Patents by Inventor Christopher W. Bryant
Christopher W. Bryant 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).
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Patent number: 8832645Abstract: A palette of representations that can be generated by an application for database, spreadsheet, word processing, and the like, is provided in response to a request for a new object within the application. If the application already has one or more objects open at the time of the request, the representations are also determined based on the context of the data such as from any currently open object(s). The new object is then generated based on the selected representation from the palette, the context of the data, and a structure of data consumed by the application. The layout parameters for the new object are automatically set based on the current context, the structure of the data, and the selected representation.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Zachary P. Woodall, Dan Hough, Kumar Srinivasamurthy, Nishant Kumar, Pavel R. Karimov, Stephen I. Lesser, Clinton Covington, Michael J. McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant
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Patent number: 8739038Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J. McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant, Andrew R. Miller, Robert E Coggins, Scott T. Gardner
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Patent number: 8689137Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls of a database application. When a task-based functionality tab is selected from the user interface, selectable functionality controls provided by the associated database application for performing aspects of a task related to the selected tab are presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above a workspace in which a user is entering or editing data. Upon selection of a different task-based functionality tab, the presentation of functionality controls associated with the first task is removed, and selectable functionality controls associated with the second selected task-based functionality tab are presented in the user interface. The selectable functionality controls presented in the user interface are grouped into logical groupings for more efficient utilization.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J. McCormack, Adam Russell Kenney, Christopher W. Bryant, Clinton Dee Covington, Richard L. Dickinson, Robert E. Coggins, Kelly Michael Krout, Vitore Selca, Zachary P. Woodall, Dan Jacob Hough
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Patent number: 8135755Abstract: A schema editor allows for definition, distribution, and use of schema templates. The schema editor allows schema to be edited and then saved in such a way that the saved file can be reimported into the schema editor.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Clinton D. Covington, Dan Hough, Kelly M. Krout, Shane L. Groff, Timothy E. Getsch
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Patent number: 7818672Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant, Andrew R. Miller, Robert E Coggins, Scott T. Gardner
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Publication number: 20100241672Abstract: A database application is provided which includes functionality for providing split views. The database application includes an object model having a number of objects, methods, and properties. The object model preferably includes a form object which includes a split view representation. A number of properties are associated with the split view which provides for the presentation of data to a user of the database application.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christopher W. Bryant, George R. Fordham, Marcus Markiewicz, Michael J. McCormack, Theresa Naramore
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Publication number: 20100229122Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J. McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant, Andrew R. Miller, Robert E. Coggins, Scott T. Gardner
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Patent number: 7774755Abstract: A palette of representations that can be generated by an application for database, spreadsheet, word processing, and the like, is provided in response to a request for a new object within the application. If the application already has one or more objects open at the time of the request, the representations are also determined based on the context of the data such as from any currently open object(s). The new object is then generated based on the selected representation from the palette, the context of the data, and a structure of data consumed by the application. The layout parameters for the new object are automatically set based on the current context, the structure of the data, and the selected representation.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Zachary P. Woodall, Dan Hough, Kumar Srinivasamurthy, Nishant Kumar, Pavel R. Karimov, Stephen I. Lesser, Clinton Covington, Michael J. McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant
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Patent number: 7747952Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant, Andrew R. Miller, Robert E Coggins, Scott T. Gardner
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Patent number: 7730067Abstract: Database interaction is facilitated by graphically presenting database objects in groups that are not necessarily dictated by object types of the database objects. In an example implementation, database navigation is facilitated by determining object dependency groups for a database in which each object dependency group corresponds to a database source object and includes at least those database objects that depend directly or indirectly from the corresponding database source object. When these data source object-based dependency groups are graphically displayed, selecting a database object thereof provides access thereto. In another example implementation, a user can designate an attribute associated with database objects by which the database objects are to be grouped. Thus, the database objects are grouped by various values that the user-designated associated attribute takes.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant, Robert E Coggins, Scott T. Gardner, Theresa A Naramore, Daniel Hough, Kelly M Krout, Clinton D Covington
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Patent number: 7720887Abstract: Database interaction is facilitated by graphically presenting database objects in groups that are not necessarily dictated by object types of the database objects. In an example implementation, database navigation is facilitated by determining object dependency groups for a database in which each object dependency group corresponds to a database source object and includes at least those database objects that depend directly or indirectly from the corresponding database source object. When these data source object-based dependency groups are graphically displayed, selecting a database object thereof provides access thereto. In another example implementation, a user can designate an attribute associated with database objects by which the database objects are to be grouped. Thus, the database objects are grouped by various values that the user-designated associated attribute takes.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J McCormack, Andrew R. Miller, Christopher W. Bryant, Jonathan M Sigler, Robert E Coggins, Scott T. Gardner, Theresa A Naramore, Daniel Hough, Kelly M Krout, Clinton D Covington
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Patent number: 7716168Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products modify a table definition of a database table within a database application. A method involves providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database table, receiving data that creates the new field while displaying the database table, and modifying schema of the database table to include the new field and the data. The method also involves interpreting a data type of the data as the data is received. A data type interpreted for a column in the database table that contains the new field is the data type of the data received in the new field. Still further, the method involves handling objects dependent on the database table in a manner unbeknownst to a user of the database table. Thus, the schema is modified while the objects dependent on the database table remain visible or open to the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Shane L. Groff, Theresa A. Naramore, Tiginesh M. Beyene, Clinton D. Covington
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Publication number: 20100094915Abstract: A palette of representations that can be generated by an application for database, spreadsheet, word processing, and the like, is provided in response to a request for a new object within the application. If the application already has one or more objects open at the time of the request, the representations are also determined based on the context of the data such as from any currently open object(s). The new object is then generated based on the selected representation from the palette, the context of the data, and a structure of data consumed by the application. The layout parameters for the new object are automatically set based on the current context, the structure of the data, and the selected representation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Zachary P. Woodall, Dan Hough, Kumar Srinivasamurthy, Nishant Kumar, Pavel R. Karimov, Stephen I. Lesser, Clinton Covington, Michael J. McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant
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Patent number: 7610302Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products modify a table definition of a database table within a database application. A method involves providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database table, receiving data that creates the new field while displaying the database table, and modifying schema of the database table to include the new field and the data. The method also involves interpreting a data type of the data as the data is received. A data type interpreted for a column in the database table that contains the new field is the data type of the data received in the new field. Still further, the method involves handling objects dependent on the database table in a manner unbeknownst to a user of the database table. Thus, the schema is modified while the objects dependent on the database table remain visible or open to the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Shane L. Groff, Theresa A. Naramore, Tiginesh M. Beyene, Clinton D. Covington
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Patent number: 7546291Abstract: A user interface is provided that allows users to create queries interactively. The user interface operates by creating a source query (or, for example, SQL commands) for the user while they select fields from a data source. This provides users with an alternative to using conventional designers, wizards, or other tools to manually generate a query.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Richard L. Dickinson, Richard Shawn McDowell, Zachary P. Woodall, Michael J. McCormack
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Patent number: 7484180Abstract: A one-screen entry point to a document management program (“program”) is provided to allow a user to browse templates associated with the program. The templates can be local templates and/or online templates provided by one or more Web services. The one-screen entry point allows a user to search, browse, or download online templates, and/or create documents using the templates. Each template is identified with a template category and displayed together with templates identified with the same template category. Local templates are presented along with online templates if the local templates and the online templates are identified with the same online template category. A user or an administrator of the program can create and/or customize local templates and local template categories. A blank template is provided so a user can create custom documents for the program.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael J. McCormack, Christopher W. Bryant, George Fordham, Jonathan A. McPherson, Scott T. Gardner, Clinton Dee Covington, Daniel Hough