Patents by Inventor Kim A. Sheffield

Kim A. Sheffield 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: 5937415
    Abstract: A Client/Server Database System with improved methods for performing database queries, particularly DSS-type queries, is described. The system includes one or more Clients (e.g., Terminals or PCs) connected via a Network to a Server. In general operation, Clients store data in and retrieve data from one or more database tables resident on the Server by submitting SQL commands, some of which specify "queries"--criteria for selecting particular records of a table. The system implements a "Data Pipeline" feature for programming replication of data from one database to another in client applications. Specifically, a pipeline object and SQL SELECT statement are built using a Pipeline Painter. The Data Pipeline lets a user (developer) easily move data from a high-end database server (e.g., Sybase) to a local database (Watcom SQL), all without the user having to issue SQL commands. The pipeline object facilitates moving data from one database management system to another, or between databases of the same type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Sybase, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim A. Sheffield, Alan L. Preston
  • Patent number: 5832481
    Abstract: A program object providing an interface between a computer database manager and a client application program external to the interface object. The interface object includes associations between columns of the table and associated editing styles, a retrieve method, and an update method. Each editing style specifies a display format for data of the associated column. The column/style associations specify modifying methods for modifying data of respective columns of the table. The interface object is programmed to allow an applications programmer using the interface object to tailor the column/style associations to the database table without access to source code of the interface object. The retrieve method accepts an invocation message from the client program, and uses the column/style associations to issue commands to the database manager to retrieve data from the database into a buffer maintained by and within the interface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Powersoft Corporation
    Inventor: Kim A. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 5752018
    Abstract: A program object providing an interface between a computer database manager and a client application program external to the interface object. The interface object includes associations between columns of the table and associated editing styles, a retrieve method, and an update method. Each editing style specifies a display format for data of the associated column. The column/style associations specify modifying methods for modifying data of respective columns of the table. The interface object is programmed to allow an applications programmer using the interface object to tailor the column/style associations to the database table without access to source code of the interface object. The retrieve method accepts an invocation message from the client program, and uses the column/style associations to issue commands to the database manager to retrieve data from the database into a buffer maintained by and within the interface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Powersoft Corporation
    Inventor: Kim A. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 5566330
    Abstract: A program object providing an interface between a computer database manager and a client application program external to the interface object. The interface object includes associations between columns of the table and associated editing styles, a retrieve method, and an update method. Each editing style specifies a display format for data of the associated column. The column/style associations specify modifying methods for modifying data of respective columns of the table. The interface object is programmed to allow an applications programmer using the interface object to tailor the column/style associations to the database table without access to source code of the interface object. The retrieve method accepts an invocation message from the client program, and uses the column/style associations to issue commands to the database manager to retrieve data from the database into a buffer maintained by and within the interface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Powersoft Corporation
    Inventor: Kim A. Sheffield