MANAGING EXTENSIBLE VALUE TYPES IN SPREADSHEET CELLS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method for managing extensible values, comprising:
- accessing a cell of a spreadsheet that includes many cells;
determining when the cell returns an object that is an instance of an extensible value data type;
wherein the extensible value data type is a third party user defined data type;
maintaining the object in memory when the object is in use by at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the object is maintained in memory by the spreadsheet application; and
releasing the object when the object is no longer in use by the at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the object is released by the spreadsheet application.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Individual cells within a spreadsheet may contain an extensible value as defined by an extensible value type. The extensible value type is a third party user defined value type that is incorporated into the spreadsheet as a supported data type. When the extensible value type is defined, an associated set of functions are developed to operate on the type. The spreadsheet manages instances of these extensible values such that they are properly maintained by the spreadsheet application while in use and released from memory when they are no longer in use.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for managing extensible values, comprising:
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accessing a cell of a spreadsheet that includes many cells; determining when the cell returns an object that is an instance of an extensible value data type;
wherein the extensible value data type is a third party user defined data type;maintaining the object in memory when the object is in use by at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the object is maintained in memory by the spreadsheet application; andreleasing the object when the object is no longer in use by the at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the object is released by the spreadsheet application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for interacting and managing extensible values within a spreadsheet, comprising:
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determining when an extensible value defined by an extensible value data type created by a third party developer is included within a cell of the spreadsheet; determining when an operation involves the extensible value; and
when the operation involves the extensible value;maintaining an instance of the extensible value in memory when the instance is in use by at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the instance is maintained in memory by the spreadsheet application; andreleasing the instance when the instance is no longer in use by the at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the instance is released by the spreadsheet application. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for managing extensible values included within a spreadsheet, comprising:
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a processor that is configured to perform operations; a spreadsheet application that is configured to perform steps, comprising; determining when an extensible value is contained within a cell of the spreadsheet;
wherein the extensible value is defined by a third party user defined extensible value data type;determining when an operation involves the extensible value; and
when the operation involves the extensible value;maintaining an instance of the extensible value in memory when the instance is in use by at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet;
wherein the instance is maintained in memory by the spreadsheet application; andreleasing the instance when the instance is no longer in use by the at least one of the cells of the spreadsheet. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification