Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Tangis Corporation

Eric Lawrence Matteson

Mark S Igra

James O Robarts

Kent Rogers Lowry

Robert Wayne Coffen

David Michael Miller

John S Holmes

Alexandra K Heron

Andrew M P Milton

Techniques are disclosed for using a combination of explicit and implicit user context modeling techniques to identify and provide appropriate computer actions based on a current context, and to continuously improve the providing of such computer actions. The appropriate computer actions include presentation of appropriate content and functionality. Feedback paths can be used to assist automated machine learning in detecting patterns and generating inferred rules, and improvements from the generated rules can be implemented with or without direct user control. The techniques can be used to enhance software and device functionality, including self-customizing of a model of the user's current context or situation, customizing received themes, predicting appropriate content for presentation or retrieval, self-customizing of software user interfaces, simplifying repetitive tasks or situations, and mentoring of the user to promote desired change.

Contextual responses based on automated learning techniques

Multi-participant online activities are described. In one or more implementations, a protocol is described which ties an online activity (e.g., an online game) to an instant messaging infrastructure. For example, an online game may leverage the instant messaging infrastructure to form rosters of participants for participation in the online game, Once the roster is formed, the instant messaging infrastructure may further manage the presence of the participants in the online activity, such as which users join and cease participation in the online activity and notify other users of these changes. Further, the state of participation in the online activity may be stored such that the users may continue between sessions.

Multi-participant online activities

Formats are extended automatically to cells in an electronic spreadsheet. Previously blank, newly edited cell(s) are determined to be an extension or within a list of cells based on having a consistent data type, and the like. Next, formatting of the list of cells is examined for consistency. If consistent formatting exists, it is applied to the previously blank, newly edited cell(s). List of cells may include rows, columns, and the like.

Extension of formulas and formatting in an electronic spreadsheet

Spreadsheet cells are bound to external objects using a direct communication scheme having little processing overhead. A spreadsheet cell is bound to an object external to the spreadsheet, exposing a property or method of the object. The exposed property or method can then be used to update the value of the spreadsheet cell, either automatically when the exposed property changes, or in response to a request from the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is preferably a spreadsheet COM control, which is embedded in a web page that is preferably browsed with a Microsoft INTERNET EXPLORER&trade; browser. The external object is also preferably embedded in the web page and may include an automatic control that is used to acquire data over a network such as the Internet.

Binding spreadsheet cells to objects

Methods for automatically, without user instruction, extending a format and/or a formula to include a cell in an electronic spreadsheet. A previously blank newly edited cell may be determined to be an extension to or within a list of cells. A list of cells may be defined as a number of previous cells having a consistent data type. If a list of cells exists and the previously blank newly edited cell also includes the consistent data type, the previously blank newly edited cell is considered to be an extension of or within a list. The cells in the list are then examined for consistent formatting. If consistent formatting exists in the list, the consistent formatting is applied to the previously blank newly edited cell. Also, the cells in the list are examined for consistent formulas. The rows containing the cells in the list are each examined for a consistent formula having all supporting cells populated. If such a consistent formula is detected, it is applied to the row containing the previously blank newly edited cell. Also, the spreadsheet is scanned for aggregating formulas that reference the cells within the list. If an aggregating formula is discovered, it is updated to include the value of the data stored in the previously blank newly edited cell.

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Eric Lawrence Matteson