Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Shawn Michael Brown

Robert Pengelly

Zeke Koch

John Yovin

Stephen James Cosman

Lee Dicks Clark

Colleen Elizabeth Hamilton

Ray Sun

Sogol Malekzadeh

Robert Paul St Pierre

Kevin A Chin

Robert McKee Howard

Chad M Whitney

Charles B Schweizer

Arturo Ortiz Asbun

Suhel Sheikh

Audrey Yung-Ch'In Sousa

Kabir Siddiqui

Bret P Anderson

Scott David Schenone

Felix G T I Andrew

Justin Michael Maguire

Felix Gti Andrew

Patrick Joseph Derks

Jidesh Veeramachaneni

Jason Michael Deakins

Justin Maguire

Sammy Chiu

James David Peter Drage

Darcie Alison Gurley

David J Groom

Harm Lambertus Lamberts

Max Michael Benat

A technique is described herein for managing the manner in which a computing device transitions from one user interface (UI) mode to another. The technique stores state information that describes prior states of UI features that have appeared in previous UI presentations, with respect to different UI modes. When transitioning from a first UI presentation (associated with a first UI mode) to a second UI presentation (associated with a second UI mode), the technique leverages the state information to restore one or more aspects of a prior-encountered state associated with the second UI mode.

Transitioning between interface modes based on stored state information

Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided that address issues related to data privacy by enabling users to elect various levels of data sharing. A user of a user device is enabled to indicate their comfort level with sharing, transmitting, or otherwise exposing individual activity records (data entities) with respect to various activity categories. The exposure of activity records may be controlled with respect to on-device and off-device components. Furthermore, privacy profiles may be automatically generated for the user, and the privacy profiles may be automatically activated in corresponding situations.

Privacy-based degradation of activity signals and automatic activation of privacy modes

Exemplary embodiments for performing server-assisted object recognition and tracking are disclosed herein. For example, in certain embodiments of the disclosed technology, one or more objects are efficiently recognized and tracked on a mobile device by using a remote server that can provide high capacity computing and storage resources. With the benefit of high-speed image processing on a remote server and high-bandwidth communication networks connecting the mobile device and the remote server, it is possible to identify an object and to track changes in the object's characteristics or location, so that a user experiences seamless, real-time tracking.

Server-assisted object recognition and tracking for mobile devices

Populating a contact entry with selected entity information based on an identifier associated with a call (e.g., a telephone call, VoIP call, text message, electronic mail message, or any other communication). As the call is detected, entity information for the identifier (e.g., a telephone number, VoIP address, MAC address, etc.) is generated. The entity information is filtered based on a category of the entity information, user preferences, location of a computing device (e.g., mobile telephone) of the user, or other filtering criteria. The filtered entity information is associated with the contact entry for the identifier, thereby enhancing the contact entry while reducing typing on the computing device. In some embodiments, additional information such as advertisements for a competitor of the entity are provided to the user.

Contact entry population from call entity information

Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.

Perspective correction using a reflection

Example apparatus and methods concern controlling a variable flash to improve image detection. One example apparatus includes a digital camera and a variable flash configured to be controllable to operate at different selected illumination levels. The apparatus may be configured to identify a current imaging condition associated with the digital camera and to then determine a lux setting for the variable flash as a function of the current imaging condition. The flash may then be controlled as a function of the lux setting for subsequent image acquisition. The acquisition, analysis, and flash control may be exercised until a desired illumination is achieved. In one embodiment, determining the current imaging condition may include analyzing a frame acquired from the digital camera for attributes including image brightness, and edge detectability. In one embodiment, input from a light sensor may also be considered.

Variable flash control for improved image detection

Transfer of media playback from a first device to a second device is based on a media entry point identifier. For example, a movie playing on a source device such as a movie theater screen may be quickly and easily transferred to a user's handheld device for playback on the handheld device or vice versa. Playback of the transferred media begins at or near a point within the transferred media at which the user requested media playback transfer. In one embodiment, media playback transfer relies on information captured from the source device, such as a video frame, a media progress bar, or a visual code. In another embodiment, the user device is associated with a user account that is different from the user account associated with the source device or the source device simply is not associated with a user account. In another embodiment, transfer of the media playback involves applying to the user device the settings of the source device.

Method for transferring media playback from a different device

Systems and methods for transferring data over a voice channel during a voice communication connection (e.g., a telephone call) using DTMF signals over a single voice communication channel. The arbitrary data can include contact information, graphics, photographs, streaming media, interactive game information, location information, cached web pages, audio clips, etc. Some or all of the standard DTMF signals can be uniquely mapped to groups of bits. For example, the standard DTMF signals for numbers '' through '' can be mapped to the corresponding three-bit binary representations of those numbers. The arbitrary data can be placed in a container with meta-data indicating the start and end of the data, the type of the data, the amount of data, error correction/detection information, etc. The receiver can prevent the DTMF signals from being converted to audio signals to spare any human listeners from hearing the DTMF signals.

Data transfer during a call without simultaneous data capabilities

Backlight support is provided for flat panel displays through use of phospho-luminescent materials. Photo-luminescent materials are integrated into a flat panel display such as an LCD display as a back panel substrate or by embedding in display pixels. When ambient light levels exceed a predetermined threshold the material is activated allowing a reduction in active backlight power. The active backlight may be provided by an electrically supported system such as an ELP, a light pipe, an LED, etc. By reducing the power of the active backlight in an analog manner or through decreasing the duty cycle, an overall power savings is accomplished for the display. By embedding different photo-luminescent materials that operate at different wavelengths, color display may be enhanced while reducing power consumption. Display properties, such as transparency, contrast, etc., may be adjusted to affect phospho-luminescent backlight support.

Photo-luminescent backlight support for power saving

A system that integrates navigational device (e.g., mouse) functionality into a cellular telephone or other handheld device (e.g., personal organizer, personal media player). A device can employ existing optics from an image capture device (e.g., camera) as the optics for the mouse. A mouse engine can receive an input from the optics and route the input via a Bluetooth&#x2122;, or other existing connection (e.g., wired or wireless) to transfer the mouse coordinates to a desktop. In another example, a device can employ a touch sensitive pad to supply motion input to a mouse engine. Further, a device (e.g., personal organizer, pocket personal computer) can utilize an existing touch screen as a touch sensitive input to a mouse engine. A laser pointer can be integrated into a device thereby enabling presenters to use the device to point to slides and other target visuals.

Integration of navigation device functionality into handheld devices

A system and method in a connectivity user interface of a mobile device that enables a user to inspect and select a connection from among available network connections and methods of connecting. If the user alternatively wants a connection to be automatically selected by the device, the connectivity user interface allows the user to verify the connection that will be made when required. An easily accessible connectivity dialog displays configured connections, and connection data. Before a connection is established, the connection data may describe a type of connection, such as the telephone number for a dial-up connection. After a connection is established, the connection data may describe the connection's status, such as the amount of time the connection has been in use. A link in the connectivity user interface enables the user to efficiently configure or reconfigure a connection.

Connectivity notification displaying path to connection

Described is a method and system for initiating configuration of a modem connected to a mobile device. The system and method provide a mechanism for guiding a user through the setup process in order to simplify the user's connectivity to a network using the modem. In one embodiment, the mechanism monitors for when a modem is connected to the mobile device. When a modem is connected for the first time, the mobile device launches a wizard utility that directs the user's configuration of the connected modem. The user is able to choose from performing an initial configuration of the modem, or migrating settings of a previously connected modem to establish the connected modem's settings. Thus, the user is guided through the configuration process, increasing the discoverability of the modem and simplifying its setup for the user.

Growing community of inventors

Redmond, WA, United States of America

Shawn Michael Brown