Autonomous Spreadsheet Population From Natural Language Queries

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spreadsheets require manual data entry, which can lead to human errors and significant time and computing resource consumption, especially when deriving cell values from other cells.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for autonomously creating personalized documents with a tabular structure using natural language processing to retrieve data from external sources, including subjective and objective data sources, and automatically populate cells based on user queries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data entry is used to populate spreadsheet cells, then flexibility and control over data input are improved, but human errors increase and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidtime for data entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous spreadsheets to automatically retrieve and populate their own data from external sources without manual intervention. The spreadsheet autonomously identifies required data, queries external APIs, and updates cells, eliminating human error and time consumption associated with manual data entry while maintaining data flexibility through configurable data sources and update triggers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual data entry with an automated computational system. Natural language processing converts user queries into structured data retrieval operations, and programmatic interfaces automatically fetch and populate data, substituting human manual operations with automated software agents that eliminate errors and reduce time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual data entry is used to populate spreadsheet cells, then control over data input is improved, but computing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous spreadsheet automatically manages its own data population by identifying required data elements, formulating queries to external sources, and executing data retrieval operations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual data entry while optimizing computing resource usage through intelligent query formulation and selective data retrieval based on spreadsheet requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces natural language processing as an intermediary layer between user intent and data retrieval operations. This intermediary efficiently translates ambiguous user requests into precise data queries, reducing unnecessary computing operations and optimizing resource consumption while maintaining high data accuracy through multiple validation layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional spreadsheets are used with manual data entry, then ease of use is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of spreadsheet creationVSAvoiddata population speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous spreadsheet automatically performs data population tasks without requiring manual intervention. Users simply define the spreadsheet structure and data source parameters, then the system autonomously retrieves and populates data, maintaining ease of use while dramatically increasing productivity through automated data acquisition and cell population operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring data retrieval logic and establishing connections to external data sources during spreadsheet creation. This preliminary setup enables rapid data population without requiring manual data entry during usage, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly boosting productivity through pre-established automated data workflows

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If autonomous data retrieval is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata population speedVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous spreadsheet system implements a universal framework that handles multiple data retrieval operations through a single integrated architecture. The same core components manage diverse data sources, query formulations, and population operations across different spreadsheet scenarios, thereby achieving high productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity through reusable modular components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12493738B2Personalized autonomous spreadsheets
Publication Date: 2025.12.09 GOOGLE LLC
  • US12493738B2 patent drawing
  • US12493738B2 patent drawing
  • US12493738B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method includes receiving, by a processing device from a client device associated with a user, a natural language query corresponding to a request to create, for the user, a personalized document having a tabular structure, determining, by the processing device, one or more attribute categories pertaining to the personalized document, identifying, by the processing device, at least one external data source including at least one subjective data source related to the user, retrieving, by the processing device from the at least one external data source, data items indicative of the one or more attribute categories, and generating, by the processing device, the personalized document for the user by populating each cell of the personalized document with a respective data item.