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:
Jul. 07, 2009
Filed:
Jun. 01, 2004
Daniel C. Battagin, Redmond, WA (US);
Johnny S. Campbell, Seattle, WA (US);
Robert G. Hawking, Seattle, WA (US);
Eran Megiddo, Bellevue, WA (US);
Liviu Asnash, Redmond, WA (US);
Alexander Martynov, Sammamish, WA (US);
Brian L. Welcker, Seattle, WA (US);
Ira Levin, Seattle, WA (US);
Daniel C. Battagin, Redmond, WA (US);
Johnny S. Campbell, Seattle, WA (US);
Robert G. Hawking, Seattle, WA (US);
Eran Megiddo, Bellevue, WA (US);
Liviu Asnash, Redmond, WA (US);
Alexander Martynov, Sammamish, WA (US);
Brian L. Welcker, Seattle, WA (US);
Ira Levin, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A method, system, and apparatus for discovering and connecting to data sources are provided. A system is provided that includes a server computer operative to maintain a centrally managed repository of data connection definitions. A client computer is also provided including an application program capable of consuming data from a data source. When a request is received by the application to connect to a data source, a list of available sources is retrieved from the server computer. If one of the data sources in the list is selected, a data connection file is retrieved and utilized to connect to the data source. If a report is opened by the application that includes a reference to a data source, the repository is utilized to confirm the connection to the data source.