Dynamic Chart Data Source Association via Unique Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In spreadsheet applications, charts and their copies are bound to the original source data block, making it cumbersome to associate them with different data sources, as changes to copied data do not affect the charts, and manual modification of source data fields is required to link with new data.
Innovation Solution
A process where a chart pasted into a destination document is dynamically associated with an existing or newly generated data source in the destination document, ensuring synchronization with the appropriate data source, even if the original data source is not concurrently pasted, by using a unique data source identifier for global uniqueness across documents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chart is bound to the original source data block, then the chart automatically updates when source data changes, but it becomes cumbersome to associate the chart with different data sources requiring manual modification of source data fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic association between charts and data sources through unique identifiers. When a chart is copied or moved, the system dynamically determines whether to maintain the original data source binding or create a new one based on the presence of matching unique identifiers in the destination document. This allows the chart's data source association to be flexible and adaptive rather than statically bound to the original source block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces unique data source identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between charts and their data sources. These identifiers act as mediators that enable automatic reassociation when charts are moved to new documents. The identifier system serves as an intermediate layer that decouples the direct binding between chart and source data, allowing for automated reconnection based on identifier matching rather than manual reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If copies of source data are created and pasted, then data can be duplicated across documents, but the chart remains bound to the original source data and does not recognize the copied data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a copying mechanism that preserves unique data source identifiers when source data is duplicated. When source data blocks are copied and pasted to new documents, the copied blocks retain their original unique identifiers. This allows charts to automatically associate with the copied data sources through identifier matching, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration while enabling data duplication across documents.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual modification of source data fields is required to link charts with new data, then data source reassociation is possible, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where charts automatically reassociate with appropriate data sources through unique identifier matching without requiring manual intervention. When a chart is moved to a new document, the system automatically searches for data sources with matching unique identifiers and establishes the connection autonomously. This eliminates time-consuming manual reconfiguration while maintaining data source flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Associating an object with a relevant data source is disclosed. In some embodiments, an object pasted into a destination document is associated with a data source included in the destination document. In various embodiments, the data source associated with the object may comprise a data source concurrently pasted with the object into the destination document, a data source already existing in the destination document prior to the object being pasted into the destination document, or a data source generated in the destination document using data extracted from the pasted object.