Spreadsheet Patents (Class 715/212)
  • Publication number: 20090063947
    Abstract: Displaying a calendar user interface is disclosed. An indication that a time period associated with a calendar bar in the calendar user interface has been edited is received. It is determined whether a date display element corresponding to a date in the time period in the calendar user interface is full. In the event that the date display element is full, all calendar bars associated with the date are modified. Printing spreadsheet data is disclosed. A request to print the spreadsheet data is received. In response to the request, the spreadsheet data is analyzed to determine a printing format including a print area for a plurality of pages. A request to the print the spreadsheet data using the determined printing format is sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Donna Michelle Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090044089
    Abstract: Automatically inserting a default function into a host cell is disclosed. In some embodiments, in response to receiving an indication of a selection and/or a specification of a set of one or more cells while in a formula editing mode, a default function is automatically inserted into a host cell into which a formula is being entered with the set of one or more cells as its arguments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Yaniv Gur, Peter William Rapp, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Publication number: 20090044088
    Abstract: Context sensitive delimiter insertion when adding references is disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of indications of selections of a cell or cell range while in a formula editing mode in a host cell into which a formula is being entered is successively received, and in response to receiving each indication of selection of the plurality a reference to the selected cell or cell range is successively inserted into the formula, wherein the references inserted into the formula are delimited by a first delimiter type if in a first context and wherein the references inserted into the formula are delimited by a second delimiter type if in a second context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Peter William Rapp
  • Publication number: 20090044091
    Abstract: Reference adding behavior in a formula editing mode is disclosed. In some embodiments, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of a cell, a reference to the selected cell is inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell if the host cell is not a header cell, and a reference to a row or column with which the selected cell is associated is inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell if the host cell is a header cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Yaniv Gur, Jay Christopher Capela, Peter William Rapp, Roger Rock Rosner, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Publication number: 20090044090
    Abstract: Referring to cells using header cell values is disclosed. In some embodiments, a header cell value of a header cell is allowed to be used to refer to one or more other cells that are associated with the header cell. The header cell may be included in a header row or column included in a table. A header row cell value may be employed to refer to one or more other cells in a corresponding column, and a header column cell value may be employed to refer to one or more other cells in a corresponding row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Yaniv Gur, Jay Christopher Capela, Peter William Rapp, Roger Rock Rosner, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Patent number: 7487437
    Abstract: A method and system for managing insertion operations in a recursive scalable template instance (RSTI) of an electronic data table having dimensions D1 and D2. The RSTI includes contiguous recursive element instances (REIs) ordered and aligned along D1. The REIs include scalable template instances (STIs). Contiguous elements are inserted, upon satisfying consistency condition(s), after or before an element in a first STI. The RSTI is structured according to an associated recursive scalable template (RST) that includes a recursive element (RE) including at least one scalable template (ST). Each STI is structured according to an associated ST. The contiguous elements are structured according to a first ST associated with the first STI. A size of the first REI along dimension D1 is adjusted according to a size of a largest STI in the first REI. All REIs of the RSTI remain contiguous without overlapping after the inserting and adjusting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Aureglia, Frederic Bauchot
  • Patent number: 7487436
    Abstract: A method and system for managing deletion operations in a recursive scalable template instance (RSTI) of an electronic data table having dimensions D1 and D2. The RSTI includes contiguous recursive element instances (REIs) ordered and aligned along D1. The REIs include scalable template instances (STIs). Contiguous elements are deleted, upon satisfying consistency condition(s), in a first STI. The RSTI is structured according to an associated recursive scalable template (RST) that includes a recursive element (RE) including at least one scalable template (ST). Each STI is structured according to an associated ST. The contiguous elements are structured according to a first ST associated with the first STI. A size of the first REI along dimension D1 is adjusted according to a size of a largest STI in the first REI. All REIs of the RSTI remain contiguous after the deleting and adjusting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Aureglia, Frederic Bauchot
  • Publication number: 20090031204
    Abstract: A system implementing a situation-oriented directory for retrieving a stakeholder identification includes a memory storing a relational database corresponding to the situation-oriented directory including a plurality of attribute-value combinations and a plurality of stakeholder identifications, wherein the plurality of attribute-value combinations are mapped to the plurality of stakeholder identifications such that for each attribute-value combination exactly one stakeholder is mapped, and a processor in communication with the memory for receiving a query and retrieving the stakeholder identification from among the plurality of stakeholder identifications based on the attribute-value combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Huang, Jim Laredo, Markus Gero Stolze, Piyawadee Sukaviriya, Brian White, Kuo Zhang
  • Patent number: 7484170
    Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for providing importation of a source text file into a spreadsheet file. A file format profile manager dynamically links a file format profile to the source text file, such that the formatting process performed after the importation operation is dynamically tailored to the source text file. A file format profile editor allows a user to formally describe the formatting actions to be performed for a given file format profile. A spreadsheet file user profile maintains location links between the imported source text files and their location within the spreadsheet file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Collet, Jean-Christophe Mestres, Carole Truntschka
  • Patent number: 7480854
    Abstract: A data conversion system and method are provided. Specifically, under the present invention, a collection of data records is received from a first application. The data records include data fields for storing data entries, with at least one of the data fields including multiple data entries. Each data entry is tagged with a corresponding data header (meta data) and individually arranged, along with a corresponding record identifier, into a separate row of a table. This eliminates any multiple value data fields so that the data can be more accurately manipulated and reported by a second application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Debra L. Zeggert
  • Patent number: 7472339
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for persistently self-replicating multiple ranges of cells through a copy-paste operation, in a multi dimensional spreadsheet. A set of ranges of cells is defined, wherein each range of cells has the same size. Each time the content of a range of cells belonging to this set is changed, a self-replication operation is performed automatically. The self-replication operation includes the steps of copying the changed range of cells onto a buffer; determining the set of ranges of cells to which the changed range of cells belongs to; identifying the ranges of cells belonging to the set; and pasting the content of the buffer in each of identified range of cells belonging to the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic Bauchot
  • Patent number: 7467350
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for copying and pasting, in an electronic multi-dimensional spreadsheet, displayed elements of a source range of cells onto a destination range of cells, the source range of cells including one or more elements displayed on a user interface and one or more hidden elements, the elements being contiguous and aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Aureglia, Frederic Bauchot
  • Patent number: 7461351
    Abstract: An interactive formatting tool enables a user to analyze and modify the formatting properties that have been applied to a text string. A user can invoke the formatting tool by displaying an Interactive Formatting Pane and then selecting a text string for analysis. The Interactive Formatting Pane will display all formatting properties applied to the text selection, including font properties, paragraph properties, and section properties. The Interactive Formatting Pane may also display table format properties, frame format properties, cell format properties and bullets and numbering format properties, if applicable. The user may then select a formatting category (e.g., font size) from the Interactive Formatting Pane and a format modification dialog will be displayed. The format modification dialog enables the user to modify the formatting properties associated with the selected formatting category. The Interactive Formatting Pane also includes a compare selection checkbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Bailey, Roberto C. Taboada
  • Patent number: 7451397
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically completing a formula of a spreadsheet application, calculator application, accounting application, business application or banking application. One aspect of the present invention is a computer-implemented method for automatically completing formulaic cell data. The computer-implemented method includes a step for substantiating an autocomplete process in response to a user input of formulaic cell data and aggregating autocomplete options based on the user input. Another aspect of the present invention includes displaying a dynamic list of autocomplete options when the user input is a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon G. Weber, Charles David Ellis
  • Patent number: 7447987
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically positioning a data string in a column on an electronic display where a first distinguishable position is identified in the data string and the first distinguishable position in the data string is displayed within the visible area of the column on the electronic display. The automatic positioning occurring as a result of a change in or the initial presentation of information on the electronic display or as a result of a user interface action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Volker Sauermann
  • Patent number: 7444584
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for formulaically redirecting and modifying formula set operations in a spreadsheet application. A spreadsheet application may link the contents of one spreadsheet cell to other spreadsheet cells so that changes in one cell are reflected in linked cells. Three spreadsheet functions are provided which allow for formulaically redirecting and modifying formula set operations in a spreadsheet application. A first spreadsheet function, SETATREF, redirects a formula set in one spreadsheet cell to another spreadsheet cell. The SETATREF function may also allow a formula set to one spreadsheet cell to be redirected to and modified in a second spreadsheet cell. A second spreadsheet function, SETATREFEXPR, redirects a formula set to a formulaic location within a spreadsheet cell. A third function, SETATREFEVAL, allows for an evaluation of a formula at formula set-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Craig A. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20080256432
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of information processing involving digital computers, embedded devices and more particularly, to a method and system for defining hierarchical data model and related computation and instructions rules using electronic spreadsheet like interface. The system and method of the invention arc directed to user friendly, fast, development of multi-user, workflow enabled applications using spreadsheet as a tool for application modeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Suresh Sambandam, Manivanna Karthikeyan, Prasanna Babu Jaganathan, Rajesh Manickadas, Dinesh Varadharajan
  • Patent number: 7437365
    Abstract: The invention is a method for Web authors to include a redirection tag in an HTML data object tag that redirects an application program to an alternative source file that stores underlying data associated with an HTML data object that a user has selected to import into the application program. Typically, HTML data objects in Web page are stored in HTML format. However, when a user selects an HTML object to import, they generally expect to import the data in the format that it was originally created in, such as XML. The redirection tag “redirects” the application program to an alternative source file where the underlying data is stored in a rich format, such as XML. The application program then imports the underlying data of the HTML data object from the alternative source file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Charles Gauthier, Robert Hawking, Tyson Murray, Wentao Chen, Hein Anh Bui, Anna Timasheva
  • Publication number: 20080244379
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for displaying detailed information in the context of a condensed enumeration of information. For example, in one aspect, in one aspect, a display includes a visual rendition of a table that systematically arranges condensed information in a collection of rows and columns for reference by a human user. The table includes information characterizing a collection of items. The visual rendition of the table comprises a region that renders additional detail regarding a first item in the collection. The region is disposed in the midst of the visual rendition of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Daniela K Busse, Ramshankar Venkatasubramanian, Kevin Wang
  • Publication number: 20080243823
    Abstract: A method for automatically generating target information within an electronic document including the steps of: retrieving term-based identifying information from the electronic document that specifies the target information to be generated; accessing rules associated with generation of the target information based on the retrieved term-based identifying information; analyzing the identifying information and the rules to identify a type of target information to be generated and a formula that uses underlying data to generate the target information; automatically generating data source instructions based on the type of target information to be generated and the formula; and automatically processing the data source instructions to generate the target information within the electronic document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Russell Baris, Arthur Kruk
  • Publication number: 20080244377
    Abstract: A cell navigation system is described that allows easy navigation to cells that are likely to be important to a spreadsheet user. The cell navigation system tracks each cell that a user visits and determines the importance of the cell to the user. The system adds important cells to a navigation list. The cell navigation system presents the list to the user as a tool for navigating to the important cells through a user interface. Thus, the cell navigation system provides the user with a quick and easy way of navigating through a potentially large spreadsheet or workbook of spreadsheets to get to those cells that are most important to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Erwig, Andrew Yip, Matthew McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 7430710
    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: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: OutlookSoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Cho, Perlie E. Voshell
  • Patent number: 7430709
    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: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: OutlookSoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Cho, Perlie E. Voshell
  • Publication number: 20080229184
    Abstract: Private sheets are disclosed, in shared computer applications, such as spreadsheets. In one aspect, a public sheet is accessible to a first client and a second client; and, moreover, a private sheet is accessible only to the second client. The private sheet is configured to access content in the public sheet, but the public sheet can't access content in the private sheet. In this way, users can use private sheets to perform calculations or modeling on the side, while collaborating on public sheets with other users. In another aspect, changes made to the public sheet can be reflected in the private sheet, if such changes are referenced by the private sheet to content in the public sheet. However, changes made to the private sheet are not reflected in the public sheet. Numerous other specific aspects are also disclosed, such as private sheets accessing values but not formulas from public sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Shahar Prish, Eran Megiddo
  • Publication number: 20080228550
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to present a task grid to a set of users. A specification of target column information and source column information is accepted from the set of users to produce a data migration task grid. A data migration task is generated from the data migration task grid. The data migration task is processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: BUSINESS OBJECTS, S.A.
    Inventors: Aun-Khuan TAN, Kirubakaran PAKKIRISAMY
  • Patent number: 7426688
    Abstract: A cell of a spreadsheet is automatically updated and a comment is determined to have a command associated with the update. In response to detecting the command, the command is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Bill Serra, Salil Pradhan, Antoni Drudis
  • Publication number: 20080222510
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising monitoring for activity relating to a spreadsheet; for each activity detected, generating an entry in a history log for the spreadsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Huy Nguyen, Gavin Harvett, George Langan
  • Publication number: 20080222508
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising receiving user-input selecting two spreadsheets; receiving user-input comprising a basis for a comparison between the two spreadsheets; performing a comparison between the two spreadsheets in accordance with the basis and displaying a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Huy Nguyen, Gavia Harvett, George Langan
  • Publication number: 20080222507
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising receiving at least one spreadsheet file corresponding to a spreadsheet having at least one constituent spreadsheet object, the spreadsheet file being encoded in a file format capable of being rendered by a spreadsheet program; decomposing the at least one spreadsheet file into its constituent spreadsheet objects; and saving the spreadsheet objects in a database as database objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Huy Nguyen, Gavin Harvett, George Langan
  • Publication number: 20080222509
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method, comprising: receiving a source spreadsheet; receiving a target spreadsheet; generating a mapping to transform the source spreadsheet into the target spreadsheet; and saving the mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Huy Nguyen, Gavin Harvett, George Langan
  • Patent number: 7424668
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium having computer-executable modules includes a computer spreadsheet application including a series of cells arranged in addressable rows and columns, and at least one set of linked cells having an embedded function and position relative to other cells in the series of cells, the embedded function being linked to at least one other cell in the series of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart N. DeSpain
  • Publication number: 20080215621
    Abstract: A metamodel-based system for automatically generating reports is provided. Much of the work involved in creating report designs and reports is automated, allowing developers to produce a broad variety of report designs and reports in a fraction of the time required with standard report development, according to one illustrative embodiment. Metamodels for data and style templates may be created, that allow for the automated design and manipulation of report models. The report models may be used to generate reports that include the indicated data, arranged according to indicated data field properties, settings, and style templates. Changes made in the metamodels can automatically be reflected in reports designed according to those metamodels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Karthik Ravindran, Manoj Nuthakki
  • Publication number: 20080215959
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a media stream in a media spreadsheet. The method includes presenting, via a user interface, an electronic spreadsheet having a plurality of cells. The method also includes receiving an association of a source media stream object with a first cell of the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving an association of a media stream transformation operation with one of the first cell and a second cell of the plurality of cells, wherein the media stream transformation operation references, respectively, one of the source media stream object and the first cell. The method also includes automatically applying the media stream transformation operation to the source media stream object to generate a resultant media stream object, based on the reference. The method further includes associating the resultant media stream object with at least one of the plurality of cells of the electronic spreadsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: David B. Lection
  • Patent number: 7421652
    Abstract: A document summary which includes an assemblage of a plurality of summary entries is generated for an electronic document. In the generation of the document summary, a content structure or properties within the electronic document are analyzed. The plurality of summary entries are selected from the contents of the electronic document based on the analysis of the content structure or properties. The content structure within the electronic document may include a table of contents, a plurality of spreadsheet worksheets, a plurality of document pages, etc. The content properties within the electronic document may include text formatting, paragraph formatting, paragraph sizing, etc. Preferably, the best available content structure or properties within the electronic document is identified and utilized in the selection of the plurality of summary entries. The document summary is provided to a mobile communication device in response to a request for the electronic document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Arizan Corporation
    Inventors: Jianwei Yuan, Olav A. Sylthe
  • Patent number: 7421646
    Abstract: A system and method for mapping payload data to a spreadsheet list. The present invention comprises a system for mapping payload data to a spreadsheet list without the use of a schema. After receiving a spreadsheet list, the present invention generates the parent path of each field path defined in the spreadsheet list. The longest parent path may be used to generate a set of bind nodes from the payload data. The present invention may map each bind node to a row in the spreadsheet list. By traversing from each bind node using the bottom path and the field paths, the present invention may obtain the values of all of the other fields in the rows of the spreadsheet list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Yiu-Ming Leung
  • Patent number: 7415474
    Abstract: A calculation engine processes user-definable formulas to generate calculation results. A calculation engine may use the following types of data structures: table, column, row, and field. A sub table may be embedded within a row. Operations may be performed at various levels, such as at: table, column, and field. A calculation engine may operate on a calculation table having columns, which may each have an ordered list of formulas. Formulas within such an ordered list may be evaluated in the order specified until one of the formulas is successfully evaluated. A hierarchy of formulas may be formed by a column's formula depending on another column or table. A graph of data dependencies may be prepared for determining an order in which operands and operations should be evaluated and performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kanchan Mitra, Anna V. Timasheva, Dipan Dewan, Kenneth L. Crocker, Robert E. Corrington, David V. Gunter
  • Patent number: 7415664
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, system and program for exporting-importing the content of input cells from a source scalable template instance in a source multi-dimensional spreadsheet to a destination scalable template instance in a destination multi-dimensional spreadsheet; a multi-dimensional spreadsheet comprising a plurality of cells identified by a cell address along each dimension; a scalable template instance comprising a variable number of contiguous elements of same size ordered and aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension and structured according to information defined in an associated scalable template; an element being defined as a range of cells; a range of cells comprising one or a plurality of cells; said scalable template comprising an element profile; an element profile defining a cell content and a cell destination for each cell within each element; said cell destination specifying whether the cell is an input cell for receiving an entry or an output cell for producing a r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Aureglia, Frederic Bauchot
  • Patent number: 7415481
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of structured name within a spreadsheet program that allows users to refer to tables, columns of data within tables, headers of tables, totals from tables, PivotTables®, and portions of PivotTable® data by the data's headers. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for referring to a set of data that comprises receiving one or more semantic designations, wherein the one or more semantic designations name a set of context information that describes one or more items of data in a data structure, automatically creating a structural reference, and associating the context information with the structural reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Becker, Charles D. Ellis, Joseph M. Chirilov, Juha P. Niemisto, Matthew J. Androski, Robert C. Collie, Robert G. Hawking, Simon Peyton-Jones, Weide Zhong
  • Patent number: 7412645
    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: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kotler, Alexander G. Gounares, Oliver G. Fisher, Richard J. Wolf, Vinod Anantharaman, Matthew D. Morgan, Christopher Matthew Franklin
  • Publication number: 20080189597
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for synchronizing spreadsheet data. A system is provided having: a scheduling system for scheduling a first import time, a second import time, a first export time and a second export time; an import system for obtaining a first spreadsheet from a first entity at the first import time, and for obtaining a second spreadsheet from a second entity at the second import time; a synchronization system for synchronizing the first spreadsheet and the second spreadsheet to obtain a first revised spreadsheet and a second revised spreadsheet; and an export system for providing the first revised spreadsheet to the first entity at the first export time, and for providing the second revised spreadsheet to the second entity at the second export time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew J. Garrett, James A. Martin, Jeffrey E. Prince
  • Publication number: 20080177610
    Abstract: A visual responsibility matrix is provided that communicates the scope of a technical design or solution used to perform a service. The visual responsibility matrix is a spreadsheet that contains a logical diagram that is representative of components that are in the scope of the technical design or solution. A matrix contains a listing of each of the components that are in the scope of the technical design or solution and a listing of services that are performed for each of the components. The matrix further includes a name of a party in that has the responsibility to perform the service associated with the component. In addition, the matrix provides the costs associated with fulfilling each responsibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20080168341
    Abstract: A digital spreadsheet system that recognizes formula names and formula variables in real-time, that constructs a formula in accord with the formula's name and that enters it in the associated cell. The digital spreadsheet method consists of recognizing a formula's name, of traversing the spreadsheet's used range to identify the formula related variables, of identifying errors and missing information, and if applicable of prompting the author to correct the errors and to complete the missing variables, of constructing a formula that relates to the formula's name, of recognizing the likely place the result is to be inserted, of asserting that no other data is located at that place, and if applicable of prompting the author to specify an alternate location and of inserting the completed formula at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond Payette
  • Patent number: 7395497
    Abstract: In a storage area network (SAN) management application, large data sets tend to produce unwieldy results upon display attempts. A mechanism for gathering and organizing a large data set into an ordered set of output display entries which does not require main memory storage for the entire large data set, generates a displayable portion without excessive memory consumption. Configurations employ a multiple pass gathering and organization operation. An output criteria specifies a key field and identifies a range of entries by specifying a particular screen for display from among the full range of screens. A parser retrieves and identifies the entries, during a first pass, using only the key field and an index for each of the entries in the large data set, to avoid loading all fields of each entry in entirety. A second pass fetches entries only for the identified entries corresponding to the output criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Chaulk, Udi Bar-On, Xiaohua Cheng
  • Publication number: 20080140555
    Abstract: Systems, and programming for improved arrangement and administration of syndicated loans using computer networks. Each of a plurality of bookrunners is authorized to invite any number of other bookrunners, as well as any number of loan participants, or underwriters (i.e. investors or lenders), to participate in offering and administering a loan, typically by providing various forms of information describing the proposed loan, including the borrower, the proposed terms, and possibly any potential participants in making the loan. Invitees who accept such invitations may be associated with the inviting bookrunner, and upon being accepted as participants may be granted by the bookrunner access to various sets of communications, documents, and other information concerning the proposed loan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Sean Yat Sing TAI, Timothy Julian Davis SKINNER
  • Publication number: 20080104499
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for exposing graphical user interface layout logic and parameters. The method may be used with any language or tool capable of creating a graphical user interface. The equations affecting an element's properties in the graphical user interface are exposed to the designer. The designer is able to use the equations to anticipate what value is required to make a necessary adjustment. Further, the present invention emphasizes the values adjusted by the designer as well as the results from calculating the equation, so the designer can easily see adjustments made. As the designer makes changes, the changed values may be emphasized and the corresponding affect the value had on the element may also be displayed with a corresponding emphasis. The present invention eliminates graphical user interface designer's reliance on trial-and-error methods of element control by providing the designer with the knowledge of how the element will be affected before a value is arbitrarily applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Rudolf Anzelde, Todd Michael Eischeid
  • Publication number: 20080104498
    Abstract: In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method of selecting and merging columns on a spreadsheet includes displaying a first data set residing in cells in a first column; displaying a second data set residing in cells in a second column; displaying a set of menu options for merging the first data set and the second data set; receiving a menu entry selection signal indicative of the selection device pointing at a selected menu option from the set of menu options; and merging the first data set and second data set into a third column in response to the selection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark E. Molander, Frank L. Jania
  • Publication number: 20080082938
    Abstract: Displaying tabular information in a user interface (UI) on a display screen is enhanced by freezing selected non-adjacent columns (rows). Freezing ensures the display of the selected non-adjacent columns (rows) when scrolling to bring other columns (rows) into the table for display. Border rows (columns) may also be frozen when scrolling. A table in a document navigable by moving a focus to scroll the document may be displayed by a UI control configured to automatically display the frozen border rows (columns). When scrolling a focus in the document at an edge of the display screen to bring the UI control into the display, the UI control aligns a portion of the table with the edge and paints the frozen border row (column). The UI control maintain the display of the border row (column) when scrolling through the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Tomasz Buczek
  • Publication number: 20080082908
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of processing data includes creating a data table characterizing data values, receiving a data selection from within the data table, and automatically generating a data chart based on the data selection. A specified preference may be recorded. The specified preference may be applied to create a revised data chart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Business Objects, S.A.
    Inventor: John Malcolm MacGregor
  • Publication number: 20080046803
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a set of elements on a device display. The method includes positioning the set of elements on the device display, where the set of elements includes a first set of spatial indicia, and the device display further includes a first set of device characteristics. The method also includes generating a first set of workspace configuration indicia based, in part, on the first set of spatial indicia and the first set of device characteristics; and, if desired, re-positioning the set of elements on the device display, where the set of elements includes a second set of spatial indicia, and wherein the device display further includes a second set of device characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Tim J. Beauchamp, Tana Christine Jackson, Kendall J. Cosby
  • Publication number: 20080040654
    Abstract: According to the present invention, even a user lacking the knowledge of semiconductor testing apparatus can easily generate a test program, and easily perform alternation and correction of the test program. In the present invention, a microprogram of a spreadsheet software being one of the commonly used application software is used to create the test program. Therefore, even a user lacking the knowledge of semiconductor testing apparatus can easily generate a test program, and easily perform alternation and correction of the test program. When the alternation and the correction of the test program are performed, only setting conditions of each sheet are altered and corrected, and the alternation and the correction of the test program are easily performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Yo Sugawara