Computerized spreadsheet with auto-calculator
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for operating a computer application with spreadsheet functionality, comprising the following steps:
- displaying a graphical user interface window having a plurality of cells operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality and at least one data display region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality;
enabling selection of one or more of the plurality of cells;
automatically computing an operator-defined function, based solely on the selected cells as inputs, to produce a result as the cells are being selected without entering the function into a non-selected cell; and
immediately displaying the result in the at least one region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized spreadsheet automatically calculates a function using a set of selected cells as the cells are selected and immediately displays the result in real-time, without requiring entry of a function into a cell to perform the calculations. The computerized spreadsheet has multiple cells which are selectable by an indicator, such as a pointer or highlight bar. As the author selects one or more cells, an auto-calculator automatically calculates a preset function using the one or more selected cells and displays the result. For example, suppose the function is to sum all the values in a group of cells. As the author selects the cells within the group, the auto-calculator quickly computes the sum of the presently selected cells and displays the result. If the author changes the selection, the calculation is continuously updated and displayed in real-time. In this manner, the author can view intermediate calculations without having to write or embed a formula for them within the spreadsheet.
109 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for operating a computer application with spreadsheet functionality, comprising the following steps:
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displaying a graphical user interface window having a plurality of cells operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality and at least one data display region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality; enabling selection of one or more of the plurality of cells; automatically computing an operator-defined function, based solely on the selected cells as inputs, to produce a result as the cells are being selected without entering the function into a non-selected cell; and immediately displaying the result in the at least one region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A storage medium having executable instructions comprising:
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instructions to form a graphical user interface window having a plurality of cells operatively associated with a spreadsheet functionality and at least one data display region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality; indicator instructions to select a set of one or more of the plurality of cells; auto-calculator instructions to automatically calculate an operator-defined function in which the set of cells selected by the indicator are sole inputs and to produce a result as the set of cells is being selected by the indicator; and interface instructions to immediately display the result computed by the auto-calculator as the set of cells is being selected in the at least one data display region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer comprising:
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a memory; a processor; a display; an application stored in memory and executable on the processor, the application presenting on the display a graphical user interface having a plurality of selectable cells operatively associated with a spreadsheet functionality and at least one data display region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality; the application being configured to automatically calculate an operator-defined function based solely on one or more selected cells as inputs to produce a result and to immediately display the result in the at least one data display region not operatively associated with the spreadsheet functionality as those cells arc selected. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification