Andrew J Mcglinchey

US Patent:

7565607, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Jul 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/887414

Inventors:

Andrew J. McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Aravind Bala - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715709, 715763, 715967

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a system for automatically capturing images based on the actions of an author in completing steps in an overall task performed on a user interface. To capture the images the author activates a recording component. The recording component records images corresponding to the author's actions on the user interface. The recording component can pass the recorded images to an editing component where an author can generate text corresponding to the images to describe the actions. The images can also be published embedded in the text, if desired.

US Patent:

7574625, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Sep 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/940479

Inventors:

Andrew J. McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Aravind Bala - Redmond WA, US
Jefferson D. Fletcher - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 38, 714 39, 715273, 715705, 715708, 715731, 703 17, 703 22

Abstract:

Automated testing of active content wizards is provided. A test infrastructure (TI) accesses a list of ACW to test and controls an ACW runtime engine to execute the ACWs. During ACW execution, the TI interacts with the ACW runtime engine to inject simulated user information based upon test information stored relative to each ACW. The TI records errors generated by the ACW runtime engine as well as other errors relative to the ACW. The TI also directs cleanup of the operating environment between each ACW test. Reports of ACW failures can be provided to ACW authors and/or other interested entities for improvement.

US Patent:

7600199, Oct 6, 2009

Filed:

Apr 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/110297

Inventors:

Andrew John McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Brett Alan Waldbaum - Sammamish WA, US
Matthew A. Goldberg - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715853, 715854, 715762

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method is for rendering a display associated with a task-oriented user interface. The method includes receiving a request to display a category view that includes an indication of a plurality of task categories. A system database is referenced to gain access to a collection of information that is indicative as to which of a plurality of tasks are affiliated with a given task category. The plurality of task categories are displayed each in association with one or more affiliated tasks.

US Patent:

7703037, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Apr 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/109997

Inventors:

Andrew John McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Brett Alan Waldbaum - Sammamish WA, US
Matthew A. Goldberg - Bellevue WA, US
Randall Knight Winjum - Vashon WA, US
Mark Richard Ligameri - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715779, 715747, 715765, 715780, 715816, 715825

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method is for enabling a user to efficiently navigate to a portion of a user interface configured to support performance of a particular task. The method includes receiving from the user an input that includes a description of the particular task. A result set is returned to the user and includes a plurality of candidate tasks that correspond to the description. The candidate tasks are displayed relative to an indication of at least one corresponding applet.

US Patent:

20040255270, Dec 16, 2004

Filed:

Jul 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/887543

Inventors:

Andrew McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Aravind Bala - Bellevue WA, US
James Jacoby - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F009/44

US Classification:

717/109000, 717/105000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a system for automatically recording information indicative of actions of an author in completing steps in an overall task performed on a user interface. Recording systems are used to record the steps taken to perform the task on different computers having different configurations. The recorded steps are then imported into an authoring component where the recorded steps are arranged into a desired content.

US Patent:

20050033713, Feb 10, 2005

Filed:

Jul 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/887058

Inventors:

Aravind Bala - Bellevue WA, US
Andrew McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Saikat Sen - Redmond WA, US
James Jacoby - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06N005/04
G06N005/02
G06F009/44

US Classification:

706059000, 706045000, 706048000, 706050000, 706061000, 706060000, 706051000, 717106000, 717109000

Abstract:

A text generator automatically generating a text document based on the actions of an author on a user interface. To generate the text document the author activates a recording component. The recording component records the author's actions on the user interface. Based on the recorded actions, a text generation component searches a text database and identifies an entry that matches the author's recorded actions. This text is then combined to form a text document, which provides instruction or other information to a user. During the process of generating the text document, the text can be edited using an editor as desired, such as to enhance the comprehensibility of the document.

US Patent:

20050114785, May 26, 2005

Filed:

Sep 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/944688

Inventors:

James Finnigan - Redmond WA, US
Saikat Sen - Redmond WA, US
Andrew McGlinchey - Seattle WA, US
Aravind Bala - Redmond WA, US
James Jacoby - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G005/00

US Classification:

715762000

Abstract:

Active Content Wizards (ACWS) related to helping computer users perform tasks are executed using an ACW interpreter. In one aspect of the present invention, the interpreter provides multiple levels of user interaction for a given ACW script. In order to help focus the user's attention, various methods are used to increase the conspicuity of the user interface elements relative to sub-tasks during execution of the ACW script. In one embodiment, areas around the user interface element are also de-emphasized.