|Numéro de publication||US7440556 B2|
|Type de publication||Octroi|
|Numéro de demande||US 10/677,084|
|Date de publication||21 oct. 2008|
|Date de dépôt||30 sept. 2003|
|Date de priorité||30 sept. 2003|
|État de paiement des frais||Payé|
|Autre référence de publication||US20050069101|
|Numéro de publication||10677084, 677084, US 7440556 B2, US 7440556B2, US-B2-7440556, US7440556 B2, US7440556B2|
|Inventeurs||Eric Gould BEAR, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko, Dale C. Crosier, Robert S. Plank|
|Cessionnaire d'origine||Microsoft Corporation|
|Exporter la citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Citations de brevets (112), Citations hors brevets (22), Référencé par (16), Classifications (17), Événements juridiques (4)|
|Liens externes: USPTO, Cession USPTO, Espacenet|
The present invention is related to the following copending U.S. patent applications filed May 5, 2003, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties:
“System and method for Auxiliary Display of Information for a Computing Device,” Ser. No. 10/429,932;
“Real-Time Communications Architecture and Methods for use with a Personal Computer System,” Ser. No. 10/429,905;
“Record Button on a Computer System,” Ser. No. 10/429,904;
“System and method for Auxiliary Processing Of Information for a Computing Device,” 10/429,930;
“System and Method for Activating a Computer System;” Ser. No. 10/430,369;
“Computer Camera System and Method for Reducing Parallax,” Ser. No. 10/429,943;
“Control and Communications Panel for a Computer System,” Ser. No. 10/429,933; and
“Notification Lights, Locations and Rules for a Computer System,” Ser. No. 10/429,931.
The invention relates generally to computer systems and communications, and more particularly to an improved system and method for using telephony controls on a personal computer system.
The role of contemporary computers continues to evolve as a tool used for communications and media applications. Personal computers offer many new and exciting media applications for personal entertainment such as live television, personal video recording, playing or recording digital music, displaying or creating digital photographs, and playing movies recorded on a DVD. With the introduction of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and other IP telephony applications, computers also may be used for handling phone calls and voice mail, in addition to handling media applications and customary communication applications such as email, instant messaging, fax communications, and so forth.
A personal computer with integrated telephony can enhance voice and video communication in ways that empower the user while increasing user productivity and enjoyment. For example, a personal computer may be designed that is capable of accepting incoming calls of various kinds such as analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), private branch exchange (PBX), cellular telephony, VoIP, and/or cellular telephony. Application programs may use VoIP telephony, instant messaging and videoconferencing by integrating the use of microphone, speakers and camera.
What is needed is a simplified system and method for a user to interact with these various communications and media applications, in a consistent way across these communication modalities. The system and method should operate in what is perceived to be an intelligent manner, and be fairly comprehensive in handling communications, as well as flexible and extensible to handle many user scenarios and usage patterns. At the same time, such a system and method should be straightforward for users to activate and also interact with in an intuitive way.
Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method including telephony controls for handling telephony applications on a personal computer with integrated telephony capabilities. Such a personal computer may be connected to telephone equipment for accepting incoming calls of various kinds such as analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), private branch exchange (PBX), cellular telephony or VoIP. To this end, the computer is generally arranged as a central communications point for multiple communications-related devices. Accordingly, the present invention provides an enhanced user interface with telephony controls for such a computer so that users may activate and interact with telecommunications applications such as handling phone calls and voice mail.
The telephony controls may include a hook switch, a talk button, a speakerphone button, a mute button, a flash button, a conference button, a microphone button, and a voice mail button. There may also be other telephony control buttons, such as an optional record button in close proximity to the telephony controls for use in responding to voice mail. Because the state of an individual telephony control button may not be readily apparent to a user, an indicator light such as an LED may be located adjacent to or integrated into each telecommunication control button as appropriate. Additionally, there may be a single hook indicator light alternatively used.
The hook switch operates in a number of ways, including using it to terminate a call, lifting it to make a receiver active and pick up waiting line, as a flash button to switch lines or terminate a call if no lines are waiting. The hook state may be toggled between “off hook” and “on hook” either by lifting the handset from the cradle with a mechanically integrated hook switch, by pressing the talk button, by pressing the speakerphone button, or in another way such as via graphical user interface.
The system and method allow a number of user interaction scenarios with respect to real-time communications, including handling an incoming telephone call and making a telephone call. To make a telephone call, the user lifts the handset or presses the talk button or presses the speakerphone button, and then dials a number. Alternatively, the user may select a contact using a graphical user interface or employ voice dialing. While on a call, a user may switch the active receiver to a speakerphone or other receiver such as a handset or headset. The user may decide to switch the system audio input device from the handset or headset to a computer microphone. A user may also perform tasks such as switching lines using the flash button to answer a waiting call or toggling a call hold state by actuating the hold button. The user can also perform other communications-related tasks, including conference calling and checking voice mail. Whenever a new voice mail message arrives, an indicator light may blink to notify the user, whereby the user can press the voice mail button to access voice mail.
In general, the system and method of the present invention is relatively comprehensive as well as flexible and extensible to handle virtually any telephony functionality, and additional telephony controls may be easily added as needed. The system and method may also be customizable to an extent. Other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Exemplary Operating Environment
The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to: personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, tablet devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so forth, which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in local and/or remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
With reference to
The computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by the computer 110. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,
The drives and their associated computer storage media, discussed above and illustrated in
The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in
The present invention is generally directed towards providing a user interface including telephony controls for a personal computer with integrated telephony capabilities. Such a personal computer may be connected to telephone equipment for accepting incoming calls of various kinds such as analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), private branch exchange (PBX), cellular telephony or VoIP. To this end, the computer is generally arranged as a central communications point for multiple communications-related devices, such as generally described in the related copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/429,905 entitled “Real-Time Communications Architecture and Methods for use with a Personal Computer System.” Accordingly, the present invention provides an enhanced user interface with telephony controls for such a computer so that users may activate and interact with telecommunications applications such as handling phone calls and voice mail. As will be understood, the various telecommunications interfaces, telephony controls, communication channels, devices and scenarios described herein are only examples, and there are many others to which the present invention will apply.
Also represented in
As generally represented in
To handle a user's various communications needs, the real-time communications controller 300 allows a user to connect to various communication channels (e.g., a telephone company switching network, a mobile phone network, the internet or an intranet, and virtually any other local area or wide area network over which communication is possible) using the various communications-related data input/output devices. In general, the user is able to input data via any input mechanism, e.g., any microphone on any device, via any text or pointing-based user data entry mechanism 302 such as the keyboard and/or mouse, and/or the camera 202, and have that data configured as appropriate (e.g., converted from speech to text) and sent to an appropriate (one or possibly more) of the available communication channels. Similarly, the real-time communications controller 300 is able to receive data and output appropriate data to the user on any one or more of the output mechanisms, such as the speaker of a speakerphone 304 when the user has selected that device, the handset telephone 204 when lifted, a headset 306 if activated, the mobile phone or similar computing device 308 if selected, a PBX phone 310 connected to a PBX mechanism 312 and/or a network card 314. When video, graphical and/or text information is available, data can also be displayed on the main display 191 (if active), and/or the auxiliary display 220. Note that some of the devices are represented in
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the real-time communications controller 300 controls various communication modes for the user, thereby removing much of the user's need to deal with device and connection considerations. As generally represented in
User actions can occur and be detected in any number of ways, including essentially any way of providing user action data or intended action data to a computer system. For example, such actions can include lifting or replacing the attached handset, which correspondingly actuates a hook switch 408 that is connected to the real-time communications controller 300, and thus can be detected as state data. Telephony controls 410, such as in the form of buttons on a device such as a talk button or buttons on the keyboard or monitor, (e.g., a speakerphone button, a flash button, and so on) can similarly provide user action information, as can a PBX telephone 310 or other computing device/telephone 308 (
Where appropriate, a graphical user interface component 440 shown as part of the mode control logic 400 (but possibly anywhere in the computer system, such as in another application program) may facilitate entry of the user action information. For example, the user may interact with one of the displays to select a displayed telephone number for connecting or reconnecting with a person or device at that number.
Similarly the system may output information to the user in any feasible manner, including via the user interface when appropriate. Essentially, anything capable of outputting something that can be sensed by a user can serve as an output mechanism, including the displays 191 and/or 220, lights and other indicators 224, the speaker 194 or other audio generating device such as a ringer on a cell phone, and other mechanisms such as one that provides tactile feedback (e.g., a vibrating cell phone). Thus, as used herein, the term “display” is only an example, and is not limited to visible information, but can include any sensed output. For example, a hook indicator in the form of an LED may be configured to flash red to indicate an incoming call, be lit green when off hook, blink amber when the call is on hold, and blink on-and-off when a call is muted. A tone and pattern can “display” the same information audibly.
Moreover, the present invention allows for various levels of computing skill. In general, the telephony controls 410 and the hook switch 408 that are provided allow the user to take advantage of much of the real-time communications controller's functionality without ever having to operate the graphical user interface software 440. However, to accomplish more sophisticated operations as desired, a user can also connect via the user interface 440, e.g., to automatically dial calls, answer via a mouse click, customize settings and preferences and so forth.
In general, the logic 400 receives user action data or remotely communicated data (such as an incoming call), and based on various real-time communications rules 402 and user configurable settings 404, responds in a proper manner. For example, as described below, for an incoming call, the mode control logic 400 will display the caller ID information on the auxiliary display 220, or possibly the main display 191 if so configured by the user, sound a ring or call waiting tone on the speaker 194, and wait for a user action. If the user presses a telephony control button such as a speakerphone button, the call will be connected to the appropriate device, e.g., routed to the speaker 194 and microphone 163. Any other audio, such as music that the user was listening to, may be automatically muted until the call is complete, e.g., until the user again presses the speakerphone button to disconnect.
The real-time communications controller 300 thus automatically and transparently responds in an appropriate manner to a user's needs. By way of example, consider the example above of a user who is working at the computer when a call comes in. Instead of figuring out what type of call it is, finding the device necessary to (possibly) answer it, and so on, the user merely glances at the auxiliary display, decides whether to take the call, and if so, selects any appropriate device to answer. Because the real-time communications controller 300 is the center of communication, a call to any of the user's landline telephone devices or any (smart) cellular telephone will relay the caller ID data to the real-time communications controller 300, which will display that caller ID data on the auxiliary display 220 as any other call. For the same reason, the user can answer any incoming call on the speakerphone 304, the handset 204, the headset 306, the cellular telephone or mobile computing device 308 and so on. The user need not even know whether a given call came in on a given communications channel, such as the cellular channel instead of a POTS channel or network channel, although for reasons such as cost of airtime, the user may want to know this information. Regardless of the device and the channel, the user is provided access to a universal address book, call log, and inbox.
Moreover, the real-time communications controller allows a user to transition between communication channels. Thus, for example, a user who receives a POTS telephone call can answer, talk for awhile, and switch that call over to a mobile phone to continue the conversation away from the computer system. Note that this is not conventional call forwarding set up in advance for switching at the central switching office or the like, but rather on-demand transitioning during a telephone call. For example, rules 402 can be set up to favor landline over cellular for local calls since there is no airtime charge, however cellular long distance may be favored over landline when there is no additional charge and the user is likely to have unused airtime before the next billing cycle. Voice over IP may be the most favored, but may not be available when the computer system is powered down.
One simple way to accomplish transitioning live connections is via a different telephone line relative to the source of the call. For example, if a user is leaving his or her office, the real-time communications controller 300 can transparently (or mostly transparently) establish a cellular connection to the user's mobile telephone device on that other line and connect the other caller to that mobile telephone device through the real-time communications controller 300. Voice over IP can similarly be used.
Three-way and conference calling capabilities can also be leveraged, e.g., a user can walk into his or her office while connected to another person via a cell phone, the real-time communications controller 400 can establish another call to the other party via a POTS, PBX or voice over IP call, and when connected, terminate the cellular phone call.
In addition to switching and transitioning among devices and channels, the real-time communications controller 300 can switch and/or transition among types of communication. For example, a user can respond to a telephone call with an instant message, either automatically or by typing/speech recognition, e.g., to notify the caller that the call was received but could not be answered at that moment. In the event that the real-time communications controller 300 has the caller ID and/or other information from that call, possibly including preset knowledge such as that the incoming telephone number belongs to a mobile device, the real-time communications controller 300 can adjust the instant message as appropriate, e.g., convert a text message to speech to leave a voice message when the call was known to be from a mobile phone that does not handle text, or when the user is known to be traveling. Note that the instant message does not have to be sent to the same device that called the user, e.g., a user can respond to a received phone call from a conventional telephone with an instant message to the caller's computer system. A simple database lookup or the like by the mode control logic can provide the recipient's address from the caller ID data so that the user does not even have to enter this information.
As another type change, when available, the present invention can start with an audio call and add video (one-way or two-way) and/or instant messaging as desired by the parties, or start with an instant message and add audio and/or video. For example, a user can press a camera button, or select video via a mouse click, to establish a video connection and start transmitting video. A video call can similarly be transitioned to a non-video (e.g., audio-only) call. In general, the present invention facilitates switching and/or transitioning between any modes of communication.
Turning to an explanation of the operation of the present invention with particular reference to the telephony controls 410,
The control handling program also controls any indicators 508 that are present as described above, via indicator display logic 504 to convey information to the user. For example, the control handling logic 502 and the indicator/display logic 504 communicate with the hardware interface 506 to receive input from the telephony controls 410 and send output to the indicators 508 for display. Note that the indicators need not be LEDs, but include any type of mechanism that outputs information that is capable of being sensed by a user, including visual, audible and tactile output. Each of the indicators may be related to one of the controls, and thus each indicator may be incorporated into or positioned proximate its corresponding control. Where the indicators are LEDs, colors and illumination patterns (frequencies, duty cycles, number of pulses, and so forth) may be varied to convey different information to users regarding each control.
Further, although an operating system 134 (or real-time communications controller 300 or some application program 135) is shown in
To handle the controls and communications in such a powered-down mode, the control handling logic may be loaded into executable non-volatile memory, operated with a secondary processor, and so forth, so that communication works as long as some power is available, even though the disk, main processor, main display, network card and/or other parts of the system are powered down.
Where there is an attached telephone or handset 204 as shown in
The telephony controls 410 shown in
The Speaker or Speakerphone button 604 is a special case of the Talk button 602, used where the incoming call is broadcast over a speaker and audio is collected via a far field microphone. In a cordless handset with speaker phone capabilities, it may be important to indicate to the user that the speakerphone is active to differentiate it from the handset talk switch. The Speakerphone button 604 similarly comprises a single-throw, momentary switch to toggle the hook state for a speakerphone. Its primary function is to initiate or answer a call, and then hang up when the conversation is finished.
If a virtual speakerphone is implemented using the microphone 163 and speakers 194 that are already part of the computer system, the Speakerphone button 604 may be located on the keyboard as shown in
Because the talk button or speakerphone button state may not be readily apparent to a user, a hook indicator light such as an LED may be used in conjunction with a Talk or Speakerphone button, and, for example, may be located adjacent or integrated into the Talk button or Speakerphone button. The Talk button 602 and the Speakerphone button 604 are each shown in
The Mute button 606, also known as a Call Mute button, allows the user to quickly mute the default system audio input device such as microphone 163 or the microphone in the handset 204 or headset 306. The Mute button 606 is operable as a momentary switch that toggles the mute state for a telephone receiver between mute and not-mute. The Mute button 606 can be a stand-alone button as illustrated in
The Hold button 608 places current call on hold and frees the receiver for performing other telephony operations such as making another call, or hanging up to pick up on another receiver, and so forth. The Hold button 608 is operable as a momentary switch that toggles the hold state for a telephone receiver between an on-hold state and a not-on-hold state. An indicator light may be located adjacent to the Hold button 608 or integrated into the control itself. Pressing the Hold button 608 places the current call into a call waiting state and sets the hold button indicator from unlit to amber. Pressing the Hold button 608 again moves the call from the call waiting state to the current call on the active receiver and resets the hold indicator as unlit.
The Flash button 610 is often used for alternate line selection and generates a momentary on hook condition to signal the application. If there is an incoming call, an indicator light for the Flash button may blink red to notify the user of a waiting call. When the user is notified of a call waiting, pressing the Flash button 610 will place the current call on hold and answer the incoming call. With calls on hold, pressing the Flash button 610 places the current call on hold and picks up the next call in the hold queue. When there are no incoming calls waiting, the Flash button indicator light is reset as unlit.
The Conference button 612 initiates a conference call. Pressing the Conference button 612 joins the current call with one or more calls waiting on hold. When the Conference button 612 is pressed, the indicator light associated with it is set to green. The indicator light is reset as unlit when the last caller or the receiver hangs ups.
The Microphone button 614 usually allows the user to switch the default system audio input device from the handset 204 or headset 306 to personal computer microphone 163. The Microphone button 614 may be operable as a momentary switch that toggles the microphone state for a telephone receiver between the default audio input device and a secondary audio input device. The indicator light should be located adjacent to the Microphone button 614 or integrated into the control itself. Pressing the Microphone button 614 activates audio input from the personal computer microphone 163 and sets the Microphone button indicator to green. Pressing it again restores the audio input to the default system audio input device and resets the Microphone button indicator as unlit.
The Voicemail button 616 is used to access received voicemail. Whenever a new voicemail is received, the indicator light is set to green to alert the user. Pressing the Voicemail button 616 launches the voicemail application and may begin playing recorded voicemail messages. Additionally, the voicemail application may present a list of voicemail messages onscreen and allow a user to access and respond to voicemail messages using transport controls such as play, previous, and next. Once playback has stopped, the Voicemail button indicator is reset as unlit and a user may respond by calling the sender using the telephony controls or by sending a recorded message via the voicemail application.
It will be appreciate by those skilled in the art that the telephony controls 410 illustrated in
Another alternative control panel 920 incorporating a few telephony controls 410 and including an auxiliary display 220 is shown in
To answer a phone call, the user lifts the handset, presses the Speakerphone button 604, or presses the Talk button 602. Before answering, the user has the ability to view caller ID, and possibly other pertinent contact information displayed with the notification message (on the main display or auxiliary display), allowing the user to pre-screen the call. Depending on preferences, the user can then choose to pick up the call or transfer it to voice mail, which may include transferring it to one of a plurality of custom or standard voice mail messages. While the caller is recording voice mail, the user can monitor the incoming recording and pick up the receiver, similar to a traditional answering machine.
The examples below provide additional interaction detail for common telephony functions, including an incoming call scenario, wherein the real-time communications controller sounds the ringer and blinks the Talk button indicator, while using caller ID information to display contact information. When the user presses the Talk button, a Microphone button, camera button, or picks up the handset, or presses the hook (talk) switch on the headset, the real-time communications controller 300 may light an indicator for the active receiver. The user receives the call, and can switch among devices, e.g., to switch to the speakerphone, the user presses the Speakerphone button 604; to switch to the handset, the user picks it up (activating the hook switch); or to switch to the headset, the user presses the hook (talk) switch on the headset. A cell phone or mobile computing device may be similarly used, even without actually switching the call to the cellular network (which may require some additional user action). When the user switches active receivers, the system disables the previous receiver to prevent feedback, and updates indicators to reflect the active receiver.
If the call supports video, the real-time communications controller blinks the camera indicator. If the user presses the blinking camera button, or automatic video is set by user preference to automatically stream video when video is available, the system opens the video monitor, lights the camera indicator, and starts streaming video.
To mute a component, the user can take an appropriate action. For example, to mute video and audio, the user presses the camera button, whereby the real-time communications controller blinks the audio and video indicators until the camera button is pressed again or the call is terminated. To mute video only, the user shuts the camera's privacy shutter, whereby the system un-lights the video indicators and closes the A/V monitor, but maintains the audio indicator. To mute speakerphone audio, the user may press the Speakerphone button 604. To hang up, the user presses the hook switch for the active receiver such as placing the handset 204 in the cradle if the handset is the active receiver or pressing the Speakerphone button 604 if the speakerphone is the active receiver.
To place a call, the user presses the Talk button 602, picks up the handset 204, presses the Speakerphone button 604, or presses the hook switch on headset. A dialog box is displayed for selecting the person to call. The system may also audibly ask through the active receiver, such as when voice dialing is enabled, as to who the user would like to call. The resulting input is used to select a contact from the dialog box, and the user can query to search and can re-query to refine the search, if necessary.
When the user makes a selection or acknowledges a match, contact information for the selected recipient is displayed with a status dialog box while the call is connecting. When connected, the user can switch devices as described above, and also switch modes, e.g., audio to video, and so forth, with the indicators operating in the above-described manner.
The user can also perform other communications-related tasks, including checking voice mail and call screening. For example, an indicator light may blink to indicate a voice mail, whereby the user can press the Voicemail button 616 to access voice mail. In one embodiment, this open the user's unified In Box. Call screening logic follows various rules, including showing caller ID information and contact summary data until, after a preset number of rings, the system stops the ringer and sends a voice mail message to an incoming caller. If the call screening option is enabled, the system echoes the incoming message to a system audio output device (usually the speaker). If the user presses the hook switch of any receiver, the system discards the message and switches to real-time voice, otherwise, when the user hangs up or after a certain time limit, the system stops blinking the Talk button indicator and files a voice message.
As can be seen from the foregoing detailed description, there is provided a system and method including an enhanced user interface with telephony controls for a personal computer with integrated telephony capabilities. These telephony controls allow users to intuitively activate and interact with telecommunications applications such as handling phone calls and voice mail. The system and method is fairly comprehensive in handling communications, as well as flexible and extensible to handle many user scenarios and usage patterns. Additional telephony controls may be easily added. The system and method thus provide significant advantages and benefits needed in contemporary computing and communications.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
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|Classification aux États-Unis||379/90.01, 379/93.07, 348/E07.079|
|Classification internationale||H04M1/57, H04N7/14, H04M1/247, H04M1/80, H04M1/05, H04M11/00|
|Classification coopérative||H04M2250/02, H04M1/57, H04M1/2473, H04N7/142, H04M1/05, H04M1/80|
|Classification européenne||H04N7/14A2, H04M1/247C|
|23 juin 2004||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, WASHINGTON
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BEAR, ERIC GOULD;MAGENDANZ, CHAD;ADAMS, ADITHA MAY;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:014771/0150;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040209 TO 20040623
|4 avr. 2012||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|9 déc. 2014||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC, WASHINGTON
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MICROSOFT CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:034541/0477
Effective date: 20141014
|6 avr. 2016||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8