Patents Assigned to salesforce.com, inc.
  • Publication number: 20100205595
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for allowing access to developed applications via a multi-tenant on-demand database service, in a controlled environment. These mechanisms and methods for providing such access can enable embodiments to provide additional control over the development process as well as the access of such developed applications. The ability of embodiments to provide such additional control may lead to an improved application development framework, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventor: Craig Weissman
  • Publication number: 20100205165
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for querying data relationships over a network. These mechanisms and methods for querying data relationships over a network can enable embodiments to provide the capability to query for more than a single entity at a time. The ability of embodiments to query for more than a single entity at a time can enable improved network throughput, faster response time and more efficient utilization of resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Simon Z. Fell, Benji H. Jasik, Sven E. Mawson, Craig Weissman
  • Publication number: 20100205216
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided techniques for providing perceivable stimuli in an interface of a multi-tenant on-demand database system. These techniques for providing perceivable stimuli facilitate collaborative efforts of groups of users of a multi-tenant on-demand database system while maintaining access constraints amongst users associated with a common tenant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Paul Durdik, Daryl Josephson
  • Publication number: 20100205227
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hosting variable schema data such as dynamic tables and columns in a fixed physical database schema. Standard objects, such as tables are provided for use by multiple tenants or organizations in a multi-tenant database system. Each organization may add or define custom fields for inclusion in a standard object. Custom fields for multiple tenants are stored in a single field within the object data structure, and this single field may contain different data types for each tenant. Indexing columns are also provided, wherein a tenant may designate a field for indexing. Data values for designated fields are copied to an index column, and each index column may include multiple data types. Each organization may also define custom objects including custom fields and indexing columns. Custom objects for multiple tenants are stored in a single custom object data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Weissman, Simon Wong
  • Publication number: 20100205243
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically polling for data changes in an on-demand database service environment. A polling server communicates with application servers and client systems. Application servers send update messages to the polling server identifying which database objects have been updated, and client systems communicate with the polling server on a regular basis, rather than with the application server, to determine whether updates to a data object may have been made. When it has been determined that an update may have been made, the client system then sends a refresh request to the application server to request an update to the data object, thereby controlling (e.g., reducing) the number of refresh requests sent to the application server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com,inc.
    Inventor: David Brady
  • Patent number: 7774366
    Abstract: A sharing model enables users to easily and conveniently create and share standard and custom database objects, and applications, among users or groups of users. The sharing model includes systems and methods that allow users to conveniently create and customize tabs and tab sets that define relationships between custom objects and fields, standard objects and fields, and applications. A tab visually represents a user interface into an element of an application or into a database object. Selection of a tab provides a user access to the object or element of the application represented by the tab. A tab set is a group of related tabs that work as a unit to provide application functionality. New tabs and tab sets may be defined and tab set views may be customized so that an end user can easily and conveniently switch between the various objects and application elements represented by the displayed tabs and tab set views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Fisher, Eric David Bezar, Adam Gross, Ian Swinson, George Hu, Yoshiyuki Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20100191719
    Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for managing a multi-tenant database system. In one embodiment the method includes providing access to data stored in a multi-tenant data structure that is implemented by storing data for multiple tenants on a pool of computer servers defining the multi-tenant data structure that having a plurality of data columns and one or more index columns. The one or more index columns define a first data field for a first tenant of the multi-tenant data structure and a second data field for a second tenant of the multi-tenant data structure. The first field indicates a first data type and the second field indicates a second data type, wherein the second data type is different than the first data type. Once created, records having data values in the first and second fields are stored to a single column in the data structure. The single column includes data values having different data types for different tenants in the multi-tenant data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Weissman, Dave Moellenhoff, Simon Wong, Paul Nakada
  • Publication number: 20100192067
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to sharing and accessing data, and more particularly to sharing and accessing data via an on-demand database and/or application service. In various embodiments, methods for practicing techniques of the present invention, systems having elements or components configured to implement techniques of the present invention, devices, and computer-readable storage media storing executable code and/or instructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, Email To Case settings may be established. The settings may be used by an on demand database and/or application service to receive and processing incoming emails. In another embodiment, Portal Super User settings may be established. The settings may be used by an on demand database and/or application service for accessing data owned by a user and owned by other users. In a further embodiment, Case Teams may be established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Marco Casalaina
  • Publication number: 20100192204
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing user credentials over a network to a remote computer application. User credentials for the remote computer application are stored in a central repository that is accessible through the network. A request is sent to a service to perform, on behalf of a user, a particular task involving the remote computer application. It is determined whether the service has been granted permission to act on behalf of the user with respect to the remote computer application. When the service has permission to act on behalf of the user, the service is used to retrieve the user's credentials for the remote computer application from the central repository and to supply the retrieved user credentials to the remote computer application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Nabiel Boulos, Prasanta Kumar Behera
  • Publication number: 20100185593
    Abstract: Methods and systems include embodiments that recursively save parent, grandparent, and other records in a database that depend from a record. User-provided code within a save event or trigger can thus call further save methods without corrupting the database. Junction objects, objects that reflect records with two or more parents, can also be recursively saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Y. Wong, Walter MacKlem, Lars Hofhansl, Varadarajan Rajaram, Eric Bezar
  • Patent number: 7739351
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for selectively accessing one or more web services from a client machine, the one or more web services and the client machine being accessible over a network. A request for information is received from a client machine with a conversion engine. The request is received over a synchronous interface. The request is processed in the conversion engine. The processed request is transmitted over an asynchronous interface from the conversion engine to at least one web service. Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for converting a web service description language file for a synchronous web service into a web service description language file for an asynchronous client machine are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Taras Shkvarchuk, Alexander Lerner, Thomas Nabiel Boulos
  • Patent number: 7734608
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for querying data relationships over a network. These mechanisms and methods for querying data relationships over a network can enable embodiments to provide the capability to query for more than a single entity at a time. The ability of embodiments to query for more than a single entity at a time can enable improved network throughput, faster response time and more efficient utilization of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Simon Z. Fell, Benji H. Jasik, Sven E. Mawson, Craig Weissman
  • Patent number: 7730478
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for allowing access to developed applications via a multi-tenant on-demand database service, in a controlled environment. These mechanisms and methods for providing such access can enable embodiments to provide additional control over the development process as well as the access of such developed applications. The ability of embodiments to provide such additional control may lead to an improved application development framework, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventor: Craig Weissman
  • Patent number: 7725605
    Abstract: An integration services network is described which is operable to facilitate access to a composite service by a plurality of users having associated client machines. Each of the users is associated with one of a plurality of independent enterprises. At least one data store has a directory stored therein which maps an identity for each of the users to a policy framework which defines access information relating to a plurality of services. At least one computing device is operable to set up the composite service by integrating operation of the plurality of services. The plurality of services are associated with and controlled by a plurality of independent service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Palmeri, Stephen Reade
  • Patent number: 7721328
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing user credentials over a network to a remote computer application. User credentials for the remote computer application are stored in a central repository that is accessible through the network. A request is sent to a service to perform, on behalf of a user, a particular task involving the remote computer application. It is determined whether the service has been granted permission to act on behalf of the user with respect to the remote computer application. When the service has permission to act on behalf of the user, the service is used to retrieve the user's credentials for the remote computer application from the central repository and to supply the retrieved user credentials to the remote computer application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Salesforce.com Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Nabiel Boulos, Prasanta Kumar Behera
  • Publication number: 20100114912
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for preventing misuse of searches of a database system are provided. This prevention of misuse of database searches can enable reliable operation of the database system, as an improper query using a regular expression will not shut down or severely affect an application process that provides access to the database system. A thread of the application process determines whether an input character characters string matches the regular expression. To prevent misuse, a computational effort of the search is tracked, and compared to a threshold value. When the threshold is exceeded, an operation of the thread is exited or stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Hofhansl, Steven Tamm
  • Publication number: 20100100367
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting an offline session simulating an online session between a client and server in a network environment. The client imports data and functional logic from the server prior to going offline. The imported functional logic is embedded into a format or document that is capable of being interpreted and performed by the local interface at the client that is used to interact with server during an online session. Whether offline or online, the user utilizes the same local interface at the client to transmit instructions to the functional logic in order to manipulate the data. In an offline session, such instructions cause the imported and embedded functional logic to execute, thereby manipulating the data that is imported at the client. Known synchronization methods may also be used in order to maintain consistency and coherency between the imported data at the client and the database at the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: salesforce.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20100088316
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing recent data items in a database. A method typically includes determining whether a data object managed by an on demand service is designated as able to be accessed by a user at a mobile device and storing locally at a mobile device a plurality of most recently used items viewed for a data object designated as able to be accessed by a user at a mobile device. The method also typically includes determining a single most recently used set from among the stored plurality of most recently used items viewed for at least one data object designated as able to be accessed by a user at a mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Larry Robinson, Erik Forsberg
  • Publication number: 20100088636
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for providing in-line scheduling in an on-demand service in a database system. These mechanisms and methods for providing in-line scheduling can enable embodiments to provide a multi-tenant database that stores client scheduling information, client customer contact information, and enables drag and drop event scheduling. In a multi-tenant database, a system for managing client customer contact information and event scheduling is established, which may be useful for a tenant that is a salesperson or that employs salespersons. The multi-tenant database may include a combined view application that provides for the simultaneous display of a calendar view and list view of contact information. The multi-tenant database may further include drag and drop functionality, allowing list view information to be dragged and dropped onto the calendar view for event scheduling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Salesforce.com Inc.
    Inventors: Rowland W. Yerkes, Ian P. Swinson
  • Patent number: 7689711
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling the interchange of enterprise data through an open platform is disclosed. This open platform can be based on a standardized interface that enables parties to easily connect to and use the network. Services operating as senders, recipients, and in-transit parties can therefore leverage a framework that overlays a public network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Lev Brouk, Kenneth Norton, Jason Douglas, Peter Panec