Spreadsheet Query Caching for Low-Communication Recalculation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spreadsheet devices increase communication volume due to frequent server queries during recalculation, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A spreadsheet device that generates and caches queries and answers in a cache sheet, allowing retrieval from the cache instead of retransmitting queries during recalculation, thereby reducing server communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mathematical expression that calls a query function is set in a cell and recalculation is performed, then the cell value is updated with the latest query result, but the communication volume with the external server increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell value accuracyVSAvoidcommunication volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by storing query information and its corresponding answer in advance in a cache sheet before recalculation is needed. When recalculation is triggered, the system checks the cache sheet first and retrieves the pre-stored answer if the query matches, avoiding the need to retransmit the query to the external server. This preliminary caching mechanism resolves the contradiction by preparing data beforehand to eliminate redundant communications while ensuring accurate cell values are maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a query is transmitted to the external server every time recalculation is performed, then the cell reflects the latest data, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating a copy of the query information and its answer in the cache sheet. Instead of transmitting the actual query to the external server during recalculation, the system uses the cached copy of the answer from previous queries. This copying mechanism maintains data freshness by storing accurate results while eliminating repeated transmissions to the server, thereby reducing operational costs associated with each recalculation event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If query information is cached in a cache sheet, then communication volume is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication volumeVSAvoidspreadsheet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the cache sheet to serve multiple functions within the spreadsheet system. The cache sheet not only stores query information and answers for reducing communication volume but also acts as a reference database for recalculation operations, a storage mechanism for historical query results, and a comparator for determining whether cached data can be reused. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated caching components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving significant communication reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260003926A1Spreadsheet device, spreadsheet method, spreadsheet program, and add-in program

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BGBEE

AI summary

In a case where query information is stored in a cache sheet when recalculation is performed on a cell, a spreadsheet device (100) acquires an answer stored in the cache sheet in association with the query information, as a value to be stored in the cell in place of transmitting a query to an external server and acquiring an answer.