Patents by Inventor William Manis

William Manis 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: 8626715
    Abstract: Facilitating generic database editing to allow for data to be received from a user for entry into a database without requiring the data to conform to schema constraints for the database. A method includes examining a first schema for a first database. The first schema including a first set of constraints specified in the first schema on data to be entered into the first database. The method further includes, based on the examination, constructing a second database corresponding to the first database. The second database is associated with a second schema with a second set of constraints. The second set of constraints is a relaxed version of the first set of constraints specified in the first schema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Manis, Lonny Bastien, Antony Scott Williams, Anthony Christopher Bloesch, Gunter Leeb, Haroon Ahmed, Randy S. Kimmerly, Arye Gittelman, Donald F. Box
  • Patent number: 8612892
    Abstract: Performing incremental runtime composition. A method includes a computing system receiving a user input gesture modifying a diagram displayed on a diagram surface. The diagram includes a first element, a second element, and a plurality of elements connected to the second element laid out in a particular layout pattern with respect to the second element. The method further includes interpreting the user input gesture to be a gesture creating a graph by connecting the first element to the second element of the diagram. The method further includes performing an auto layout of the diagram by automatically, and without user intervention, repositioning the second element with respect to the first element but without substantially repositioning the plurality of elements with respect to the second element by moving the second element and the plurality of elements as an atomic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Danton, Yuri Rychikhin, Jordan C. Sehn, Scott M. Roberts, Florian Voss, Laurent Mollicone, William A. Manis
  • Patent number: 8484619
    Abstract: Debugging an executing process. A method includes accessing a unique key that is common to two or more different representations of a same function in the process. A runtime for the executing process is annotated with the unique key. The method further includes detecting that the function is executing. The unique key is used to provide an indication in one or more of the two or more different representations that the function is executing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kushal Shah, William A. Manis, Herry Sutanto, Matthew R. Winkler
  • Patent number: 8386429
    Abstract: Facilitating generic database editing to allow for data to be received from a user for entry into a database without requiring the data to conform to schema constraints for the database. A method includes examining a first schema for a first database. The first schema including a first set of constraints specified in the first schema on data to be entered into the first database. The method further includes, based on the examination, constructing a second database corresponding to the first database. The second database is associated with a second schema with a second set of constraints. The second set of constraints is a relaxed version of the first set of constraints specified in the first schema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Manis, Lonny Bastien, Antony Scott Williams, Anthony Christopher Bloesch, Gunter Leeb, Haroon Ahmed, Randy S. Kimmerly, Arye Gittelman, Donald F. Box
  • Patent number: 7949946
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for the facilitating the layout and composition of graphics. Embodiments of the present invention allow declarative input for creation and modification of layout compositions and also allows adjustments or modifications made to layout compositions. Layout compositions may be created, adjusted, and modified by input through a markup language or by user-commands and gestures. Relationships and associations among nodes and among line segments and connections between nodes which are embodied within a composition or created by an auto layout are preserved both during and after adjustments and modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Mollicone, Stephen M. Danton, Yuri Rychikhin, Jordan Sehn, Florian Voss, Kean E E Lim, William A. Manis
  • Publication number: 20110107306
    Abstract: Debugging an executing process. A method includes accessing a unique key that is common to two or more different representations of a same function in the process. A runtime for the executing process is annotated with the unique key. The method further includes detecting that the function is executing. The unique key is used to provide an indication in one or more of the two or more different representations that the function is executing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kushal Shah, William A. Manis, Herry Sutanto, Matthew R. Winkler
  • Patent number: 7899846
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to generating declarative model editors. A computer system receives a first user input indicating a selection of a native underlying schema that includes constraints that are to be followed by models based on the native schema. The computer system receives a second user input indicating a declarative entry that includes user-configurable model editor characteristics. The computer system automatically generates a declarative model editor based on the selected native schema and user-configurable model editor characteristics. Other embodiments are directed to editing models using declarative model editors. A computer system receives user input indicating a declarative entry to be applied to a model, generates a declarative model editor based on the declarative entry, receives a model that is editable by the generated declarative model editor, and edits user-configurable characteristics of the model. The model characteristics conform to the constraints in the native underlying schema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Flynn, Laurent Mollicone, William A. Manis, Charles J. Strempler, Kean E E Lim
  • Publication number: 20100325587
    Abstract: Performing incremental runtime composition. A method includes a computing system receiving a user input gesture modifying a diagram displayed on a diagram surface. The diagram includes a first element, a second element, and a plurality of elements connected to the second element laid out in a particular layout pattern with respect to the second element. The method further includes interpreting the user input gesture to be a gesture creating a graph by connecting the first element to the second element of the diagram. The method further includes performing an auto layout of the diagram by automatically, and without user intervention, repositioning the second element with respect to the first element but without substantially repositioning the plurality of elements with respect to the second element by moving the second element and the plurality of elements as an atomic unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen M. Danton, Yuri Rychikhin, Jordan C. Sehn, Scott M. Roberts, Florian Voss, Laurent Mollicone, William A. Manis
  • Publication number: 20100250623
    Abstract: Facilitating generic database editing to allow for data to be received from a user for entry into a database without requiring the data to conform to schema constraints for the database. A method includes examining a first schema for a first database. The first schema including a first set of constraints specified in the first schema on data to be entered into the first database. The method further includes, based on the examination, constructing a second database corresponding to the first database. The second database is associated with a second schema with a second set of constraints. The second set of constraints is a relaxed version of the first set of constraints specified in the first schema.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William A. Manis, Lonny Bastien, Antony Scott Williams, Anthony Christopher Bloesch, Gunter Leeb, Haroon Ahmed, Randy S. Kimmerly, Arye Gittelman, Donald F. Box
  • Patent number: 7761586
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for accessing and manipulating data in a data flow graph. A data flow graph includes one more transforms for transforming data from one or more data stores into different formats accessible to clients. Transforms can be configured to join and split data from the same or different data stores. A metadata tree logically represents the data flow graph including locations that provide output from transforms of the data flow graph. The locations can be referenced by clients to access transformed outputs. Clients can register dependencies on data at various locations and can request evaluation of the data in response to data changes at a corresponding data store. Clients can also request data changes be propagated back through the data flow graph to one or more data stores and implemented at the one or more data stores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brad M. Olenick, Clemens A. Szyperski, David George Hunt, Gregory Lawrence Hughes, William A. Manis, Terry Zmrhal
  • Publication number: 20090106646
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for the facilitating the layout and composition of graphics. Embodiments of the present invention allow declarative input for creation and modification of layout compositions and also allows adjustments or modifications made to layout compositions. Layout compositions may be created, adjusted, and modified by input through a markup language or by user-commands and gestures. Relationships and associations among nodes and among line segments and connections between nodes which are embodied within a composition or created by an auto layout are preserved both during and after adjustments and modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Laurent Mollicone, Stephen M. Danton, Yuri Rychikhin, Jordan Sehn, Florian Voss, Kean EE Lim, William A. Manis
  • Publication number: 20090089299
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to generating declarative model editors. A computer system receives a first user input indicating a selection of a native underlying schema that includes constraints that are to be followed by models based on the native schema. The computer system receives a second user input indicating a declarative entry that includes user-configurable model editor characteristics. The computer system automatically generates a declarative model editor based on the selected native schema and user-configurable model editor characteristics. Other embodiments are directed to editing models using declarative model editors. A computer system receives user input indicating a declarative entry to be applied to a model, generates a declarative model editor based on the declarative entry, receives a model that is editable by the generated declarative model editor, and edits user-configurable characteristics of the model. The model characteristics conform to the constraints in the native underlying schema.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Flynn, Laurent Mollicone, William A. Manis, Charles J. Strempler, Kean EE Lim
  • Publication number: 20090089739
    Abstract: In one embodiment, receives a user gesture indicating an edit to be performed on a target object within a model. The model is based on an underlying schema including constraints that define relationships between objects in the model, including the target object. The computer system determines that at least one of the constraints in the underlying schema is associated with the indicated edit of the target object and determines that the edit is valid. The valid edit complies with the constraints associated with the indicated edit of the target object. In another embodiment, a computer system receives a user gesture indicating an edit, determines that a constraint in the underlying schema is associated with the indicated edit, and provides an indication of a valid model edit to a computer user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Mollicone, James R. Flynn, William A. Manis, Stephen Michael Danton, Florian Voss, Kean EE Lim
  • Publication number: 20070198457
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for accessing and manipulating data in a data flow graph. A data flow graph includes one more transforms for transforming data from one or more data stores into different formats accessible to clients. Transforms can be configured to join and split data from the same or different data stores. A metadata tree logically represents the data flow graph including locations that provide output from transforms of the data flow graph. The locations can be referenced by clients to access transformed outputs. Clients can register dependencies on data at various locations and can request evaluation of the data in response to data changes at a corresponding data store. Clients can also request data changes be propagated back through the data flow graph to one or more data stores and implemented at the one or more data stores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brad Olenick, Clemens Szyperski, David Hunt, Gregory Hughes, William Manis, Terry Zmrhal
  • Publication number: 20070121548
    Abstract: A wireless communications network generating device comprises an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals, a communications bus for routing data signals; a radio frequency transceiver operable to receive incoming signals from said antenna and supply outgoing signals thereto. The signal processor includes a port electrically connected to the communications bus for receiving data signals. The device further comprises an Ethernet controller having a first port connected to said bus for transmitting and receiving data thereon and a second port for transmitting and receiving data to and from a peripheral device; and a microprocessor for processing said data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: William Manis, William Lobe
  • Publication number: 20060245096
    Abstract: The present invention comprises phasing systems and methods for software systems. In embodiments of the present invention, the phasing system comprises a multi-tiered phasing space where operations within the software system are constrained to a phase or a sub-phase. The operations execute only in the specified phase. Thus, operations that could yield improper results in large and complex software systems do not execute simultaneously but follow a certain order. The present invention also provides a data structure to introduce the phase constraints as software attributes into the software code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Arshad Ahmad, Brad Olenick, Clemens Szyperski, David Hunt, Gregory Hughes, Simeon Cran, William Manis
  • Publication number: 20030149618
    Abstract: Various systems and methods allow advertising content in products to be more flexible and dynamic. One feature allows the product purchaser to control the amount or type of advertising he or she receives along with a product. By paying a higher, premium fee, the user may receive a version of the product that contains little or no advertisement. However, if the user would like to receive advertisements with the product, a less expensive version is available that additionally includes advertisement content. Another feature of the invention allows advertisers to bid for advertisement slots provided in product packages. The products and advertisements may be structured so that the advertiser may freely change or manipulate the advertisements at any time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ilan S. Sender, William Manis