Method and system for distributing and collecting spreadsheet information
First Claim
1. A method for distributing and collecting information for an electronic workbook that includes a plurality of worksheets, the method comprising:
- assigning a contributor to a worksheet of the workbook by associating with the worksheet identifying information for the contributor;
associating with the worksheet distribution information for distributing the worksheet; and
distributing the worksheet to the assigned contributor based on the identifying information and the distribution information.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for communicating spreadsheet information between a distributor of a workbook and one or more contributors to the workbook is provided. A master workbook is created having one or more worksheets and assigning one or more contributors to each of the one or more worksheets. Embedded into each of the worksheets is a unique identifier for each of the one or more contributors to be assigned to the worksheet. The worksheets can then be distributed to the assigned contributors using the embedded identifier. After the assigned contributors receive the worksheets, each contributor can modify the received worksheets to which they have been assigned and return the modified worksheets to the distributor. The returned worksheets can be sorted and associated with the master workbook. The associated worksheets can be selectively merged into the master workbook.
223 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method for distributing and collecting information for an electronic workbook that includes a plurality of worksheets, the method comprising:
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assigning a contributor to a worksheet of the workbook by associating with the worksheet identifying information for the contributor;
associating with the worksheet distribution information for distributing the worksheet; and
distributing the worksheet to the assigned contributor based on the identifying information and the distribution information. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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- 2. The method of claim I wherein associating with the worksheet identifying information for the contributor comprises embedding the identifying information in the worksheet.
- 6. The method of claim I wherein associating with the worksheet distribution information for distributing the worksheet comprises storing one or more name-value pairs within the workbook.
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22. A system for collecting and distributing information for an electronic workbook that includes a plurality of worksheets, the system comprising:
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a storage device for storing the electronic workbook; and
a processor programmed to work in cooperation with the storage device to;
assign a contributor to a worksheet of the workbook by associating with the worksheet identifying information for the contributor;
associate with the worksheet distribution information for distributing the worksheet; and
distribute the worksheet to the assigned contributor based on the identifying information and the distribution information. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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- 43. An electronic workbook comprising at least one worksheet, the worksheet including embedded information for assigning a contributor to the worksheet.
- 47. An electronic workbook comprising at least one worksheet, the workbook including embedded information for distributing the workbook.
- 51. A contribution to an electronic workbook having at least one worksheet, the contribution including embedded information for returning the contribution to a distributor of the workbook.
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54. An electronic workbook comprising at least one worksheet, the worksheet including embedded information for distributing the workbook and collecting contributions to the workbook, the workbook having stored therein one or more name-value pairs that include one or more of an assigned contributor'"'"'s name, an email address for the assigned contributor, a distributor'"'"'s name, a distributor'"'"'s reply email address, special instructions, a master workbook name, a master workbook date, a due back date, information regarding how the workbook will be distributed, distribution status, information regarding when and how a contributor returned a contribution, information regarding when a distributor collected contributions and information regarding when a distributor merged contributions.
Specification