the joystick generates digital data indicating the position of a control stick and the status of buttons and transmits the digital data to the computer. The joystick may be coupled to the computer through a game port or a conventional interface port. Computer software operating within the computer can receive digital data directly from the joystick if it is operating in the digital mode. When in the analog emulation modes the joystick emulates resistances related to the position of the control stick. The emulated resistance data emulates the value of corresponding resistances in a conventional joystick. The resistance values may be derived from a programmable resistor, a programmable impedance, or a programmable current source. Multiplexers may also be used to couple the appropriate resistance value to the conventional game port input.

System and method for the software emulation of a computer joystick

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.

Method and system for activating focus

A technique for emulating a computer game port uses a memory manager software program to detect output instructions from a computer software program to the game port. In response to the detected output instruction, the memory manager diverts program operation to an interrupt routine wherein position data is read from a data frame and one or more game port delay times are calculated to correspond with the position of the selected positional control device. The delay times correspond with the delay times of a conventional analog joystick coupled to a conventional game port. The memory manager also detects input instructions from computer software program to the game port and diverts the computer software program to an interrupt servicing routine in which the emulated delay times are used to load a data register that is read by the computer software program. The data bits in the data register correspond to the delay time bits and are initially set to a first logic level during the delay time period, and reset after the expiration of the delay time period. In this manner, any positional control device can be used to provide position data to emulate a computer game port. The computer may also contain a plurality of positional control devices, each supplying its position data in a predetermined format to the data frame within the computer memory. A data selector indicates the source in the data frame of each direction of positional control device movement. In response to intercepted output instructions from the computer software program, the system reads position data from the user selected data source and calculates the emulated delay times accordingly.

System and method for positional control device data source selection

A digital joystick coupled to a conventional computer game port tests for the presence of electrical circuitry to support two joysticks and dynamically configures the digital data for transmission to button inputs for either one or two joysticks in the game port. The digital joystick configures the data for transmission to three or more button input lines on the game ports if it detects the second joystick circuitry, and configures the data for transmission to only two button inputs corresponding to the first joystick if it does not detect the second joystick circuitry. The digital joystick generates a clock which is coupled to one button input in the game port. The remaining button inputs are used to transfer data. Within the computer, the system determines the presence of electrical circuitry for the second joystick and is configured to accept data from both joystick inputs that are active. The computer is configured to accept data from only the first joystick if the second joystick input is not active. The system automatically configures the data to correspond with the electrical circuitry present within the game port without any intervention by the user.

System and method for dynamic data packet configuration

A game port interface is disclosed which permits bidirectional communication between a game port and a peripheral device. In one embodiment, the peripheral device is a digital joystick and the game port sends commands to the digital joystick. The game port interface includes one or more timers whose inputs are coupled to resistances within the joystick. Also coupled to the timer inputs are capacitors such that the resistors in the joystick form a charging network with the capacitors in the game port interface. When an output instruction to the game port is executed, the capacitors coupled to the timer inputs are charged to a predetermined voltage. The timer input is also coupled to an inverter within the joystick. The output of the inverter switches to a low logic level when the timer input is charged above a logic threshold. The output of the inverter is coupled to an interrupt input on a microprocessor within the joystick. The microprocessor interprets one or more interrupts as commands and takes appropriate action. In one embodiment, the first interrupt causes the digital joystick to transmit data corresponding to the position of the joystick. If a second interrupt is transmitted to the joystick while the first interrupt is being processed, the second interrupt is interpreted as a second command. Each interrupt transmitted to the joystick while the joystick is processing the previous interrupt is interpreted as a new command. For example, if the joystick is processing the second interrupt, and a third interrupt request is detected at the interrupt input, this is interpreted as a third command. The digital joystick of the present invention is also capable of operating in an analog emulation mode. The game port can send similar commands using the interrupt circuitry described above to the joystick while in the analog emulation mode.

Apparatus and method for bidirectional data communication in a game port

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.

Method and system for activating double click applications with a single

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Michael W Van Flandern