Patents by Inventor William B. Kunz

William B. Kunz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8078953
    Abstract: Architecture for a word processing application that facilitates operating on mathematical symbols, expressions, and/or equations input to a word processing document, and returning results back to the document. User input to the document in the form of math symbols, expressions or equations is transformed into a format for processing by a math engine. The engine returns one or more operations to the user that can be performed on the input, including calculating mathematical solutions, graphing equations and viewing steps to solving math problems. A user interface allows the user choose from the possible operations and to interactively manipulate input and graphs in the word application. The results can be inserted directly into the document and also be graded automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William B Kunz, Xin Li, Luke Kelly, Jinsong Yu, Seth R Atkinson, Murray Sargent
  • Patent number: 7752148
    Abstract: A problem checker architecture that monitors user progress during a problem-solving process and assists the user through the process (e.g., when requested) using common human methods of solving the problem. Assistance can be in the form of detecting errors during the process, and providing context-sensitive help information when the user gets stuck or makes a mistake. The problem checker can walk the user through the process of solving a math problem one step at a time allowing the user to learn to solve math problems according to a number of different methods. Rather than simply calculating and displaying the answer, the problem checker allows the user to attempt to solve math problems, providing direction only when asked and correction only when required. The problem checker can recognize multiple solution methods for many common math problems and guide the user to the solution via any of the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jinsong Yu, Seth R. Atkinson, Luke Kelly, William B. Kunz, Larry J. Israel, Xin Li
  • Publication number: 20090018979
    Abstract: A problem checker architecture that monitors user progress during a problem-solving process and assists the user through the process (e.g., when requested) using common human methods of solving the problem. Assistance can be in the form of detecting errors during the process, and providing context-sensitive help information when the user gets stuck or makes a mistake. The problem checker can walk the user through the process of solving a math problem one step at a time allowing the user to learn to solve math problems according to a number of different methods. Rather than simply calculating and displaying the answer, the problem checker allows the user to attempt to solve math problems, providing direction only when asked and correction only when required. The problem checker can recognize multiple solution methods for many common math problems and guide the user to the solution via any of the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jinsong Yu, Seth R. Atkinson, Luke Kelly, William B. Kunz, Larry J. Israel, Xin Li
  • Publication number: 20090017427
    Abstract: A problem generator that takes an input as a math problem, analyzes the math problem, and intelligently spawns similar example problem types. The output is a set of math problems based on the conditions set during analysis and customization. For example, if the original problem deals with linear equations, this will be detected during analysis and used to spawn other linear equations as problems. Moreover, if the answer to the original problem is in integer format, so will the answers to the spawned problems. A customizable UI is designed to allow further customization of problem conditions to generate an accurate set of problems based on the initial input. Problem generator templates can be created, shared and modified for distribution and/or future use. Additionally, problem generation APIs can be extended for external code to automate and consume generated math problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William B. Kunz, Timothy J. Hoffman, Luke Kelly, Jinsong Yu, Larry J. Israel
  • Publication number: 20090019099
    Abstract: Architecture for a word processing application that facilitates operating on mathematical symbols, expressions, and/or equations input to a word processing document, and returning results back to the document. User input to the document in the form of math symbols, expressions or equations is transformed into a format for processing by a math engine. The engine returns one or more operations to the user that can be performed on the input, including calculating mathematical solutions, graphing equations and viewing steps to solving math problems. A user interface allows the user choose from the possible operations and to interactively manipulate input and graphs in the word application. The results can be inserted directly into the document and also be graded automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William B. Kunz, Xin Li, Luke Kelly, Jinsong Yu, Seth R. Atkinson, Murray Sargent
  • Publication number: 20070298389
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating and displaying intermediate steps in an educational computer algebra system. The system combines templates with an algorithm to generate intermediate steps and explanatory text which may be displayed to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jinsong Yu, Luke G. Kelly, Seth R. Atkinson, William B. Kunz