Using text messages to interact with spreadsheets
First Claim
1. A method for associating text messages to a spreadsheet stored on a first computing device, comprising:
- receiving a text message from a second computing device directed to a text address associated with at least one spreadsheet object within the spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises one or more spreadsheet objects, wherein the text message comprises one of;
an instant message (IM), a short message service (SMS) message, an enhanced messaging service (EMS) message, and a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, wherein the text address is a number, and wherein the text message is not associated with a spreadsheet stored on the second computing device;
parsing the text message received from the second computing device to determine the at least one spreadsheet object of the one or more spreadsheet objects associated with the text message, wherein determining the at least one spreadsheet object is based at least in part on the text address;
determining an operation to perform in the spreadsheet from the text message; and
performing the operation in the spreadsheet, wherein the operation comprises accessing the associated at least one spreadsheet object.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Text messages are used to interact with objects in a spreadsheet. For example, text messages may be used to enter/receive data in the spreadsheet. One or more text messages may be associated with a spreadsheet. Text messages may be associated with cells, tables, charts and other objects of the spreadsheet. When the spreadsheet receives a text message, the text message is parsed and information that is contained within the text message is used to interact with one or more objects within the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet may also generate and send text messages that provide information about the spreadsheet and/or request information to be entered within the spreadsheet. For example, the spreadsheet may send out an update of one or more values/objects within a spreadsheet and/or send a request within a text message requesting information to update a table.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for associating text messages to a spreadsheet stored on a first computing device, comprising:
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receiving a text message from a second computing device directed to a text address associated with at least one spreadsheet object within the spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises one or more spreadsheet objects, wherein the text message comprises one of;
an instant message (IM), a short message service (SMS) message, an enhanced messaging service (EMS) message, and a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, wherein the text address is a number, and wherein the text message is not associated with a spreadsheet stored on the second computing device;parsing the text message received from the second computing device to determine the at least one spreadsheet object of the one or more spreadsheet objects associated with the text message, wherein determining the at least one spreadsheet object is based at least in part on the text address; determining an operation to perform in the spreadsheet from the text message; and performing the operation in the spreadsheet, wherein the operation comprises accessing the associated at least one spreadsheet object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A first computing device comprising a processing unit and a memory storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processing unit perform a method for associating a text message to a spreadsheet, comprising:
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generating a spreadsheet text message requesting information that relates to one or more spreadsheet objects that are contained within the spreadsheet; sending the spreadsheet text message to at least one address using a spreadsheet application; receiving a text message from a second computing device as a reply to the spreadsheet text message, wherein the text message comprises one of;
an instant message (IM), a short message service (SMS) message, an enhanced messaging service (EMS) message, and a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, wherein the text message is directed to a text address associated with at least one spreadsheet object within the spreadsheet and comprises a response to the requested information, wherein the text address is a number, wherein the text message is not associated with a spreadsheet stored on the second computing device, and wherein the second computing device is associated with the at least one address;parsing the text message to determine the at least one spreadsheet object of the one or more spreadsheet objects associated with the text message, wherein determining the at least one spreadsheet object is based at least in part on the text address; determining an operation to perform in the spreadsheet; and performing the operation in the spreadsheet, wherein the operation comprises using the requested information that is contained within the received text message. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A first computer system for associating a message to a spreadsheet, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU), and a computer-readable storage device; an operating environment stored on the computer-readable storage device and executing on the CPU; a spreadsheet application; a spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises one or more spreadsheet objects; a message manager operating in conjunction with the spreadsheet application that is configured to perform actions comprising; receive a text message from a second computer system addressed to a text address associated with a spreadsheet object of the spreadsheet, wherein the text message comprises one of;
an instant message (IM), a short message service (SMS) message, an enhanced messaging service (EMS) message, and a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, wherein the text address is a number, wherein the text message is not associated with a spreadsheet stored on the second computer system;parse the text message received from the second computer system to determine the spreadsheet object within the spreadsheet that is associated with the text message, wherein determining the spreadsheet object is based on the text address; determine an operation to perform in the spreadsheet, wherein the operation comprises at least one of;
adding, deleting, updating, retrieving, providing a parameter for a function, creating a function, starting a function, and accessing data specified by a parameter in the text message;perform the operation in the spreadsheet, wherein the operation comprises accessing the associated spreadsheet object; and automatically generate a spreadsheet message and send the spreadsheet message to one or more text addressees. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification