Patents Examined by Sy D. Luu
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Patent number: 7712049Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for allowing the application of two properties or pieces of metadata to an object with a single user action. A two-dimensional radial menu (user interface) is provided. The radial menu is a generally pie-shaped user interface that is divided into two or more slices associated with two or more corresponding types of a first property that may be applied to a selected object. The menu is further divided to two or more circular sections so that each slice of the pie-shaped radial menu is further divided into two or more sections. Each circular section is associated with a type of a second property that may be applied to the object. By selection of a given section in a given slice of the radial menu, one type of the first property associated with the given slice and a one type of the second property associated with the given circular section of the slice are applied to the selected object with a single user action.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Cheryl L. Williams, Stephen D. Jensen, Robert F. Keohane, Richard H. Leukart
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Patent number: 7496854Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for providing for providing a function item, such as a key, button, icon, or menu, tied to a user operation in a computer, whereby a single click on the function item in a window or program on a computer screen, or one single selection in a menu in a program, initiates retrieval of name and addresses and/or other person or company related information, while the user works simultaneously in another program, e.g., a word processor. The click on the function item initiates a program connected to the button to search a database or file available on or through the computer, containing the person, company or address related data, in order to look up data corresponding to what the user types, or partly typed, e.g., name and/or address in the word processor, the correct data from the database, data related to the typed data, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Arendi Holding LimitedInventor: Atle Hedloy
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Patent number: 7487471Abstract: One implementation provides a method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to view proposed modifications to a knowledge entity. The method includes displaying to the user a first representation of a first proposed modification to the knowledge entity, and displaying to the user a second representation of a second proposed modification to the knowledge entity, wherein the second representation is positioned in relation to the first representation to indicate whether a conflict exists between the first and second proposed modifications to the knowledge entity. If there is a visual indication of the conflict, the method further includes displaying a modified representation of the knowledge entity by applying either the first or the second proposed modification according to a user-adjustable decision criterion.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: SAP AGInventor: Yuh-Cherng Wu
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Patent number: 7461351Abstract: An interactive formatting tool enables a user to analyze and modify the formatting properties that have been applied to a text string. A user can invoke the formatting tool by displaying an Interactive Formatting Pane and then selecting a text string for analysis. The Interactive Formatting Pane will display all formatting properties applied to the text selection, including font properties, paragraph properties, and section properties. The Interactive Formatting Pane may also display table format properties, frame format properties, cell format properties and bullets and numbering format properties, if applicable. The user may then select a formatting category (e.g., font size) from the Interactive Formatting Pane and a format modification dialog will be displayed. The format modification dialog enables the user to modify the formatting properties associated with the selected formatting category. The Interactive Formatting Pane also includes a compare selection checkbox.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric D. Bailey, Roberto C. Taboada
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Patent number: 7451407Abstract: A system, a method and computer-readable media for presenting groups of items to a user. Items are divided into groups, and a group header is associated with each group. The items and group headers are presented on a screen display, and the displayed content is subject to navigational requests from a user. When one of the group headers is located near an edge of the screen display, its position is fixed to prevent the header from being removed from the screen display.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Alexander Brodie, Benjamin Truelove, David Parlin, Jae Pum Park, Scott Dart
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Patent number: 7426697Abstract: A method for displaying a plurality of windows on a display screen is described. The method includes steps of associating a first window with at least one second window, the at least one second window being independent of and external to the first window, and combining the first window and the at least one second window into a common window on a display screen, the first window and the at least one second window being configured to share a common window frame. An indicator may appear on the display as a target region when a user desires to associate the first and the second windows. Subsequent operations performed on the common window are performed automatically on any underlying window. For example, when a user chooses to save the contents of the common window, the contents of all of the windows of the common window may be saved.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Ales Holecek, Charles W. Stabb, Hillel N. Cooperman, Jeffrey W. Pettiross, Mark R. Ligameri
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Patent number: 7412663Abstract: Aspects for changing a reflective highlight on a glass appearance window frame of an application window are described. An illustrative method includes steps of displaying a first reflective highlight on a glass appearance window frame of an application window, calculating a second reflective highlight in response to detection of an event, and changing the displayed first reflective highlight on the glass appearance window frame of the first application window to the second reflective highlight. The event may correspond to a command to move and/or resize the application window, determination of a time of day event, determination of a change in active/inactive status of the application window, or to a command to change a reflective highlight configuration. Reflective highlights may be changed automatically and/or in response to receipt of an input from a user to change one or more portions of a reflective highlight configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Donald J. Lindsay, Greg S. Melander, Tjeerd Hoek
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Patent number: 7401298Abstract: Displaying requested data from a database includes providing a display containing a scroll bar with a scroll tab therein, determining a total amount of the requested data, sizing the scroll tab in the scroll bar according to the total amount of the requested data and according to an amount of data displayable in the display, and fetching a predetermined amount of data from a first portion of the database. The predetermined amount may be independent of the size of the display. The predetermined amount may be less than the total amount of the requested data. Sizing the scroll tab may include choosing a size that indicates to a user that all of the requested data is being fetched from the database and/or may include choosing a size that is inversely proportional to the total amount of the request data in response to the total amount of the requested data being less than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: John Sexton, Cathal O'Donovan, David Barta, Michael P. Bushe
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Patent number: 7398469Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed herein can be used for testing an application's rendering of output to individual controls of a Graphical User Interface (GUI), displayed on a target device executing the application. A system according to the present invention includes a test tool running on a development computer that communicates with an agent executing on the target device. Testing is performed by using the test tool to execute test scripts, which cause test input to be injected via the agent into the application on the target device. The test tool can validate whether actual output on the target device matches expected output known to the test tool. The present invention includes a variety of key components, such as a flexible trap manager for handling unexpected screens that appear during an automated test, and a configuration manger for testing against multiple languages and platform configurations.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: United Parcel of America, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Kisamore, Donald L. Emmel
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Patent number: 7395515Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for manipulating screen objects utilizing multiband regions of influence. Positioning a reference point of an object within a particular band invokes a particular functionality or operation related to that band. In one embodiment, three types of functionality are provided. Moving a reference datum (for example, a line representing an edge or a user defined reference point) of an object A into a first band of an object B places object A under the influence of object B's gravity, causing object A to be pulled into precise alignment with object B. Moving the reference point of object A from the first band into a second band turns off object B's gravity, allowing object A to be freely moved to any arbitrary position near the object B. Moving the reference point of the object A to a position outside all bands causes object B's gravity function to be turned back on.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Adobe Systems IncorporatedInventors: Murat N. Konar, Josh Rosen
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Patent number: 7383511Abstract: In a small-scale medical facility, appropriate storage and management of medical images whose storage is mandatory for a predetermined period becomes easier. A storage terminal installed in a medical facility is connected to a mobile storage system, and image data stored in the storage terminal are transferred to the mobile storage system. The mobile storage system storing the image data is connected to an image data storage apparatus installed in an image storage center, and transmits the image data to the image data storage apparatus. The image data storage apparatus stores the image data and calculates the date of storage expiration of the image data. The image data storage apparatus stores the image data until the expiration date.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Kazuo Shimura, Takeshi Ohkubo
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Patent number: 7380214Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a graphical user interface is provided. The graphical user interface comprises a first window displaying a representation of a component available for use by a software application and a second window displaying information regarding an error related to the component if an error is experienced. The second window may comprise a first error window displaying identification of the error, a second error window displaying information regarding the nature of the error, and a third error window displaying information to assist a user in correcting the error. The error may be an error in locating the component, an error in loading a class file associated with the component, or an exception. When the error is an exception, the second window may further comprise a fourth error window displaying information regarding the exception.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: SAP AGInventor: Dimitar T. Giormov
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Patent number: 7363594Abstract: A workflow manager which executes software having one or more channels configured to communicate events-based messages between processes. Events are associated with transitions between states, which mark the progress of an order. An event remains in an associated channel for a period until is retrieved by a peripheral system or expired. When retrieved by a system, the event may trigger a task or process. The workflow manager further includes an event editor, coupled to the workflow manager and configured to retrieve a selected event for editing by a user. The event editor includes a graphical user interface allowing a user to define, monitor, or modify a workflow.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: John Wright, Tracy Packham
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Patent number: 7360159Abstract: A system for producing presentations of computer application programs that also allows the inclusion of advertising, or other information, into a presentation and which can be updated by a central ad server. When the presentation is viewed offline, default ads are kept in the presentation. Authoring software is used to create a sequence of screenshot images of an application program to be presented. Each screenshot is a slide in the presentation and is displayed for an interval of time during playback of the presentation. Text description in the form of “bubble text,” “memo text,” “questions,” etc. can be specified along with the position, size and other properties of the text. Characteristics such as cursor shape, speed of movement, starting and ending positions, alignment, etc. can be set, and a “click area” in association with a question, or prompt, to the viewer of the presentation can be specified.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Qarbon.com, Inc.Inventor: Alexandre Chailleux
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Patent number: 7353456Abstract: A prototype page for simulating navigation between objects in a computer program. A selection of a distribution of presentation areas is received. A placement of first and second icon symbols in at least one of the presentation areas is received. The first and second icon symbols represent first and second objects, respectively, of a computer program. A placement of a navigation symbol is received. The navigation symbol represents a navigation between the first and second objects. Markup language code is provided for a prototype page. The code includes location indicating code corresponding to the distribution of presentation areas. The code includes picture code for first and second pictures corresponding to the first and second icon symbols, respectively. The markup language code further includes interaction code corresponding to the navigation symbol. The prototype page is capable of simulating the navigation between the first and second objects in the computer program.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: SAP AGInventors: Udo Arend, Jens Baumgart, Bjoern Goerke
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Patent number: 7353465Abstract: A family management system provides a family manager with family-related and work-related information. This information may be provided to the family manager in the form of one or more screens depicting calendars, e-mail, and/or other tasks. In particular, family-related and work-related matters may be merged on a single screen so that the family manager can facilitate scheduling better between family-related and work-related matters.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jeri L. Callaway, Cynthia J. Purvis, Meera K. Manahan
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Patent number: 7350149Abstract: A backup reporting framework Graphical User Interface (GUI) comprises a combination of components that make it possible to display a Reporting GUI to the customer on the customer's desktop. The framework includes three main components, a server component, a wag-server middleware component, and a monitor server middleware component. The Server Component handles all the operations necessary to start the GUI or Command Line Interface (CLI) interaction with the Middleware Components. The WAG Server Middleware component provides a mechanism for the client application to interact with the server. The WAG Server component gives the client side applications access to data resident on the server and allow for command and control from the client side. The monitor server middleware component also provides a mechanism for the client application to interact with the server. It gives the client side application access to data resident on the server and allows for command and control from the client side.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Franceschelli, Jr., Jeffrey S. Phillips, Peter Bouchard, Serena Doyle
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Patent number: 7346853Abstract: Content is transferred from one computer resource to another computer resource by receiving a first insertion point or replacement area from a first user interface to a destination computer resource, receiving an enablement to perform automatic paste operation, switching to a user interface to a source computer resource, receiving a user selection of content from said source user interface, and automatically copying the selected content to a transfer buffer and to the designated insertion point(s) in the destination computer resource. Each time source content is selected, a number of source reference data items such as author, publication date, and source file name or network address are captured and stored. The stored source reference identifies may then be used to automatically generate a monitor report containing this information, which is then provided to an online learning administrator or instructor.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John W. Dunsmoir
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Patent number: 7340677Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting categorical programs. The method causes information of a plurality of programs fitting categories defined in a request to be retrieved from a database. The method then causes a first tabular layout to be generated. The first tabular layout comprises a first level of content details for each of the plurality of programs. The first tabular layout has a first total dimension. The method causes the first level of content details for a selected program to be adjusted to a second level of content details in response to an interaction by a user. The method then causes the spaces occupied by the plurality of programs to be resized according to the second level of content details. The method then causes a second tabular layout to be generated. The second tabular layout has a second dimension that is substantially the same as the first total dimension.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: David J. Cowperthwaite
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Patent number: 7340685Abstract: Content is transferred from one computer resource to another computer resource by receiving a first insertion point or replacement area from a first user interface to a destination computer resource, receiving an enablement to perform automatic paste operation, switching to a user interface to a source computer resource, receiving a user selection of content from said source user interface, and automatically copying the selected content to a transfer buffer and to the designated insertion point(s) in the destination computer resource. Each time source content is selected, a number of source reference data items such as author, publication date, and source file name or network address are captured and stored. The stored source reference identifies may then be used to automatically generate footnotes, end notes, and bibliographical entries.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John W. Dunsmoir