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:
Aug. 27, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 17, 1998
Christopher Hugh Pratley, Seattle, WA (US);
Katsuhiro Namba, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
In an electronic document, merging cells in a table, adding an integrated header to a table, and adding a nested table to a table. A table erasing tool allows a user to merge cells in a table. An indication is received to merge certain cells. The indication indicates at least one cell border for deletion. Cells of the table are merged horizontally across each row that includes at least one indicated cell border. Cells of the table are merged vertically across each column that includes at least one indicated cell border. A determination is made whether there are any successful merges and, if so, the merging tasks are repeated until there are no further successful horizontal or vertical merges. A table drawing tool allows a user to add an integrated header row to a table or create a nested table.