The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 23, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 27, 1994
Applicant:
Inventor:
Chris Peters, Bellevue, WA (US);
Assignee:
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
364406 ;
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.