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 Title: |
US5510980:
Method and system for selecting and executing arithmetic functions and the like
[ Derwent Title ]
>> View Certificate of Correction for this publication
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Peters, Chris; Bellevue, WA
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| Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
other patents from MICROSOFT CORPORATION (373780) (approx. 3,197)
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| Published / Filed: |
1996-04-23
/ 1994-06-27
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| Application Number: |
US1994000266799
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G06F 17/24;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
G06F 159/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
G06F17/24S;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
715/205;
705/032;
715/212;
715/217;
715/273;
715/277;
Original:
364/406;
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| Field of Search: |
364/419.1,401,406
395/013,51,148,155,157,161
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| Priority Number: |
| 1994-06-27 |
US1994000266799 |
| 1991-11-27 |
US1991000800589 |
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| Abstract: |
The present invention provides a method and system for automating the range selection process involved with arithmetic functions. When the sum function is selected, the system searches the cells above and to the left of the active cell to determine which cells the user is most likely attempting to manipulate. The range of cells selected by the system is marked by a flashing, dashed, bold border line, and is subject to confirmation by the user. To reject the range of cells selected by the system, the user only has to select a new range. The system reduces the steps required to perform an arithmetic function.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Seed and Berry ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
McElheny, Jr., Donald E.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
CC Certificate of Correction issued
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Parent Case: |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/800,589, filed Nov. 27, 1991, now abandoned.
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 31 claims |
I claim:
1. A method, executed in a computer system, of implementing a sum function in an application program under the operation of a user during a user session, where the application program uses a worksheet to store and manipulate data, where the worksheet comprises a two dimensional grid of intersecting columns and rows, where the intersection of each column and row is a cell, where a cell may contain data, and where a plurality of cells is a contiguous range of cells in the same column or row, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) during a user session, choosing a cell within the worksheet where a sum result will be displayed, the chosen cell having a location in the worksheet,
- (b) during the user session, requesting execution of the sum function;
- (c) in response to steps (a) and (b), the computer system automatically determining during the user session, which of a plurality of cells to select based upon the location of the chosen cell in the worksheet and without prior programming or input by a user to explicitly select the plurality of cells; and
- (d) responsive to the execution request, calculating the sum result of data associated with the determined plurality of cells and displaying the sum result in the chosen cell.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 25 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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