Spreadsheet Patents (Class 715/212)
  • Patent number: 7640493
    Abstract: Extensible markup language data in an extensible markup language (such as XML) is associated with a schema file for defining data types and data type definitions for applying data to the document. A map is prepared that relates that any extensible markup data applied to the document back to corresponding elements or attributes defined in the associated schema file. When the document is imported into a spreadsheet application grid, the data map is parsed to find XPATHs which determine the location, data types and user data for each cell or list object in the document related to the schema file. The cells and lists are populated with the extensible markup data and user data, and rendered according to formatting dictated by the extensible markup data applied to the document. The document may be exported such that the extensible markup data is maintained for subsequent import and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Collie, Chad Rothschiller, Ulrich Homann, Joseph Chirilov, Kelly J. Lynch, Ramakrishnan Natarajan, Eoin Burke, Juha Niemisto, Michael J. McCormack, Parul Dalia, Marise Chan, James Rivera
  • Publication number: 20090319542
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system, method, means, and/or computer program code are provided to facilitate use of a spreadsheet application to access information stored in a multi-dimensional data source. Some embodiments include receiving, at an analyzer module, a change indication from the spreadsheet application, the spreadsheet application being adapted to provide a user display having multiple rows and columns of cells, each cell being capable of containing a formula. It may be determined that the change indication is associated with range of multiple cells and that every cell in the range contains a formula of a pre-determined type. Based on an active cell associated with the change indication, information stored in the a multi-dimensional data source may be retrieved. Formulas in at least some of the cells in the range may then be automatically replaced in accordance with the retrieved information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Pierre Jean Le Brazidec, Florent Migeon
  • Patent number: 7636882
    Abstract: A method and system for creating a recursive scalable template instance (RSTI) in an electronic data table having dimensions D1 and D2. A recursive scalable template (RST) associated with the RSTI is selected such that the RSTI is to be structured in accordance with the RST. A plurality of contiguous recursive element instances (REIs) of the RSTI is created in a memory of a computer system. The REIs are ordered and aligned along the dimension D1. Each REI has a same size along the dimension D2. Each RET includes at least one scalable template instance (STI). Each REI is structured according to a recursive element (RE) defined for the RST such that the RE includes at least one scalable template (ST). Each ST of the RE is instanced to generate an associated scalable template instance (STI) of an REI of the plurality of REIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Aureglia, Frederic Bauchot
  • Publication number: 20090313537
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for displaying and managing spreadsheets on mobile devices. An optimized search can be performed. A selection is received from a user to open a spreadsheet. A find selection is received from the use along with keywords for which to the user wishes to search. Any matching keywords are found in the spreadsheet and the cell location of the keywords is retrieved. A results page is constructed that shows search result listings with the keywords along with data surrounding the one or more keywords. The results page is displayed. Navigation options are provided for allowing a user to navigate around the spreadsheet. Right, left, downward, and upward navigation options can be used to change the current view of the spreadsheet by a pre-defined number of cells. Techniques are described for optimizing the display of charts in the spreadsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsui-Ying Fu, Hung Ju King, Shao Yi Hung, Yung-Yu Tseng
  • Patent number: 7634730
    Abstract: The present invention provides a set of task-based helpers that automatically generate formulas that complete a task for the user. In one embodiment, the task helpers automatically create a formula from one or more functions that help complete more complicated tasks. The present invention also provides embodiments of user interfaces that help the user select the appropriate task helper and receive the discrete parameters of the formula for the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon G. Weber, Charles D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7624339
    Abstract: A method of displaying data on a multilevel screen display is disclosed. The method comprises assigning screen designation codes to respective groups of data, and determining the physical screen on which each group of data is displayed. The screens may comprise layered liquid crystal displays. The method is suitable for use with spreadsheet software, where a user is able to see overlaying spreadsheets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Puredepth Limited
    Inventors: Gabriel Daemon Engel, Pita Witehira
  • Publication number: 20090282325
    Abstract: A sparkline is associated with a location in a document to provide a visual representation of one or more data values included in the document. The sparkline is associated with a data source within the document including the one or more data values. The sparkline is generated by generating the visual representation based on the one or more data values with a matrix of points to be presented at the associated location in the document. The sparkline is presented at the associated location in the document. The sparkline is configured to be regenerated when one or more of the data values in the data source change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Chow Radakovitz, Adam Michael Buerman, Anupam Garg, Matthew John Androski, Matthew Kevin Becker, Brian S. Ruble
  • Publication number: 20090282324
    Abstract: For applications of web-based analytics and business intelligence reporting, methods and systems are provided for automatic creation of formatted Excel pivot tables with application specific initial views. The desired views are specified by templates and hence multiple pivot tables in a single Excel book is also allowed. Pivot tables are created by a remote server running the web analytic so that a user running the analytic can save the pre created Excel pivot table in his/her local machine. In one embodiment of the invention, the data table on which a pivot table is subject to the limitation of number of rows of an Excel data sheet and in another embodiment number of rows of data beyond that limit is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Dilip Patel
  • Patent number: 7617443
    Abstract: A method of consolidating data from multiple spreadsheets includes selecting multiple spreadsheets (52). Portions of data from files corresponding to each of the spreadsheets (52) are also selected. Automated consolidation of said portions of data is executed. The consolidation includes retrieval of the portions of data, generation of a final report spreadsheet (124), and appendage of the portions of data to the final report spreadsheet (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott H. Mills, Kurt M. Joseph, Melissa L. Oldenburg, Mark A. Nixon
  • Patent number: 7607088
    Abstract: A computer program product, electronic device and method are provided that enable a user to easily view, in a tooltip, all of the entities of a plurality of entities contained in a cell of a table when the width of the cell prevents the cell display from showing all of the entities. In response to a tooltip being opened for a cell of a table, the cell having a plurality of entities, at least a portion of the plurality of entities is displayed in the tooltip. An indicia expressive of a total number of the plurality of entities is also displayed. Alternate embodiments provide navigation aids in the tooltip to assist a user in more conveniently viewing all of the entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randal Lee Bertram, Aaron Roger Cox, Mark E. Molander, Kerry A. Ortega
  • Patent number: 7599760
    Abstract: A fuel cell system control system includes a fuel cell system and a controller. The controller includes a display and a processor configured to execute a program for managing an operation of a fuel cell state machine having a plurality of states and capable of executing logic to execute state transitions, and a fuel cell failure detection and correction program, configured to detect one or more fuel cell system failures and correct each detected failure while the fuel cell system continues to operate. The control process includes the steps of representing an operation of a fuel cell control system as a state machine having one or more states, controlling the operation of the fuel cell system using the state machine, executing one or more states of the state machine, and correcting operational errors in the fuel cell control system while the fuel cell system continues to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Abhijit Dutta, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 7594172
    Abstract: Metatag identifiers are stored in a spreadsheet, and are made available for use in metatagging various files. Steps may include: identifying the item of data in a document; activating an activation code; providing a listing of metatag choices; selecting a metatag from the listing of metatag choices; identifying the selected metatag with a column in the spreadsheet; and storing at least a portion of the item of data in a cell of the column. The listing is preferably a visually displayed listing, and selection can be made by clicking. Data previously associated with a metatag, and stored in the spreadsheet can be displayed as values. The values for a given metatag can thus be sorted and listed, providing immediate feedback to a user to assist in determining the propriety of a particular metatag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: Robert D. Fish
  • Patent number: 7594165
    Abstract: A table converter is disclosed that enables a user to convert any table, or portion of a table, displayed on a web page to a spreadsheet control embedded in the webpage. The table converter is a web browser plug-in or feature comprising a table analysis program (TAP); a table conversion program (TCP), a spreadsheet configuration program (SCP), a spreadsheet modification program (SMP), a configurable table engine (CTE), and a configurable table template (CTT). The CTE contains a rules database. The TAP interrogates the highlighted hypertext markup language (HTML) table structure <table>, <tr>, <th> and <td> tags, and text for delimiters. The TCP maps the table headings and data to a configurable table engine (CTE). The CTE inserts the headings and data into a configurable table template (CTT), and displays the CTT on the web page at a user configurable location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John Hans Handy-Bosma, Keith Raymond Walker
  • Patent number: 7590944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new and improved embodiments of systems and methods for displaying content within a spreadsheet graphical user interface. In one embodiment, a computer system has a graphical user interface that performs a method for displaying data within a spreadsheet application. The method comprises displaying a formula bar comprising a text box that displays data contained in the spreadsheet, displaying a first portion of the spreadsheet data in the text box, and expanding the formula bar to display a second portion of the spreadsheet data in the text box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon G. Weber, Charles D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7587665
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for providing spreadsheet-driven key performance indicators are disclosed. According to the method, a spreadsheet-driven key performance indicator is created that includes a location of a spreadsheet, a location of a cell within the spreadsheet to be utilized as an indicator value, and a goal value. The key performance indicator may be evaluated by retrieving the indicator value from cell of the spreadsheet, comparing the indicator value to the goal value, and providing a visual indication based on the result of the comparison. The goal value may also be expressed as a location within a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet locations may contain references to databases containing the data that should be utilized as the indicator and goal values. A warning value may also be specified, compared to the indicator, and a visual indication may be provided based upon the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Howard M. Crow, Andrew E. Datars, Eran Megiddo, Alfred Fai Hang Wong
  • Patent number: 7587666
    Abstract: Embodiments consistent with the present invention relate to methods and systems for displaying a plurality of data objects, each of the data objects including an object type of a predefined set of object types, each object type including a set of attributes. In one implementation, a method is provided that comprises displaying a first table including a row for each data object of the plurality of data objects and a column for each attribute of the sets of attributes, selecting one of the data objects by selecting one of the rows in the first table, and displaying a second table including a row for each attribute of the selected data object, wherein the first and second tables are displayed in respective first and second display areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Julien Delvat, Roman Rapp, Bernd Junginger
  • Patent number: 7584414
    Abstract: The method may include generating a plurality of reports where the plurality of reports comprise data from a database, generating at least one report document from the plurality of reports, the at least one report document comprising a plurality of rows, the at least one report document further comprising at least one report document object. The method may also include providing a row pointer to at least one row of the at least one report document, converting the at least one report document object of the at least one row to an extensible markup language schema definition object, serializing the extensible markup language schema definition object to an extensible markup language document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Joern Lindhard Mortensen
  • Patent number: 7581165
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating information exchange between individuals and entities interacting on a shared project are provided, and more particularly to a method and system for horizontal. i.e., non-hierarchical, participation in and/or contribution to a spreadsheet-based project. The method and system is Web-based and utilizes conventional browser and spreadsheet technology to achieve collaborative exchanges of information on an enterprise-wide basis. The method and system also facilitate efficacious remote information access and exchange, e.g., over a computer network such as the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, through a caching function that combines individual queries initiated by a spreadsheet program before transmitting across a network to a server for consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: OutlookSoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Cho, Perlie E. Voshell
  • Patent number: 7581168
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for determining whether to reproduce a chart image from the contents of a spreadsheet application workbook on a server. A calculation server calculates chart data for defining a chart image from workbook data retrieved from the spreadsheet application workbook, generates a representation of the chart data, and calculates an identifier for the representation of the chart data. A charting component receives the representation of the chart data and the identifier from the calculation server and compares the calculated identifier to a previously stored identifier on the server. If the calculated identifier is equal to the previously stored identifier, then the charting component retrieves a previously produced chart image from the representation of the chart data from the server. If the calculated identifier is not equal to the previously stored identifier, then the charting component produces a chart image from the representation of the chart data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Sean M. Boon
  • Publication number: 20090187815
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media provide space-efficient user interfaces to data cubes and pivot table information. Because the user interfaces are more efficient in usage of display area, smaller displays can be used more effectively in reviewing such data. The user interfaces provide a multi-dimensional navigation approach among dimensions represented in the data, which allows users to more easily maintain context when reviewing large pivot table reports, and the like. Other user interface features that ease review of such reports on smaller devices also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: MELLMO LLC
    Inventors: Santiago Becerra, SR., Quinton Alsbury, Jaime Zuluaga, David Becerra, Claire B. Maytum
  • Publication number: 20090182769
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a pasting link based on a data object oriented repository system (DOORS). The DOORS stores objects and link addresses of the objects, the link addresses of the objects records row numbers or column numbers of a spreadsheet, a group of storing addresses of the objects associating with each other are stored in the rows or columns of the spreadsheet, the storing addresses of the objects are addresses where the objects are stored in the DOORS, and the method comprises following steps when the objects are changed: (1) visiting the DOORS, and reading the link addresses of the objects; (2) visiting the rows or columns of the spreadsheet based on the row numbers or the column numbers recorded by the link addresses of the objects; and (3) performing content update of the objects in the DOORS based on change of content of the objects and/or address update of the objects in the rows or columns based on change of addresses of the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Jianpei Feng
  • Publication number: 20090183061
    Abstract: A tool set is provided that uses a series of modules (e.g. spreadsheet workbooks) for assessing risks/threats to and attacks against a project and developing countermeasures against such risks/threats/attacks. The project may cover a wide berth of functionality from alarm systems, computer security, building projects, etc. The roll up feature of the spreadsheet may be employed to evaluate changing scenarios in a short period of time. Ranked threats and countermeasures operable to defeat such threats may be displayed in a tree diagram generated by one or more of the modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph Di Beneditto
  • Patent number: 7559023
    Abstract: Systems and methods for declaratively controlling the visual state of items in a report allow the visual state of any report item to be toggled from any other item. A set of declarative metadata may be associated with a report item. The declarative metadata may identify an initial visual state of the item, whether the item is a control item, and if so which other items are controlled from the item. The declarative metadata may further identify an initial visual state of a control image associated with a control item. Report processing software can initially display a report in accordance with the initial visual state specified in the declarative metadata. When a control item is activated, the software can change the visual state of identified items, as well as the visual state of the corresponding control image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Hays, Jason D. Carlson, Fang Wang
  • Publication number: 20090172514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of presenting search results generated by a search engine, and a search report, in which individual search results are arranged into separate cells of a table with at least 2 columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Nash R. RADOVANOVIC
  • Publication number: 20090164880
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a media stream expression for association with a cell of an electronic spreadsheet. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a selection including at least one cell included in the electronic spreadsheet. The selection includes a plurality of media streams associated with the at least one cell. The method also includes presenting a graphical user interface including graphical objects presented in a first arrangement representing the plurality of media streams. The method further includes receiving input for manipulating at least one of the graphical objects for presenting the graphical objects in a second arrangement. The method also includes generating a media stream expression based on the second arrangement of graphical objects. The method further includes associating the media stream expression with a cell. The media stream expression for evaluation by the electronic spreadsheet to generate a resultant media stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: David B. Lection
  • Patent number: 7549116
    Abstract: A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium includes a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to display a data set as a table including a plurality of cells. Additionally, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to assign a column width to each cell in a row of the table, independently of other table rows having differing layouts, such that the table is capable of displaying a plurality of different row layouts simultaneously. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to display a dynamic header configured to display a row layout of a selected row of the table. Further, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to increase a readability of the dynamic header with respect to the selected row by various mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Chester Garcowski, Steven Brent Koonce, Dong Lieu, Brandon David Tweed
  • Patent number: 7549115
    Abstract: An architecture integrates spreadsheet functionality into tables commonly used in word processing programs and HTML documents. The architecture presents a table user interface (UI) that resembles a table when not being edited and adds spreadsheet elements to the table when being edited. Underlying the table UI, the architecture separates data handling functions from, presentation functions. The architecture includes a table appearance manager to manage how the table appears in a document including such characteristics as table resizing, selection, cut, copy, paste, split, merge, table formatting and so on. The architecture also has a spreadsheet functionality manager to manage the spreadsheet functions for the table, such as recalculation, formula handling, sorting, referencing, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kotler, Vinod Anantharaman, Christopher Matthew Franklin, Oliver G. Fisher, Alexander G. Gounares, Matthew D. Morgan, Richard J. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7548910
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically extracting relevant key concepts from a free-text document and indexing the document using the extracted key concepts. The indexing mechanism applies syntactic and semantic filters to filter out irrelevant terms. The remaining terms are deemed to be key concepts for the free-text document. An input search query is compared against the key concepts extracted for the free-text document for determining whether the document satisfies the query. Prior to applying the search query, additional scenario-specific terms are added to the search query in order to improve retrieval performance. The query expansion mechanism generates a list of candidate expansion concepts, filters the list of candidate expansion concepts based on a user-entered scenario concept, and expands the input query based on the candidate expansion concepts remaining after the filtering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wesley W. Chu, Zhenyu Liu, Qinghua Zou
  • Publication number: 20090150867
    Abstract: A method for enhancing functionality of an automated testing tool. Embodiments of the present invention provide for dynamically adjusting a date in an automated testing tool. System time in a system time format is adjusted according to a date offset. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of formatting a date in an automated testing tool. System time in a system time format is accessed, wherein the system time comprises a current date and a current time. The date is formatted according to a predetermined date format. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of regulating access to variables of an automated testing tool. An electronic document of the automated testing tool is populated with at least one variable and at least one value corresponding to the variable. In response to a request to access the variable, access to the variable and the value is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Venkata Subbarao Vorungati
  • Patent number: 7546521
    Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is a method and system for reporting the status of external references, or links, of a spreadsheet workbook. In an Edit Links dialog box, the user may view a list of links and their status. The user may select a Check Status button in the Edit Links dialog box to check the status of the links without updating the links because updating the links may require considerable time. A textual status message is displayed for each link in the Edit Links dialog box. The textual status message indicates to the user whether there is s possible problem with the link. As part of checking the status of a link, an analysis is made to determine whether any problems with the source file exist. For instance, it is determined whether the source file is open and whether it is valid. The results of this analysis determine what is displayed in the status column of the Edit Links dialog box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse Raymond Bedford, Matthew C. Gauthier, Tuan E. Huynh, Ramakrishnan NataraJan, Justin M. Maguire, III, Marcella C. S. Rader
  • Patent number: 7546523
    Abstract: In an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet, a method for displaying and/or hiding on a user interface including (A) detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element to hide; (C) identifying the selected display focus level; (D) identifying a table associated with the selected range of cells, the table associating each defined display focus level with at least one cell content criteria to apply to the content of the at least one cell; and (E) selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on the relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Aureglia, Frederic Bauchot
  • Patent number: 7546522
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for applying a global formatting scheme to a chart in an electronic document. According to a system, a chart application program receives a selection of a chart object in the electronic document and a document theme. The document theme includes a combination of formatting schemes including a color scheme, a font scheme, and a style matrix. The chart application program then automatically applies the selected document theme to the selected chart object in the electronic document. In applying the selected document theme to the selected chart object, the chart application program automatically updates a number of properties of the chart object including color, font, line, effect, and fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin M. Tolle, Brian S. Ruble, Miltiadis Vafiadis, Sander Viegers, Daniel P. Cory
  • Patent number: 7542979
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, method and system for loading data into a database. The invention includes a spreadsheet dataset, having data in the form of one or more records, a control file containing a set of rules, each rule having a condition and a spreadsheet loader. The spreadsheet dataset and the control file are inputs to the spreadsheet loader. Each rule in the control file is evaluated for each record to determine if the condition is true for the record, and the records are parsed if the condition is true. The spreadsheet loader sends the parsed data to the database. The invention includes a user interface to facilitate creation of the control file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Atul Gupta, Amar Singh
  • Patent number: 7530012
    Abstract: Computations included in analytics of a multi-dimensional cube are generated by analyzing a spreadsheet corresponding to data downloaded from the multi-dimensional cube so as to automatically convert a formula utilizing the downloaded data contained in the spreadsheet into a language of the multi-dimensional cube so as to provide a converted formula. The converted formula is incorporated into the multi-dimensional cube as a computed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Medicke, Feng-Wei Chen Russell, Stephen H. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 7530013
    Abstract: An optimizer of interdependent information for storing fragments of interdependent information based on their sequential interdependence, and input and output parameters based on address information about zones of location of input and output information of the interdependent information. Dynamic processing of interdependent information is enabled by translation and storage of information about the fragments of the interdependent information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ultimate Risk Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Bushel, Arkadi Relin, Sergey Komarov
  • Publication number: 20090113284
    Abstract: A workbook includes a spreadsheet having cells arranged in columns and rows. The cells include input cells and output cells. The output cells include a formula to be calculated. Calculation of the spreadsheet is divided into multiple tasks. The tasks are assigned among computing nodes within a computing cluster for concurrent calculation of the spreadsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sanjay G. Kulkarni, Jeffrey J. Wierer, Mingqiang Xu
  • Publication number: 20090113283
    Abstract: An interface for designing a report is provided, with elements of the report being disposed at intersections of report positions and configured to present information derived from data in a database. A formula is associated with one or more selected elements in the report to generate a result for the one or more selected elements. A tuple identifying the report positions of the one or more selected elements is associated and stored with the formula in a formula list associated with the report. The report is configured so that, when the report is generated, it is determined whether identifying report positions corresponding to an identified element in the report correspond with the tuple in the formula list. Upon determining the tuple corresponds with the identifying report positions for the identified element, the formula associated with the tuple is applied to generate the result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alisson A.S. Sol, Luming Wang, Xiaohong Mark Yang, Patrick J. Baumgartner, Peter Eberhardy
  • Publication number: 20090106640
    Abstract: A user interface is programmed to create a scorecard. The interface includes a scorecard module including a column area and a row area, and a key performance indicator area including a plurality of key performance indicators. A key performance indicator from the key performance indicator area can be dragged and dropped onto one of the column area and the row area to add indicia associated with the key performance indicator to the scorecard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Van de Walker Handy, Peter Birkedal Peterson, Brent Wilson, Corey J. Hulen
  • Patent number: 7523390
    Abstract: A system architecture integrates spreadsheet functionality into text. The architecture allows insertion of discrete individual fields, referred to as “free floating fields”, inline with normal textual sentences. In an HTML document, for example, the free floating fields are elements constructed along with text elements and rendered together as an integrated document. Once rendered, the free floating fields present contents that resemble normal text consistent with the surrounding text. The free floating fields offer spreadsheet functionality, including the ability to handle complex formulas, reference values in a separate free floating field or table, and automatically recalculate the formulas when a source value changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kotler, Alexander G. Gounares, Oliver G. Fisher, Matthew D. Morgan, Christopher Matthew Franklin
  • Patent number: 7523395
    Abstract: A method and system automatically creates and operates a web application from a spreadsheet without the need for specialized programming. The web application includes a guided data entry process created from spreadsheet worksheets. The web application interfaces with a database application, so that model data may be retrieved for analysis. The web application implements the model as a calculator data defining the relationships between the model values. A rendering data defines the appearance of the model values in the web application. A instance data includes the model values for an instance of the web application. A calculation engine calculates model values. A layout engine creates display information from the calculator, rendering, and instance data set. The rendering data includes objects having display methods for creating display information in accordance with its object type. Object types include inputs, outputs, and user interface elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Aman Namait, Max Schireson, Allison Waingold
  • Patent number: 7516114
    Abstract: Visual structuring of multivariable data sets provided in records which include fields, and are displayed in tabular form. A method comprising: defining a key field; sorting records by defined key field; finding equivalent field values in fields in records arranged adjacent to each other; defining a block for fields having equivalent field values; displaying one field value of fields of a block having equivalent field values and masking all other fields within the block having equivalent field values like the one field value. Facilitating monitoring or analysis of large multivariable data sets provided in records and displayed in tabular form it is proposed to define blocks of fields having equivalent field values and display only one field value of a block. The visual output is useful to identify patterns indicative of an attack. A service provider monitors records provided by a customer and notifies the customer of the attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Dieberger, René A. Pawlitzek, Markus G. Stolze
  • Publication number: 20090089653
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically generating a form associated with a spreadsheet table are disclosed herein. Such a form may have data entry fields that correspond to data attributes listed on the spreadsheet table. The form may be associated with the spreadsheet table by means of a user interface, such as an icon or other object oriented user interface. In this way, a command to display the form may be provided with one click of a pointing device. The form may be generally associated with each entry in the spreadsheet table so that the data from a selected entry is displayed. Besides entering new data or revising existing data, browsing of existing data in the spreadsheet table may also be performed through navigation mechanisms contained on the form. Techniques for syndicating a form associated with a spreadsheet table or workbook into a web page are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Campbell, Clinton Dee Covington, Daniel Parish, Eran Megiddo
  • Publication number: 20090089253
    Abstract: A display method for patent search comprises the steps of: providing a display list previously for entering at least one search term by a patent-searching interface, so as to automatically conduct a patent search through an executive program and download at least one computer file of at least one patent document matching said search term; copying literal contents in at least one representative section of each computer file into the display list; and displaying the display list by the patent-searching interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chung-Jen Huang, Alex Hrong
  • Patent number: 7512875
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide a “chart view” for a markup language referred to as Reusable Data Markup Language (“RDML”). Generally, a chart view comprises the components necessary for automatically manipulating and displaying a graphical display of numerical data contained in RDML markup documents. RDML is a markup language, such as the Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”) or the Extensible Markup Language (“XML”). Generally, RDML facilitates the browsing and manipulation of numbers, as opposed to text as in HTML, and does so by requiring attributes describing the meaning of the numbers to be attached to the numbers. Upon receiving RDML markup documents, the chart view transforms, formats, manipulates and displays data stored in the markup documents using the attributes describing the meaning of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: E-Numerate Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20090083613
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide a computer markup language, referred to as Reusable Data Markup Language (“RDML”), and a data viewer for retrieving, manipulating and viewing documents and files in the RDML format that may be stored locally or over a network (e.g., the Internet). Generally, RDML permits the browsing and manipulation of numbers, as opposed to text and images like in HTML, and does so by including attributes describing the meaning of the numbers to be attached to the numbers. Documents compliant with the markup language encapsulate machine-readable documentation with numbers and data, and permit the data viewer to act as a combination web browser and spreadsheet to automatically read, interpret and manipulate the numbers and data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Russell T. Davis
  • Patent number: 7509571
    Abstract: Methods and Systems in accordance with the present invention provide a file format for storing spreadsheets compactly on PDAs. PDAs only contain a limited amount of computer memory due to their small size and processing ability. To reduce memory constraints caused by PDA spreadsheet applications, the present invention reduces memory allocated for file storage by optimizing the compression of individual spreadsheet files within a database record storage system. This method and system in accordance with the present invention uses a collection of records to represent a spreadsheet file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Rank, David J. Proulx, Mingchi Stephen Mak, Herbert T. Ong, Akhil K. Arora
  • Patent number: 7505977
    Abstract: A method for updating a configuration of a websheet. A client receives a web page including the websheet from a server. The websheet includes data values stored in a relational database table. The table includes a first set of data values displayed in cells of the websheet in response to the client receiving the web page. The table also includes a second set of data values associated with the websheet configuration. Second set data values are not displayed in the websheet in response to the client receiving the web page. A form displaying the second set is received by the client. Second set data values are updated on the form to provide an updated websheet configuration. With its updated configuration, the websheet is displayed at the client and allows data entry to modify or add first set data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael David Rychener
  • Patent number: 7506243
    Abstract: An architecture integrates spreadsheet functionality into tables commonly used in word processing programs and HTML documents. The architecture presents a table user interface (UI) that resembles a table when not being edited and adds spreadsheet elements to the table when being edited. Underlying the table UI, the architecture separates data handling functions from presentation functions. The architecture includes a table appearance manager to manage how the table appears in a document including such characteristics as table resizing, selection, cut, copy, paste, split, merge, table formatting and so on. The architecture also has a spreadsheet functionality manager to manage the spreadsheet functions for the table, such as recalculation, formula handling, sorting, referencing, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kotler, Alexander G. Gounares, Oliver G. Fisher, Richard J. Wolf, Vinod G. Anantharaman, Matthew D. Morgan, Christopher Matthew Franklin
  • Patent number: 7505999
    Abstract: Automated generation of business correspondences includes accessing a template to retrieve a business form. The business form is encoded within a word processing application encoded, but also includes encoding for the dynamic generation of one or more fields consistent with formatting that is predefined in a template. Through the retrieval and filtering of business information, the business form includes dynamically generated business information data fields consistent with the filtered business information. The business information populates the appropriate fields in the business form, maintaining the proper formatting, including stylistic and table designations, because of the database formatting of the fields. As such, the business correspondences may be automatically generated with proper and consistent business information formatting. Meta data associated with the data fields in the template may be also used for other programming operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Karen A. Gee, Tobias Haug, Roman Rura, Dieter Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20090070662
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium having computer executable components is disclosed, the components comprising a plurality of staff lines and intervening spaces adapted to display a plurality of documents positioned along the plurality of staffs and intervening spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Mathieu Audet