Patents Examined by Robert D Bourque
  • Patent number: 6279014
    Abstract: A document organizing system extracts annotations made to a document along with the context surrounding each annotation and organizes the annotations based upon the annotation attributes and/or context. The annotations are created by grouping marks based upon their proximity in time and space. The document is segmented to determine a minimum context associated with each annotation. A list of the annotations sorted by the attributes are then displayed to the user. The context provided by the invention for each annotation allows the user to fully understand the annotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William Noah Schilit, Morgan N. Price, Gene Golovchinsky, Lynn D. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6182092
    Abstract: A converter converts between structured language elements and objects embeddable in the native format of a document editor. A data structure representing the embeddable object is created without instantiating an instance of the object and includes the associated structured language element. Subsequently, the structured language element is used to instantiate an object and set its properties. Any portion of the structured language element not recognized during the conversion process is retained by the embeddable object. If conversion back to a structured language element is subsequently required, the conversion process is facilitated by the presence of the original structured language element within the embeddable object as well as the retained portion of the structured language element not recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James Lee Francis, Frank Mantek, Andrew Layman, Robert A. Little, Darren Alexander Apfel
  • Patent number: 6178433
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for managing Internet presentation materials in a single file format for ease of administration while presenting to an Internet requestor only those portions of the file requested, for maximum performance. Also disclosed is a system and method for presenting Internet materials using borderless presentation areas, where the background specification is decoupled from the presentation area specification. The invention also relates to a system and method for using a dynamic web page builder to generate and manage multiple instances of information to be simultaneously displayed in multiple presentation areas, in which one of the presentation areas contains table of contents information listing various selectable web pages stored in a single file. The table of contents information is continuously displayed on-screen when any of the items listed in the table of contents is selected for ease of navigation through a web site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Evan Nakamura, Stewart Eugene Tate
  • Patent number: 6169997
    Abstract: Currently, a web site stores Internet data indicating file access status for the files that have been accessed in response to requests from web browsers. Unfortunately, the Internet data are kept as a set of separate and non-correlated data records that are chronologically arranged according to the times at which the requests have been received and processed. Consequently, the Internet data are not arranged meaningful to management and business operation. The present invention correlates web page files (HTML, SHTML, DHTML, or CGI files) with subject areas (such as sports, news, entertainment, restaurant, shopping, computing, business, health, family, travel and weather). In this way, the Internet data are presented in a format meaningful to management and business operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Karen A. Papierniak, James E. Thaisz, Luo-Jen Chiang, Paresh B. Shah
  • Patent number: 6144375
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for interactively viewing a real-world environment. The viewer includes a user interface having a first window for displaying a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional model of the real world environment. The viewer further includes a plurality of other viewing areas for displaying and querying for views of the real-world environment. The viewer includes a content-based event timeline that graphically depicts multi-media events satisfying user queries. Several methods can be used to select an event for display. For example, the user can select an event by selecting the event representation from the timeline. Alternatively, the user can select an event by querying the system for selected objects, viewing angles, input devices, etc. The viewer synchronizes and links together all of the multi-media data types associated with a selected event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Praja Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh C. Jain, Terry Randolph Hicks, Asquith A. Bailey, Ryan B. McKinley, Don Yamato Kuramura, Arun L. Katkere
  • Patent number: 6144974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repositioning a content object on a page in response to a request to change the page framework associated with the page, the method including receiving a user request to change the page framework. The current page framework information associated with the page is retrieved including a description for each framework member in the current page framework. Alignment data for the content object is derived by determining if any edge of the content object aligns with a framework member. Thereafter, the page layout is redefined according to the user request. Finally, the content object is repositioned on the redefined page based on the alignment data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard A. Gartland
  • Patent number: 6134568
    Abstract: A system which enables a user to preview a document by providing a user interface and inputting, via the user interface, information specifying an arrangement of components to create the document, the components including at least two of: a printed page, a tab page, a blank page, a front cover, a back cover, and a binding. Digital images of at least some of the components specified by the input information are obtained and an image of the document is generated by combining the digital images of at least some of the components in a manner so as to simulate an appearance of the document were the document to be physically assembled according to the input information. The image of the document is then caused to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Kinko's Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Tonkin
  • Patent number: 6128632
    Abstract: Improved techniques for formatting annotated text are disclosed. Among other things, the techniques can be implemented to avoid overlapping of rubi characters to improve readability of text documents that use rubi annotation characters. One technique provides for tracking base text when an overall length of spaced apart rubi characters is greater that the overall length of the underlying selected base text. Another technique allows rubi characters to be tracked out when the overall length of the underlying selected base text is greater than the overall length of suitably spaced apart rubi characters. Yet another technique allows a rubi character to overhang with respect to a right or left edge of the selected base text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel M. McCully
  • Patent number: 6125374
    Abstract: A method for applying graphics to packaging and/or labels using an interactive computer operated by a user. A database containing predesigned graphics is provided and stored. A drawing program is stored in the computer. The method includes a template selector which is user-operated to automatically select the predesigned graphics from the database. The selected predesigned graphics are launched into the drawing program and the drawing program is user-operated to manipulate the graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Gerstman + Meyers, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Terry, Richard B. Gerstman
  • Patent number: 6108676
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to simultaneously process documents of a plurality of document types by simple management and simple inputs by the user. A document process designating means 3 determines a target document type as a target to be processed and a process to be executed. A finite-state automaton constructing means 4a composes a finite-state automaton from a content model defining lower elements included in each document type inputted. A document type collation control means 4c inputs a set of finite-state automatons having elements included in both the target document type and a document type to be compared to a finite-state automaton collating means 4b. The finite-state automaton collating means 4b determines whether the two finite-state automatons have a predetermined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Nakatsuyama
  • Patent number: 6092081
    Abstract: A visual metaphor is provided on a computer and/or network environment for tagging documents with various types of (education) commentary to an author's (student's) work and indications of (educational) goals that have been or are to be achieved. One or more of the comments and goals are based on predetermined standards. The goals or comments are optionally weighted. Summaries of these goals can be generated to assist evaluators (teachers and administrators) in evaluating both the work of the authors (students) and the success of evaluator in managing (teaching) the authors (students).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sherman Robert Alpert, James William Cooper, Peter Gustav Fairweather, Richard Bruce Lam
  • Patent number: 6092089
    Abstract: A marking system is provided within the comment field of PostScript page files to identify document management data placed therein. A special processor is provided to recognize the signature of document management data so that page characteristic records can be created. The page characteristic records are stored in a database thereby enabling a management system based upon the page characteristic records. The marking system includes a prefix, for example, "%%" and a keyword, for example, "OutputTagElement:", followed by a "tag" which is a management data attribute. The tags are processed to fill data fields in the created page characteristic records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: L. Corning Lahey, Arthur R. Roberts, Robert W. Peverly, Mahesh Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 6085204
    Abstract: An electronic dictionary, in which a highlight style storage section in a ROM pre-stores display data of a variety of styles for the highlight display, such as a solid shade, an underline, and a frame all in red. When a user selects an item for highlight display through an input section, a central processing unit allocates a style that has been used least frequently to the selected item, and synthesizes display data associated with the allocated style. Subsequently, at least either the title or attribute information of the selected item (i.e., the resulting synthesized display data) is displayed on a liquid crystal display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Chijiwa, Toshio Isoe
  • Patent number: 6078934
    Abstract: A management system for enabling the creation and maintenance of a database wherein specially created document records, version records and page records are stored. Each page has a page record including the document name, the initial version number in which it is utilized, the last version number in which it is utilized and the date of submission. It also has a delete field to indicate its current status in the document and a field for the date of deletion. The records can include any other desired data upon which it may be desired to search the database and they can include data enabling assembly of the document with inserts, tabs, etc. when it is printed. The page records include a pointer to the location of a corresponding page file for print-on-demand and/or to a storage location for a plate for offset printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: L. Corning Lahey, Arthur R. Roberts, Robert W. Peverly, Mahesh Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 6065024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to embedded HTML documents and to a method and system for rendering such documents to a visual display unit. The Internet does not currently support embedded documents. The current manner of viewing a plurality of HTML documents is to include a URL within one documents which allows access to a second document. HTML does not provide for the nesting or embedding of HTML documents. Accordingly the present invention provides a system and method for realising embedded HTML documents. The present invention utilises a Java applet which can be launched by a Java enabled browser. The Java applet can parse and render HTML instructions contained within an HTML document to a reserved area of a visual display unit. The Java applet can also launch further applets and therefore allow further nesting or embedding of HTML documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David Seager Renshaw
  • Patent number: 6047296
    Abstract: A system and method for constructing documents has files containing data and instructions. The data forms logical streams for provision to output means. According to the method, a plurality of referents referring to logical streams of data are provided. A plurality of different referent scopes with which referents are associated and used and outside of which referents within a scope are inaccessible are also provided. Referents are then inserted into the logical stream of data and within a referent scope from the plurality of referent scopes. The logical streams of data referred to by referents within a referent scope are then resolved but resolving of a referent scope does not necessarily result in a resolved logical stream of data absent referents. Once the referent scopes are resolved, the resulting logical data stream is provided to the output device as a constructed document. A system having parts for performing the steps of the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Omnimark Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sam Wilmott, Norbert Winklareth, Eric Promislow, Habib Khalfallah, Roy Amodeo, Omar Essa, Klaus Harbo
  • Patent number: 6044382
    Abstract: A form driven operating system which permits dynamic reconfiguration of any host processor into a virtual machine which supports any of a number of operating system independent applications. A data transaction assembly server (TAS) downloads menus and forms which are unique to each application requiring data to be input for local or remote processing. The data transactions and forms are exchanged between the TAS, which functions as a form driven operating system of the host computer, and a remote processor in a real-time fashion so that virtually any operating system independent software application may be implemented in which a form driven operating system may be used to facilitate input, and in which the data input into the form may be processed locally or remotely, returned as a data stream, and displayed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Cyber Fone Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rocco L. Martino
  • Patent number: 6014681
    Abstract: Saving a document using a background save thread while editing continues in a foreground thread. When a save is initiated, control is transferred to the background save thread and a document descriptor is cloned. If a foreground event is detected, then control is returned to the foreground thread. If no foreground event has been detected, then the save continues in the background save thread. During the background save, the background save thread checks for a foreground event. If a foreground event is detected, then control is returned to the foreground thread. Once the foreground thread becomes idle, control is returned to the background save thread so that the save may continue. Control is transferred between the foreground thread and the background save thread until the background save is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark John Walker, Jay Boyer
  • Patent number: 6003046
    Abstract: A system for retrieving a selected page of a structured document and for automatically developing context information about the selected page. This context information may include a table of contents showing the location of the selected hypertext page in relationship to other hypertext pages. In one embodiment, this context information is inserted into the hypertext page. The so-modified hypertext page may then be transmitted to a remote location for display. Since the context information is automatically developed after retrieval, it need not be manually generated and maintained. For WWW applications, the hypertext page with the context information inserted remains in the HTML format viewable by standard browsers. A powerful and convenient system for browsing through structured documents is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jakob Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5999949
    Abstract: A system for compressing an ASCII or similarly encoded text file creates an alphabetically ordered main dictionary listing all unique words appearing in the text file. A text file "word" is defined as a sequence of characters ending with one or more "word terminators" such as spaces, commas, periods and carriage returns. The compression system also creates a common word dictionary referencing words most often encountered in the text file. The sequence of words forming the text file is represented by a word index, a list of one byte and two byte references to common and main dictionary words, respectively. The system compresses the main dictionary using three complementary techniques. First, leading characters of each dictionary word matching leading characters of a next preceding dictionary word are represented by data indicating the number of matching characters. Second, commonly encountered dictionary word suffixes are represented by data referencing entries of a small suffix dictionary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Gary E. Crandall