Ross W Comer

US Patent:

6430584, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Mar 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/525211

Inventors:

Ross Comer - Bothell WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1721

US Classification:

707503, 707538

Abstract:

A computerized spreadsheet automatically calculates a function using a set of selected cells as the cells are selected and immediately displays the result in real-time, without requiring entry of a function into a cell to perform the calculations. The computerized spreadsheet has multiple cells which are selectable by an indicator, such as a pointer or highlight bar. As the author selects one or more cells, an auto-calculator automatically calculates a preset function using the one or more selected cells and displays the result. For example, suppose the function is to sum all the values in a group of cells. As the author selects the cells within the group, the auto-calculator quickly computes the sum of the presently selected cells and displays the result. If the author changes the selection, the calculation is continuously updated and displayed in real-time. In this manner, the author can view intermediate calculations without having to write or embed a formula for them within the spreadsheet.

US Patent:

RE39326, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728000

Inventors:

Ross Ward Comer - Bothell WA, US
Adam Brett Stein - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/27

US Classification:

707508

Abstract:

A system for improving the efficiency and reliability of entering data into a database or spreadsheet computer program by providing suggested completions to the data entry operator. The operator invokes an edit mode () for a particular data area and a dynamic list of possible completions is generated () based on other data items associated with the edited data area. The list of possible completions is dynamic because it changes to reflect the status of the current data within the database or spreadsheet. As the operator enters characters of a data item (), the list of completed data items is searched for an entry that matches the entered data item (). If a match is found then the matching item is displayed to the data entry operator as a suggested completion (). The data entry operator can then elect to accept the suggested completion () or to continue entering the data item.

US Patent:

58192930, Oct 6, 1998

Filed:

Jun 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/659281

Inventors:

Ross W. Comer - Bothell WA
John R. H. Misko - Seattle WA
Troy L. Link - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707203

Abstract:

A method of entering and saving data using a spreadsheet program, includes providing a spreadsheet template that defines a spreadsheet form, and creating multiple instances of the spreadsheet form defined by the spreadsheet template. Each instance of the spreadsheet form has data-entry cells containing variable data. The method includes a step of associating each form instance with a different record of a database, wherein each database record has record fields corresponding respectively to data-entry cells of the form instances. When the user saves a particular form instance as a spreadsheet using the spreadsheet program, instructions associated with the form instance also save the variable data from the data-entry cells in corresponding record fields of an associated database record.

US Patent:

60555483, Apr 25, 2000

Filed:

Jun 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/657353

Inventors:

Ross Comer - Bothell WA
David Russell Williams - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1721

US Classification:

707503

Abstract:

A computerized spreadsheet automatically calculates a function using a set of selected cells as the cells are selected and immediately displays the result in real-time, without requiring entry of a function into a cell to perform the calculations. The computerized spreadsheet has multiple cells which are selectable by an indicator, such as a pointer or highlight bar. As the author selects one or more cells, an auto-calculator automatically calculates a preset function using the one or more selected cells and displays the result. For example, suppose the function is to sum all the values in a group of cells. As the author selects the cells within the group, the auto-calculator quickly computes the sum of the presently selected cells and displays the result. If the author changes the selection, the calculation is continuously updated and displayed in real-time. In this manner, the author can view intermediate calculations without having to write or embed a formula for them within the spreadsheet.

US Patent:

58453008, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Jun 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658798

Inventors:

Ross Ward Comer - Bothell WA
Adam Brett Stein - Bellevue WA
David Russell Williams - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1727

US Classification:

707508

Abstract:

A system for improving the efficiency and reliability of entering data into a database or spreadsheet computer program by providing suggested completions to the data entry operator. The operator invokes an edit mode (200) for a particular data area and a dynamic list of possible completions is generated (210) based on other data items associated with the edited data area. The list of possible completions is dynamic because it changes to reflect the status of the current data within the database or spreadsheet. As the operator enters characters of a data item (220), the list of completed data items is searched for an entry that matches the entered data item (230). If a match is found then the matching item is displayed to the data entry operator as a suggested completion (240). The data entry operator can then elect to accept the suggested completion (250) or to continue entering the data item.

US Patent:

59667168, Oct 12, 1999

Filed:

Jul 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/115449

Inventors:

Ross W. Comer - Bothell WA
John R. H. Misko - Seattle WA
Troy L. Link - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707203

Abstract:

A method of entering and saving data using a spreadsheet program, includes providing a spreadsheet template that defines a spreadsheet form, and creating multiple instances of the spreadsheet form defined by the spreadsheet template. Each instance of the spreadsheet form has data-entry cells containing variable data. The method includes a step of associating each form instance with a different record of a database, wherein each database record has record fields corresponding respectively to data-entry cells of the form instances. When the user saves a particular form instance as a spreadsheet using the spreadsheet program, instructions associated with the form instance also save the variable data from the data-entry cells in corresponding record fields of an associated database record.

US Patent:

55660681, Oct 15, 1996

Filed:

Sep 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/122891

Inventors:

Ross W. Comer - Bellevue WA
Cynthia A. Solomon - Bothell WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 1727

US Classification:

36441919

Abstract:

A method and system for locating field breaks within input data is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a software facility locates field breaks within input data. The facility first receives input data made of a large number of rows of text. The facility then selects a group of the received rows of text to analyze. The facility identifies field breaks within the input data by analyzing the selected group of rows of text. The facility preferably analyzes the selected rows by counting the number of substantive characters in each column of the selected rows. The facility then uses the count to determine which columns have less than a field-break threshold of substantive characters. The facility locates one field break within each series of columns that have less than the field-break threshold of substantive characters.