Patents by Inventor Alan Ramaley

Alan Ramaley 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: 7231426
    Abstract: An email client is configured to watch for attachment events and to automatically package a web page as a single-file attachment to an email note. When an attachment event is recognized by the email client, a determination is made as to whether the attached file is an HTML document. If the attached document is an HTML document, then a determination is made as to whether the HTML document has supporting resource files. If the HTML file has supporting resource files, then the registry is checked to see if the user has specified to include all supporting resource files with any HTML attachment. If not, then the user is prompted by a dialog box to select whether the supporting resource files should be attached. If the user expresses a desire to have the supporting resource files attached then the web page and all supporting resource files are packaged into a single file in Web Archive (e.g., MHTML) format. This single file is attached to the email note and transmitted with the email note to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel J. Hall, Alan Ramaley
  • Publication number: 20060271683
    Abstract: A system and method that integrates a plurality of media service systems offering different multimedia services such as media storage, syndication, delivery, and billing services. The system and method also provides automated file transcoding. In embodiment, a method of the present invention includes receiving a plurality of physical media files, organizing the plurality of physical media files so that different bit-rates and formats of a single source material are organized into a media database entity, receiving user specified delivery settings for the distribution of the physical media file, generating a release database entity storing the delivery settings of the physical media file, generating an address indicating the storage location of the release, and transmitting the address to a remote computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: thePlatform for Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Andrew Sodt, Rahul Sonnad, Ian Blaine, Andrew Olson
  • Patent number: 7107518
    Abstract: An automated review cycle automatically merges changes in a reviewed document into an original document and by provides reviewing tools on a context-sensitive basis. The automated review cycle can operate within the environments of a document management system, a link-based document collaboration system (e.g., common server), or an attachment-based collaboration system. By generating a review cycle identification number (RCID) and by maintaining other information about the review cycle in a configuration file, an original author and a reviewer of a document can be distinguished and can be provided the appropriate prompts and tools to facilitate the document review process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Valerie Serdy, Sean Erik McAteer, Suresh Tharamal, Thomas Olsen, Noah Edelstein
  • Patent number: 7100106
    Abstract: A system and method of mirroring operations performed on linked files and folders is disclosed. A file and a folder are stored on a computer-readable medium. The file contains at least one reference to at least one image, stylesheet or object stored in the folder. Whenever a file operation is performed on the file, a substantially similar folder operation is performed on the folder and on each image, stylesheet and object contained in the folder. Similarly, whenever a folder operation is performed on the folder and its contents, a substantially similar file operation is performed on the file. By mirroring operations performed on linked files and folders, the system and method of the present invention helps users to manage the linked files and folders as a single entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Sankar Ramasubramanian, Michael Schmidt, Piero Sierra
  • Patent number: 7089309
    Abstract: A system and method that integrates a plurality of media service systems offering different multimedia services such as media storage, syndication, delivery, and billing services. The system and method also provides automated file transcoding. In embodiment, a method of the present invention includes receiving a plurality of physical media files, organizing the plurality of physical media files so that different bit-rates and formats of a single source material are organized into a media database entity, receiving user specified delivery settings for the distribution of the physical media file, generating a release database entity storing the delivery settings of the physical media file, generating an address indicating the storage location of the release, and transmitting the address to a remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: thePlatform for Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Andrew Sodt, Rahul Sonnad, Ian Blaine, Andrew Olson
  • Patent number: 7003721
    Abstract: A computer-implemented process for replacing old files having old names on a permanent storage medium with new files in volatile memory. Some of these files may be opaque files, which are old files that have become new files without undergoing any changes, other than possibly name changes. The primary steps of this replacement can include first saving the non-opaque new files onto the permanent storage medium and assigning them temporary filenames. An opaque recovery file listing the old name and a temporary name for each opaque file is created. A primary recovery file listing the temporary name and a final name for each new file is created. After the names of the opaque files are changed to their temporary names, the names of the non-opaque old files are changed from their old names to backup names. Then, the names of the new files are changed from their temporary names to their final names. The recovery files and the old files can be deleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan A. Ramaley, Thomas W. Olsen, Darrell L. Aldrich, David M. Buchthal
  • Publication number: 20060031265
    Abstract: A computer-implemented process for replacing old files having old names on a permanent storage medium with new files in volatile memory. Some of these files may be opaque files, which are old files that have become new files without undergoing any changes, other than possibly name changes. The primary steps of this replacement can comprise first saving the non-opaque new files onto the permanent storage medium and assigning them temporary filenames. An opaque recovery file listing the old name and a temporary name for each opaque file is created. A primary recovery file listing the temporary name and a final name for each new file is created. After the names of the opaque files are changed to their temporary names, the names of the non-opaque old files are changed from their old names to backup names. Then, the names of the new files are changed from their temporary names to their final names. The recovery files and the old files can be deleted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Thomas Olson, Darrell Aldrich, David Buchthal
  • Patent number: 6931592
    Abstract: A system and method for reviewing an electronic document. A copy of an electronic document is sent to a reviewer, the copy of the electronic document having a first property identifying the location of the electronic document in the memory and indicating that review of the copy has been requested. The reviewer uses an application program to open the copy of the electronic document. The application program detects properties and in response to the first property, automatically displays a review toolbar. The edited electronic document is then sent back to the author having at least a first property. The application program executed by the author detects the properties and in response to the first property, retrieves the original electronic document from the memory and automatically prompts the author to merge the edited electronic document into the electronic document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Suresh Tharamal, Sean E. McAteer, Thomas W. Olsen, Valerie D. Serdy
  • Patent number: 6886132
    Abstract: A method for packing the multiple files and folders of an HTML Web page into a single MHTML file. The packing process begins by determining whether the user has write privileges to the current location. If not, the user is prompted to save the MHTML file in an alternate location (e.g., the desktop). If the user has write privileges to the current location, the process opens the main HTML Web page and searches for supporting resource files. In short, the supporting resource files are identified by searching for known, common resource file references in the main HTML source file. When the resource file references have been identified, the process packages the main HTML document and all of the supporting resource files into a single file in MHTML format. The unpacking process opens the MHTML file and identifies the main HTML document portion, as well as the portions of the MHTML file containing the supporting resource files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel J. Hall, Alan Ramaley
  • Publication number: 20050050461
    Abstract: A method for packing the multiple files and folders of an HTML Web page into a single MHTML file. The packing process begins by determining whether the user has write privileges to the current location. If not, the user is prompted to save the MHTML file in an alternate location (e.g., the desktop). If the user has write privileges to the current location, the process opens the main HTML Web page and searches for supporting resource files. In short, the supporting resource files are identified by searching for known, common resource file references in the main HTML source file. When the resource file references have been identified, the process packages the main HTML document and all of the supporting resource files into a single file in MHTML format. The unpacking process opens the MHTML file and identifies the main HTML document portion, as well as the portions of the MHTML file containing the supporting resource files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel Hall, Alan Ramaley
  • Publication number: 20050044492
    Abstract: A system and method for reviewing an electronic document. A copy of an electronic document is sent to a reviewer, the copy of the electronic document having a first property identifying the location of the electronic document in the memory and indicating that review of the copy has been requested. The reviewer uses an application program to open the copy of the electronic document. The application program detects properties and in response to the first property, automatically displays a review toolbar. The edited electronic document is then sent back to the author having at least a first property. The application program executed by the author detects the properties and in response to the first property, retrieves the original electronic document from the memory and automatically prompts the author to merge the edited electronic document into the electronic document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Suresh Tharamal, Sean McAteer, Thomas Olsen, Valerie Serdy
  • Patent number: 6687741
    Abstract: A desktop application program provides a single entry point for indicating that a file is to be sent to a recipient. In response to an indication that the file is to be sent, a determination is automatically made as to whether the file should be sent as a link, as an attachment, or as both a link and an attachment. If the file has not been saved to a disk location or if the file has not been saved to a shared disk location, the file is sent as an attachment to an e-mail note. If the file has been saved to a shared disk location, the file is sent to the recipient as a link in an e-mail note. In order to determine if the file saved to the shared disk location should also be sent as an attachment, a registry is checked for a send preference regarding shared files. If a send preference indicates that shared files are to be sent as attachments, the file is sent as both a link and an attachment. If a send preference indicates that shared files are not to be sent as attachment, the file is sent only as a link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Suresh Tharamal, Sean E. McAteer, Thomas W. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6626956
    Abstract: Redirecting an editing environment to open a primary file instead of an associated supporting file. Each supporting file can be provided with a marker identifying it as a supporting file and specifying the location of the primary file associated with that supporting file. This can be done in response to the initiation of a file save event for saving the supporting file. For opening a file in the editing environment, the file open process relies on the presence of a marker in the file to determine if the file is a supporting file. If so, the editing environment is redirected to open the primary file with which the supporting file is associated. For example, for an HTML document containing a primary file and a supporting file, the editing environment is directed to open the primary file rather than the supporting file to support the presentation of the entire content of the HTML document for editing by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan A. Ramaley, Thomas Olsen
  • Patent number: 6585777
    Abstract: A computer-implemented process for simulating, in an HTML-formatted primary file, certain user-expected characteristics of an electronic document containing an embedded file. In response to initiating a save operation for a primary file to be saved as an HTML document, a file embedded within the primary file is detected. In turn, a support file is created for storage, in a separate storage location and physically removed from the primary file, to logically represent the embedded file. In addition, a current file list, which is associated with the primary file, is created and saved to the storage mechanism, typically the hard disk drive for the computer. When the HTML-formatted primary file is opened in a work session, the editor can open a link to each support file identified by the file list. In response to conducting a save operation for a primary file, an inquiry can be conducted to determine if a prior file list is associated with the primary document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan A. Ramaley, Darrell L. Aldrich, David M. Buchthal, Thomas W. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20020143691
    Abstract: An automated review cycle automatically merges changes in a reviewed document into an original document and by provides reviewing tools on a context-sensitive basis. The automated review cycle can operate within the environments of a document management system, a link-based document collaboration system (e.g., common server), or an attachment-based collaboration system. By generating a review cycle identification number (RCID) and by maintaining other information about the review cycle in a configuration file, an original author and a reviewer of a document can be distinguished and can be provided the appropriate prompts and tools to facilitate the document review process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Valerie Serdy, Sean Erik McAteer, Suresh Tharamal, Thomas Olsen, Noah Edelstein
  • Publication number: 20020138619
    Abstract: A system and method that integrates a plurality of media service systems offering different multimedia services such as media storage, syndication, delivery, and billing services. The system and method also provides automated file transcoding. In embodiment, a method of the present invention includes receiving a plurality of physical media files, organizing the plurality of physical media files so that different bit-rates and formats of a single source material are organized into a media database entity, receiving user specified delivery settings for the distribution of the physical media file, generating a release database entity storing the delivery settings of the physical media file, generating an address indicating the storage location of the release, and transmitting the address to a remote computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: thePlatform for Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ramaley, Andrew Sodt, Rahul Sonnad, Ian Blaine, Andrew Olson