Patents by Inventor Shane L. Groff

Shane L. Groff 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: 8135755
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Clinton D. Covington, Dan Hough, Kelly M. Krout, Shane L. Groff, Timothy E. Getsch
  • Patent number: 7716168
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Shane L. Groff, Theresa A. Naramore, Tiginesh M. Beyene, Clinton D. Covington
  • Patent number: 7610302
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vitore Selca, Christopher W. Bryant, Shane L. Groff, Theresa A. Naramore, Tiginesh M. Beyene, Clinton D. Covington
  • Patent number: 5787411
    Abstract: A method for selecting records from a displayed database table by generating an SQL SELECT command for filtering the displayed records in accordance with cell values highlighted by user input. A presently selected set of records from a desired table (generally referred to as a record set or record source) are displayed on the user's display screen. The user selects particular values in cells (an intersection of a row and a column of the displayed table) by highlighting the values using the pointer device or keyboard of the computer system. Methods of the present invention then generate an SQL select (filter) command to selectively retrieve those records from the displayed records which match the user's highlighted values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Shane L. Groff, Timothy P. McKee