Digital Processing System for Remote Spreadsheet Cell Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spreadsheet applications face inefficiencies in referencing and managing cells across multiple spreadsheets, including manual naming issues, inconsistency in formula updates, name collisions, and difficulty in accessing named ranges across different files, leading to errors and time-consuming maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A digital processing system that receives user input, analyzes contextual information, assigns reference tags, and stores these tags for remote access across a multicomputer network, allowing users to reference cells without relying on location-based identifiers, enabling consistent and intuitive access to data across spreadsheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If location-based identifiers (row and column intersections) are used to identify cells, then the spreadsheet structure is simple and easy to implement, but users must manually navigate to find desired cells and input file paths, which is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates and manages unique identifiers for cells without requiring manual user input. When a cell is selected, the system self-services by creating the identifier and establishing the reference relationship automatically, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate and input file paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the cell reference system. Instead of directly using location-based identifiers or manual file path input, the system provides a intermediary mechanism that automatically resolves cell references based on selection, mediating between user intent and the underlying storage structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual naming of cells is implemented, then users can create custom references, but this leads to naming inconsistencies, errors, and time-consuming maintenance across multiple spreadsheets
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates unique identifiers for cells without requiring manual naming by users. When a cell is selected, the system self-services by creating a unique identifier and managing the reference relationships, eliminating the complexity of manual naming while preserving custom reference capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for cell identification from user-defined names to system-generated unique identifiers. This parameter change automatically resolves issues related to naming consistency and collision while maintaining the ability to create custom references.
3Adaptability or versatility
If file path input is required to access cells in other spreadsheets, then remote access is enabled, but the process becomes tedious and inefficient requiring exact knowledge of cell location and spreadsheet storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates the necessary reference information when a cell is selected, eliminating the need for users to manually input file paths. The system self-services by resolving the complete reference path and establishing the connection automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the reference relationships and generating identifiers before users need to access the cells. When a cell is selected, the reference structure is already prepared and resolved, eliminating the need for users to know exact storage locations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If named ranges are used across different files, then data sharing is enabled, but name collisions and inconsistency in formula updates occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification parameter from user-defined names to system-generated unique identifiers that are guaranteed to be unique across all files. This eliminates name collisions while maintaining cross-file data sharing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer that manages reference relationships across files. Instead of directly using names that may collide, the intermediary mechanism resolves references using unique identifiers, ensuring consistency in formula updates across different spreadsheets.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a digital processing system for transferring data for remote access across a multicomputer data network. In one embodiment, the digital processing system is configured to receive user input, analyze the data input, assign a reference tag to the data input based on contextual information associated with the data input, and store the reference tag within a memory device that may be accessed by one or more users of the multicomputer data network.