Alexander D Robinson

US Patent:

8458592, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Aug 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/184964

Inventors:

Shannon M. Farrington - Gilroy CA, US
Alexander D. Robinson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715712, 715705, 715708, 715709

Abstract:

Disclosed are an apparatus, system, and method for visual contextual searching in a computer application that has a graphical user interface (GUI). The apparatus includes a selection module that defines a selection area of the GUI that is displayed on the computer display. The user provides the necessary input defining the selection area using an input device such as a mouse to define the boundary of the selection area. A topic module determines a set of topics related to the GUI elements that are displayed within the selection area defined by the user. The topic module may make the association using a visual map. A display module then displays these results for the user in a results section that is shown on the display. The apparatus may apply filter rules to restrict the number and types of topics that the display module lists. Users may also associate topics with a particular GUI element or disassociate topics with a particular GUI element.

US Patent:

8521711, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Dec 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/611135

Inventors:

Tanya Couch - San Jose CA, US
Farnaz Erfan - San Jose CA, US
Thomas Friedrich - San Jose CA, US
Daina Edvina Pupons Wickham - Morgan Hill CA, US
Alexander Daniel Robinson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707706, 707728

Abstract:

A persistent filter refining system places a search result comprising objects in a dynamic non-persistent bucket and displays the search result in a dynamic non-persistent bucket display for selection of the objects by a user. The system transfers a selected object from the dynamic non-persistent bucket to a persistent bucket and displays the transferred selected object in a persistent bucket display. The system iteratively provides additional search results to the user for selection and transfer of additional selected objects to the persistent bucket to provide access by a user to take action on the transferred selected object and additional selected objects. In one embodiment, the present system displays one or more additional search results for comparison and selection of objects by the user.

US Patent:

20090031208, Jan 29, 2009

Filed:

Jul 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/828967

Inventors:

Alexander D. ROBINSON - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715227

Abstract:

A method for modifying a table to show cell and row details. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a command to expand a row with multiple cells to disclose details or in another embodiment to expand a single cell of a row, shifting the cells positioned below the row downward and expanding the row. The row or individual cell is expanded by displaying a detail region that is contiguous to row and positioned below the row. The cells positioned below the expanded row are shifted downward to provide sufficient space for the detail region such that the detail region does not hide any portion of any of the cells positioned below the expanded row.

US Patent:

20110055682, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/553211

Inventors:

Thomas FRIEDRICH - San Jose CA, US
Alexander Daniel ROBINSON - Austin TX, US
Kathy J. SETZER - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715227, 715838

Abstract:

Systems, methods, and computer products that create, update, save, and propagate customized views of table and grid information, including spreadsheets. The embodiment of the invention comprises associating at least one column as a first view of the table, associating at least one column as a second view of the table; and combining the first view with the second view, thereby efficiently creating a third view. Further, the combining includes dragging the second view; and dropping the dragged second view into the first view. The combining also includes creating a thumbnail image representing the first view or the second view. It also comprises updating columns that are shared between views. Additionally, the views may be stored, and new views may be propagated from the stored views.

US Patent:

20120159303, Jun 21, 2012

Filed:

Feb 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/405172

Inventors:

Thomas FRIEDRICH - San Jose CA, US
Alexander Daniel ROBINSON - Austin TX, US
Kathy J. SETZER - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715227

Abstract:

Systems, methods, and computer products that create, update, save, and propagate customized views of table and grid information, including spreadsheets. The embodiment of the invention comprises associating at least one column as a first view of the table, associating at least one column as a second view of the table; and combining the first view with the second view, thereby efficiently creating a third view. Further, the combining includes dragging the second view; and dropping the dragged second view into the first view. The combining also includes creating a thumbnail image representing the first view or the second view. It also comprises updating columns that are shared between views. Additionally, the views may be stored, and new views may be propagated from the stored views.