Robert E Gruhl

US Patent:

7142225, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Jan 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/066167

Inventors:

Sabrina D. Boler - Seattle WA, US
Karen L. Baker - Redmond WA, US
Robert E. Gruhl - Seattle WA, US
Robert D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Thomas W. Getzinger - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00
G06F 7/00
G06K 9/36
G11B 27/00
G06K 9/32
G09G 5/36

US Classification:

345619, 345566, 382282, 382295, 707 1, 707104, 715723

Abstract:

An original media object, such as an image, is edited without loss of the data comprising the media object. Changes applied to the media object are defined by metadata associated with the media object. For example, metadata define the cropping of an original JPEG image without loss of the original image. The metadata from a previous editing session can be used to further revising a change to the media object. Preferably, the metadata are stored as a stream in a substorage of an object linking and embedding (OLE) file. For display purposes, and for ease of modification, an edited version of the media object is stored as another stream of data in the substorage of the OLE file. The edited version of the media object is preferably compressed and serves as an intermediate object for faster display during editing and as a surrogate if the original media object is unavailable.

US Patent:

7239328, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Apr 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/405380

Inventors:

Sabrina D. Boler - Seattle WA, US
Karen L. Baker - Redmond WA, US
Robert E. Gruhl - Seattle WA, US
Robert D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Thomas W. Getzinger - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00
G06F 7/00
G06K 9/36
G11B 27/00
G06K 9/32

US Classification:

345619, 345566, 382282, 382295, 707 1, 707104, 715723

Abstract:

An original media object, such as an image, is edited without loss of the data comprising the media object. Changes applied to the media object are defined by metadata associated with the media object. For example, metadata define the cropping of an original JPEG image without loss of the original image. The metadata from a previous editing session can be used to further revising a change to the media object. Preferably, the metadata are stored as a stream in a substorage of an object linking and embedding (OLE) file. For display purposes, and for ease of modification, an edited version of the media object is stored as another stream of data in the substorage of the OLE file. The edited version of the media object is preferably compressed and serves as an intermediate object for faster display during editing and as a surrogate if the original media object is unavailable.

US Patent:

20090209337, Aug 20, 2009

Filed:

Feb 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/032042

Inventors:

Andre Vrignaud - Seattle WA, US
Robert E. Gruhl - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 31

Abstract:

A player encounters a challenge present in a video game without succeeding thereat and requests contextual help from a service by way of a guide. The guide gathers a current context of the game including the encountered challenge and calls to the service with the gathered current context for such contextual help. The service compiles a list of entries based on the gathered current context and returns the compiled list of entries to the guide. Each entry in the list has been authored by a player of the game and includes information purportedly relevant to succeeding at the encountered challenge as represented by the current context. The player receives the compiled list of entries from the service by way of the guide, reviews same, and resumes playing the game and in doing so employs the gathered information in an effort to succeed at the challenge.

US Patent:

6717569, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/515370

Inventors:

Robert E. Gruhl - Seattle WA
Thomas W. Brooks - Seattle WA
Melissa S. Jacobson - Seattle WA
Allen M. Han - Kirkland WA
Drew C. Bamford - Seattle WA
Damon V. Danieli - Clyde Hill WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345157, 345172, 463 37

Abstract:

A control device that combines a movable pod, that is sized to comfortably support a users hand, with control buttons that are easily commanded by the users fingers and thumb without interfering with pod movement, thereby allowing the user to quickly, simultaneously, and intuitively, command multiple aspects of a user application software, such as a game. Preferably, the pod is movable simultaneously in three different directions: forward-and-backward, side-to-side; and axially about an axis. The device also uses the distance the pod is displaced from a neutral position as an additional control parameter for commanding the application software. In addition, control commands associated with the control buttons and movement of the pod may be programmed by the user either âon the flyâ or by using a graphical user interface. Also, the device provides feedback to the user regarding the programmed status of each button and available pod movement.