Range Linking for Spreadsheet Structural Change Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to automatically propagate structural changes in electronic documents, requiring manual replication of alterations at each destination, which is time-consuming and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
Establish a range link between source and destination ranges to synchronize structural changes by coordinating cell locations and create cell links for data values, formats, and metadata, allowing automatic propagation of modifications from the source to all destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell links are established between source and destination tables, then data value synchronization is achieved, but structural changes (adding/removing rows/columns) are not automatically propagated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the table structure into individual cells, each with its own link to the source table. This allows independent tracking and synchronization of each cell, enabling the system to detect when cells are added or removed and automatically adjust the links accordingly, thus achieving automated structural change propagation while maintaining reliable data synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic link management where cell links are automatically created, updated, or removed based on structural changes in the source table. When rows or columns are added/removed, the system dynamically adjusts the cell links to maintain proper synchronization, transforming the static cell-linking approach into a dynamic system that adapts to structural changes automatically.
2Extent of automation
If manual replication of structural changes is performed at each destination, then structural change propagation is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the linkage mechanism automatically detects structural changes in the source table and propagates them to destination tables without human intervention. The system monitors for added/removed rows/columns, automatically creates appropriate cell links, and maintains synchronization, eliminating the need for manual replication efforts and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the source table structure and automatically responds to changes by updating destination tables. When structural changes are detected, the system feedback-loop activates to create or adjust cell links, ensuring automatic propagation without requiring manual intervention and significantly reducing the time and errors associated with manual replication.
3Extent of automation
If manual replication of structural changes is performed at each destination, then structural change propagation is achieved, but errors occur during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual replication process with an automated electronic system. Instead of humans manually copying structural changes across multiple tables, the system uses programmed logic to automatically detect changes, determine appropriate cell linkages, and propagate updates electronically. This substitution eliminates human error and significantly improves replication accuracy while maintaining full automation of the structural change propagation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for establishing a range link between source and destination ranges that may provide more efficient synchronization between source and destination documents are provided. In particular, a computing device may create a first source range from a range of cells in a source document, create a first destination range in a destination document by creating a range link between the first source range and the first destination range to replicate the first source range, receive an indication to publish a second source range to the destination range, the second source range including a structural change to the first source range, and in response to the receipt of the indication to publish the second source range, update the range link between the first source range and the first destination range to propagate the structural change to create a second destination range.