Patents by Inventor Uhl Albert
Uhl Albert 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: 11699031Abstract: Natural gestures for interacting with spreadsheet documents are provided. A user may interact with a spreadsheet document using a variety of touch-based gestures. Gestures applied to a spreadsheet document may be used for making structural and display changes to the document. For example, gestures may be used on the spreadsheet document for inserting new columns and rows; for revealing hidden columns and rows; for deleting columns and rows; for extending functionalities across columns and rows; for moving objects displayed in a spreadsheet document; and for navigating various parts of a spreadsheet document.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sam C. Radakovitz, John Campbell, Carlos Augusto Otero, Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert
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Publication number: 20210390252Abstract: Natural gestures for interacting with spreadsheet documents are provided. A user may interact with a spreadsheet document using a variety of touch-based gestures. Gestures applied to a spreadsheet document may be used for making structural and display changes to the document. For example, gestures may be used on the spreadsheet document for inserting new columns and rows; for revealing hidden columns and rows; for deleting columns and rows; for extending functionalities across columns and rows; for moving objects displayed in a spreadsheet document; and for navigating various parts of a spreadsheet document.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sam C. RADAKOVITZ, John CAMPBELL, Carlos Augusto OTERO, Allison Jane RUTHERFORD, Uhl ALBERT
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Patent number: 11157691Abstract: Natural gestures for interacting with spreadsheet documents are provided. A user may interact with a spreadsheet document using a variety of touch-based gestures. Gestures applied to a spreadsheet document may be used for making structural and display changes to the document. For example, gestures may be used on the spreadsheet document for inserting new columns and rows; for revealing hidden columns and rows; for deleting columns and rows; for extending functionalities across columns and rows; for moving objects displayed in a spreadsheet document; and for navigating various parts of a spreadsheet document.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sam C. Radakovitz, John Campbell, Carlos Augusto Otero, Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert
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Patent number: 11157688Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying one or more visual indicators to assist users in identifying cells of a spreadsheet that are affected by an operation. In embodiments disclosed herein, an application is configured to receive a request to perform an operation on at least one cell of the spreadsheet. The application then identifies cells of the spreadsheet that are affected by the operation. The application then displays a visual indicator to emphasize the affected cells. By providing a timely displayed visual indicator that brings attention to affected cells, the user is able to gain a better perspective of the extent of the operation and how the operation applies to the cells of the spreadsheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Allison Jane Rutherford, Marta Luis Burguete, Samuel Chow Radakovitz, Aaron Lamar Wilson, Uhl Albert
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Patent number: 10977436Abstract: A smart fill feature is provided, which may be utilized to provide suggestions to a user and to prepopulate fill results in a spreadsheet. Characteristics associated with a set of data may be recognized and used to help determine fill results Suggestions may be determined from internal and or/external data sources, and may use contextual information in a data set to determine what a user may be trying to accomplish. External data sources may include one or more Internet data sources or internal corporate databases, providing a large amount of data from which to search for potential fill results. A split column command may be used to split a column into two or more columns. Data may be split between columns or combined by various methods, which may include, by example, by direct manipulation via tokens, or via a slider UI.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Carlos Augusto Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert, Daniel Parish, Aaron Lamar Wilson, Steve Tullis
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Patent number: 10860790Abstract: Conversion of data ranges to table objects in an electronic spreadsheet document is provided. When an electronic spreadsheet document is being utilized, data ranges may be automatically converted to tables to allow the user to enjoy the full benefits of the table properties and functionalities. When a data range is automatically converted to a table object, a user will be given an opportunity to revert the table object back to the data range from which it was converted. Instead of automatic conversion, a suggestion may be provided to a user before a data range is converted to a table object. If the user accepts the suggestion, then the data range may be automatically converted to a table object.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert, John Campbell, Aaron Lamar Wilson
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Publication number: 20200285806Abstract: Natural gestures for interacting with spreadsheet documents are provided. A user may interact with a spreadsheet document using a variety of touch-based gestures. Gestures applied to a spreadsheet document may be used for making structural and display changes to the document. For example, gestures may be used on the spreadsheet document for inserting new columns and rows; for revealing hidden columns and rows; for deleting columns and rows; for extending functionalities across columns and rows; for moving objects displayed in a spreadsheet document; and for navigating various parts of a spreadsheet document.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sam C. RADAKOVITZ, John CAMPBELL, Carlos Augusto OTERO, Allison Jane RUTHERFORD, Uhl ALBERT
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Patent number: 10552532Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques and apparatuses to present a dynamic formula bar in a spreadsheet application. Some embodiments are particularly directed to presenting a dynamic formula bar in a spreadsheet application that may improve usability in particular with large display sizes and/or touchscreen interfaces. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a spreadsheet user interface (UI) component executing on the processor circuit to present a grid comprising cells arranged in rows and columns. The spreadsheet UI component may include a formula bar interface component operative to display a formula bar UI element adjacent to a first cell in response to receiving a control directive selecting the first cell. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Carlos A. Otero, John S. Campbell, Uhl Albert
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Publication number: 20190272314Abstract: Conversion of data ranges to table objects in an electronic spreadsheet document is provided. When an electronic spreadsheet document is being utilized, data ranges may be automatically converted to tables to allow the user to enjoy the full benefits of the table properties and functionalities. When a data range is automatically converted to a table object, a user will be given an opportunity to revert the table object back to the data range from which it was converted. Instead of automatic conversion, a suggestion may be provided to a user before a data range is converted to a table object. If the user accepts the suggestion, then the data range may be automatically converted to a table object.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert, John Campbell, Aaron Lamar Wilson
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Patent number: 10360297Abstract: Simplified data and/or syntax entry in electronic documents is provided. Custom user interface components and selectable controls may be provided that may float on a displayed document and allow for easier data or syntax input. Electronic inking gestures may be used for entry of data and/or programming syntax in an electronic scratch pad and/or directly on top of a displayed electronic document. Gestures (e.g., screen touches) may be used for selecting document components (e.g., spreadsheet ranges) followed by an interpretation by the associated application of the user's gestures. A variety of disambiguation displays, interactions and/or hints may be provided to help a user clarify ambiguous UI selections.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Carlos Augusto Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert, Pablo Rochat, Allison Jane Rutherford, Catherine Harley
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Patent number: 10325015Abstract: Conversion of data ranges to table objects in an electronic spreadsheet document is provided. When an electronic spreadsheet document is being utilized, data ranges may be automatically converted to tables to allow the user to enjoy the full benefits of the table properties and functionalities. When a data range is automatically converted to a table object, a user will be given an opportunity to revert the table object back to the data range from which it was converted. Instead of automatic conversion, a suggestion may be provided to a user before a data range is converted to a table object. If the user accepts the suggestion, then the data range may be automatically converted to a table object.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert, John Campbell, Aaron Lamar Wilson
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Patent number: 10229101Abstract: A smart fill feature is provided, which may be utilized to provide suggestions to a user and to prepopulate fill results in a spreadsheet. Characteristics associated with a set of data may be recognized and used to help determine fill results Suggestions may be determined from internal and or/external data sources, and may use contextual information in a data set to determine what a user may be trying to accomplish. External data sources may include one or more Internet data sources or internal corporate databases, providing a large amount of data from which to search for potential fill results. A split column command may be used to split a column into two or more columns. Data may be split between columns or combined by various methods, which may include, by example, by direct manipulation via tokens, or via a slider UI.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Carlos Augusto Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert, Daniel Parish, Aaron Lamar Wilson, Steve Tullis
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Publication number: 20190073349Abstract: A smart fill feature is provided, which may be utilized to provide suggestions to a user and to prepopulate fill results in a spreadsheet. Characteristics associated with a set of data may be recognized and used to help determine fill results Suggestions may be determined from internal and or/external data sources, and may use contextual information in a data set to determine what a user may be trying to accomplish. External data sources may include one or more Internet data sources or internal corporate databases, providing a large amount of data from which to search for potential fill results. A split column command may be used to split a column into two or more columns. Data may be split between columns or combined by various methods, which may include, by example, by direct manipulation via tokens, or via a slider UI.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Carlos Augusto Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert, Daniel Parish, Aaron Lamar Wilson, Steve Tullis
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Patent number: 10198420Abstract: A spreadsheet storytelling engine is provided. The spreadsheet storytelling engine may run in the context of a spreadsheet application on any device, service, or general endpoint capable of running the spreadsheet application. The spreadsheet storytelling engine allows for the authoring and telling of a story. The story is a collection of operations that guide the consumer through a spreadsheet. The story allows the spreadsheet to be used to convey visualizations, data, calculations, or other objects in a spreadsheet in a way that may be simple, pleasant to look at, and/or visually engaging to help a consumer understand the information and internalize it in a way that is actionable without requiring the real time availability of the spreadsheet author. The spreadsheet storytelling engine is useful for purposes including, but not limited to, making presentations, creating tutorials, validating data, explaining how a model works, and generating interactive business intelligence dashboards.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: John Campbell, Eric Patterson, Uhl Albert, Carlos Augusto Otero, Micah Myerscough
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Patent number: 10198423Abstract: A smart selection engine is provided. The smart selection engine may run in the context of a spreadsheet application on any device, service, or general endpoint capable of running the spreadsheet application. The smart selection engine reduces the cognitive load and complexity for performing spreadsheet operations by clearly presenting the user with easy to use and understand options that are big, simple, and lend themselves nicely to natural user interfaces, touch enabled devices, and devices with small displays as well as with graphical user interfaces, larger displays, and traditional input devices. By making contextually based suggestions, the smart selection engine reduces or eliminates the need for the user to be aware of the available operations or how to perform the operations. Further, the smart selection engine improves the consistency and efficiency of working with a spreadsheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technolgy Licensing, LLCInventors: Carlos Augusto Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert, Pablo Rochat
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Publication number: 20180365206Abstract: Conversion of data ranges to table objects in an electronic spreadsheet document is provided. When an electronic spreadsheet document is being utilized, data ranges may be automatically converted to tables to allow the user to enjoy the full benefits of the table properties and functionalities. When a data range is automatically converted to a table object, a user will be given an opportunity to revert the table object back to the data range from which it was converted. Instead of automatic conversion, a suggestion may be provided to a user before a data range is converted to a table object. If the user accepts the suggestion, then the data range may be automatically converted to a table object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert, John Campbell, Aaron Lamar Wilson
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Patent number: 10019432Abstract: Conversion of data ranges to table objects in an electronic spreadsheet document is provided. When an electronic spreadsheet document is being utilized, data ranges may be automatically converted to tables to allow the user to enjoy the full benefits of the table properties and functionalities. When a data range is automatically converted to a table object, a user will be given an opportunity to revert the table object back to the data range from which it was converted. Instead of automatic conversion, a suggestion may be provided to a user before a data range is converted to a table object. If the user accepts the suggestion, then the data range may be automatically converted to a table object.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Allison Jane Rutherford, Uhl Albert, John Campbell, Aaron Lamar Wilson
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Patent number: 10013413Abstract: A smart fill feature is provided, which may be utilized to provide suggestions to a user and to prepopulate fill results in a spreadsheet. Characteristics associated with a set of data may be recognized and used to help determine fill results Suggestions may be determined from internal and or/external data sources, and may use contextual information in a data set to determine what a user may be trying to accomplish. External data sources may include one or more Internet data sources or internal corporate databases, providing a large amount of data from which to search for potential fill results. A split column command may be used to split a column into two or more columns. Data may be split between columns or combined by various methods, which may include, by example, by direct manipulation via tokens, or via a slider UI.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Carlos Augusto Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert, Daniel Parish, Aaron Lamar Wilson, Steve Tullis
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Patent number: 9805016Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques and apparatuses to present a dynamic formula bar in a spreadsheet application. Some embodiments are particularly directed to presenting a dynamic formula bar in a spreadsheet application that may improve usability in particular with large display sizes and/or touchscreen interfaces. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a spreadsheet user interface (UI) component executing on the processor circuit to present a grid comprising cells arranged in rows and columns. The spreadsheet UI component may include a formula bar interface component operative to display a formula bar UI element adjacent to a first cell in response to receiving a control directive selecting the first cell. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Carlos Otero, John Campbell, Uhl Albert
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Publication number: 20170249295Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques and apparatuses to present a dynamic formula bar in a spreadsheet application. Some embodiments are particularly directed to presenting a dynamic formula bar in a spreadsheet application that may improve usability in particular with large display sizes and/or touchscreen interfaces. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a spreadsheet user interface (UI) component executing on the processor circuit to present a grid comprising cells arranged in rows and columns. The spreadsheet UI component may include a formula bar interface component operative to display a formula bar UI element adjacent to a first cell in response to receiving a control directive selecting the first cell. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: CARLOS A. OTERO, JOHN S. CAMPBELL, UHL ALBERT