Method and system for facilitating information exchange
First Claim
1. A system for facilitating information exchange, the system comprising:
- a server that has at least one database and that is in communication with a network, anda client computer,wherein the server is configured to;
receive a request from the client computer to retrieve at least one supporting document stored within the at least one database, wherein a collaborative group that includes a plurality of users is defined within the at least one database, wherein the collaborative group has access to a spreadsheet operatively associated with the at least one supporting document;
retrieve the at least one supporting document from the at least one database in response to receiving the request; and
provide the client computer with access to the at least one supporting document that is operatively associated with the spreadsheet such that the at least one supporting document is displayed along with the spreadsheet at the client computer;
wherein the client computer is configured to provide a screen view that is displayed separately from the spreadsheet; and
wherein the screen view conveys a submission status of the spreadsheet, provides information concerning a hyperlink to the at least one supporting document and provides a direct link to an email/message posting wizard.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for facilitating information exchange between individuals and entities interacting on a shared project are provided, and more particularly to a method and system for horizontal. i.e., non-hierarchical, participation in and/or contribution to a spreadsheet-based project. The method and system is Web-based and utilizes conventional browser and spreadsheet technology to achieve collaborative exchanges of information on an enterprise-wide basis. The method and system also facilitate efficacious remote information access and exchange, e.g., over a computer network such as the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, through a caching function that combines individual queries initiated by a spreadsheet program before transmitting across a network to a server for consideration.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for facilitating information exchange, the system comprising:
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a server that has at least one database and that is in communication with a network, and a client computer, wherein the server is configured to; receive a request from the client computer to retrieve at least one supporting document stored within the at least one database, wherein a collaborative group that includes a plurality of users is defined within the at least one database, wherein the collaborative group has access to a spreadsheet operatively associated with the at least one supporting document; retrieve the at least one supporting document from the at least one database in response to receiving the request; and provide the client computer with access to the at least one supporting document that is operatively associated with the spreadsheet such that the at least one supporting document is displayed along with the spreadsheet at the client computer; wherein the client computer is configured to provide a screen view that is displayed separately from the spreadsheet; and wherein the screen view conveys a submission status of the spreadsheet, provides information concerning a hyperlink to the at least one supporting document and provides a direct link to an email/message posting wizard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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8. A method for facilitating information exchange, the method comprising:
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receiving a request from a client computer to retrieve at least one supporting document stored within at least one database, wherein a collaborative group that includes a plurality of users is defined within the at least one database, wherein the collaborative group has access to a spreadsheet operatively associated with the at least one supporting document; retrieving the at least one supporting document from the at least one database in response to receiving the request; providing the user at the client computer with access to the at least one supporting document which is operatively associated with the spreadsheet such that the at least one supporting document is displayed along with the spreadsheet at the client computer; and providing the user at the client computer with a screen view that is displayed separately from the spreadsheet; wherein the screen view conveys a submission status of the spreadsheet, provides information concerning a hyperlink to the at least one supporting document and provides a direct link to an email/message posting wizard. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification