Storing table data

• US 20090043804A1
• Filed: 08/06/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chapman, Jesse, Su, Peter, Berger, Peter Glen, Lehrian, Matthew Ross
• Granted Patent: US 8,327,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/177 of tables; using ruled lines

Abstract

In some embodiments, the grid definition and data source definition portions of a table definition are segregated. Grid definition values included in the grid definition portion include one or more grid geometry values and/or grid line style values. Cell content values included in the data source definition portion include one or more data values and/or cell-specific style values.

Claims

1. A method for storing table data, comprising:

receiving a set of one or more grid definition values for a table;

receiving a set of one or more cell content values for the table; and

storing at least a portion of the set of grid definition values in a grid definition portion of a table definition and at least a portion of the set of cell content values in a data source definition portion of the table definition.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of grid definition values includes one or more grid geometry values, one or more grid line style values, or both.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more grid geometry values comprise one or more of the following:

a number of rows, a number of columns, a number of hidden rows, a number of hidden columns, column widths for one or more columns, and row heights for one or more rows.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more grid line style values comprise one or more of the following:

grid line types for one or more grid lines or portions thereof, grid line thicknesses for one or more grid lines or portions thereof, and grid line colors for one or more grid lines or portions thereof.

5. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more grid line style values are included in a set of one or more style runs.

6. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the grid definition portion includes a style run for each of at least a subset of vertical and horizontal grid lines or portions thereof of the table.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of cell content values includes one or more data values, one or more cell-specific style values, or both.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a cell content value comprises a specific data value specified in the table definition.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a cell content value comprises a pointer to an external data value.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a set of one or more style sheets includes one or more style definitions.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the table definition includes one or more references to one or more style definitions in the set of one or more style sheets with respect to one or more components.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the table definition comprises a single XML element.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the grid definition portion comprises a first element and the data source definition portion comprises a second element.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the second element is a sub-element of the first element.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the table is associated with spreadsheet functionality.

16. A system for storing table data, comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive a set of one or more grid definition values for a table;

receive a set of one or more cell content values for the table; and

store at least a portion of the set of grid definition values in a grid definition portion of a table definition and at least a portion of the set of cell content values in a data source definition portion of the table definition; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.

17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the set of grid definition values includes one or more grid geometry values, one or more grid line style values, or both.

18. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the set of cell content values includes one or more data values, one or more cell-specific style values, or both.

19. A computer program product for storing table data, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

receiving a set of one or more grid definition values for a table;

receiving a set of one or more cell content values for the table; and

storing at least a portion of the set of grid definition values in a grid definition portion of a table definition and at least a portion of the set of cell content values in a data source definition portion of the table definition.

20. A computer program product as recited in claim 19, wherein the set of grid definition values includes one or more grid geometry values, one or more grid line style values, or both.

21. A computer program product as recited in claim 19, wherein the set of cell content values includes one or more data values, one or more cell-specific style values, or both.