Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for enabling a spreadsheet program with formula support on small devices (like PDAs) while minimizing the amount of memory space used by the program and the accompanying compiled code during transfer of files from the desktop to the small devices. The user can download a spreadsheet file from the desktop to the small device via a conduit. A conduit is any 2-way communication device which connects a desktop to a small device and allows the transfer of data. Conduit software can convert the data to be transferred into a format understandable by both the desktop and PDA programs. The conduit software can also evaluate and parse the formulas and functions needed by the current file before the transfer and generate compiled code for the functions needed by the current file before transfer.

Abstract: Methods and Systems in accordance with the present invention provide a file format for storing spreadsheets compactly on PDAs. PDAs only contain a limited amount of computer memory due to their small size and processing ability. To reduce memory constraints caused by PDA spreadsheet applications, the present invention reduces memory allocated for file storage by optimizing the compression of individual spreadsheet files within a database record storage system. This method and system in accordance with the present invention uses a collection of records to represent a spreadsheet file.

Abstract: A generic conversion framework that allows developers to develop custom plug-in conversion algorithms and/or merge algorithms (referred to as pluggable modules). In one embodiment, document merging may be split into two processes including a document differencing process and a document merging process. The converter, differencing and merger processes may be implemented as separate pluggable modules, allowing multiple, independent passes of implementations of the differencing process and the merge process. The framework may accept document converter plug-in modules, merger plug-in modules and/or differencing plug-in modules to be added, updated or replaced as needed. In one embodiment, the modules may be plugged into the framework dynamically at runtime. In one embodiment, a plug-in module of one type may be used with two or more different modules of another type.

Abstract: Converting document formatted for use on servers to and from documents formatted for use on small devices, including synchronizing two or more versions of the document. A user may edit documents formatted for use on small devices and the documents may be synchronized with documents on the server to keep the documents up to date. In one embodiment, an n-way merge process may restore document formatting, styles and/or data features that may have been lost from one or more documents when converting from an office format to a small device format. In one embodiment, the server may provide an office productivity environment, and the documents on the server may be office documents.

Abstract: Converting a document in a small device format and merging the converted document with an original version of the document in an office productivity format. A document on a server may be converted to a small device format. Some information may be dropped from the document during conversion. The converted document may be transferred to a small device for editing. The edited document may be transferred back to the server for synchronization with the original document. After transferal, the edited document may be converted back to the original document format on the server and analyzed to determine differences between the edited document and the original document. The determined differences may be applied to the original document to merge the small device document with the original document. Information that was lost during the original conversion of the document may be restored to the merged document during the conversion/merge process.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for calibrating emulated device performance to reflect target device performance. In an exemplary method for calibrating emulated device performance, the method comprises generating a measurement of at least one parameter associated with the performance of the target device and the emulated device, determining an adjustment value for the emulated device associated with each parameter, and integrating each adjustment value into the emulated device to reflect the performance of the target device.

Abstract: A generic conversion framework that allows developers to develop custom plug-in conversion algorithms and/or merge algorithms (referred to as pluggable modules). In one embodiment, document merging may be split into two processes including a document differencing process and a document merging process. The converter, differencing and merger processes may be implemented as separate pluggable modules, allowing multiple, independent passes of implementations of the differencing process and the merge process. The framework may accept document converter plug-in modules, merger plug-in modules and/or differencing plug-in modules to be added, updated or replaced as needed. In one embodiment, the modules may be plugged into the framework dynamically at runtime. In one embodiment, a plug-in module of one type may be used with two or more different modules of another type.

Abstract: Converting document formatted for use on servers to and from documents formatted for use on small devices, including synchronizing two or more versions of the document. A user may edit documents formatted for use on small devices and the documents may be synchronized with documents on the server to keep the documents up to date. In one embodiment, an n-way merge process may restore document formatting, styles and/or data features that may have been lost from one or more documents when converting from an office format to a small device format. In one embodiment, the server may provide an office productivity environment, and the documents on the server may be office documents.

Abstract: Converting a document in a small device format and merging the converted document with an original version of the document in an office productivity format. A document on a server may be converted to a small device format. Some information may be dropped from the document during conversion. The converted document may be transferred to a small device for editing. The edited document may be transferred back to the server for synchronization with the original document. After transferal, the edited document may be converted back to the original document format on the server and analyzed to determine differences between the edited document and the original document. The determined differences may be applied to the original document to merge the small device document with the original document. Information that was lost during the original conversion of the document may be restored to the merged document during the conversion/merge process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for entry and editing of spreadsheet formulas. In one embodiment, a user is able to complete editing a formula by selecting another cell. If the user selects another cell while editing a formula, it is determined whether entering a reference to the cell at that point in the formula is appropriate. If entering a reference to the cell at that point in the formula is inappropriate, formula editing is terminated and the selected cell becomes the active cell. In one embodiment, a formula toolbar is displayed when a formula is edited. A user selects buttons on the formula toolbar to insert operators or functions into the formula. In one embodiment, a spreadsheet is displayed on a touch sensitive display. Formulas are edited using the touch sensitive display. In one embodiment, the touch sensitive display is the display of a PDA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling a spreadsheet program with formula support on small devices (like PDAs) while minimizing the amount of memory space used by not only the program, but also by the accompanying compiled code during transfer of files from the desktop to the small devices. The present invention allows the user to download a spreadsheet file from the desktop to the small device via a conduit. A conduit is any 2-way communication device which connects a desktop to a small device and allows the transfer of data. Since the operating system of the desktop and small device, like a PDA, are different, the present invention allows the conduit software to convert the data to be transferred in a format understandable by the respective programs of both the desktop and PDA. The present invention also allows the conduit software to evaluate and parse the formulas and functions needed by the current file before the transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a file format for storing spreadsheets compactly on PDAs. PDAs only contain a limited amount of computer memory due to their small size and processing ability. To reduce memory constraints caused by PDA spreadsheet applications, the present invention focuses on reducing memory allocated for file storage. This is accomplished by optimizing the compression of individual spreadsheet files within a database record storage system. This method and apparatus of the present invention reduces the overall storage of spreadsheets within a spreadsheet program. The invention uses a collection of records to represent a spreadsheet file. In one embodiment, the invention stores spreadsheet file data in a first record. A second record stores access data of the spreadsheet file and cell data is stored on third or more records. The property data includes name, version, date information, and default cell format information of the spreadsheet file.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for rich text document storage on small devices. One embodiment provides a compact word processing document format. The document format allows viewing and editing of a document on PDAs. In one embodiment, the document format also includes style information. In another embodiment, the document format handles multi-byte characters. Yet another embodiment is designed to utilize a record-based storage system. One embodiment stores two style galleries in one record of a document. One style gallery represents style information for paragraphs. The other style gallery represents style information for smaller text runs (where a run is sequence of text of one style). The rest of the document stores the text of the document and information about applying styles from the galleries to the text. Documents in standard word processing formats are converted to the document format of the embodiment with little or no loss in stylistic information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dynamic function loading in spreadsheets on small devices. In one or more embodiments, the present invention allows users to dynamically change the composition of a spreadsheet application by including only the functions they need or desire. This streamlining operation optimizes the limited amount of memory that is so critical to the operating speed and performance of PDAs. According to one embodiment, the present invention dynamically customizes and updates functions of spreadsheet applications. In another embodiment, the present invention presents users with an interface. Using the interface, users can immediately view a list of all the available functions and features. Then users can select and update which functions and features they need for a particular assignment to install into their PDAs. Consequently, the invention optimizes critical PDA memory by providing users with the capability of customizing their spreadsheet applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides change tracking integrated into disconnected device document synchronization. In one embodiment of the present invention, changes made on the disconnected device are tracked, for instance by the use of change tracking mechanisms that either exist in the companion disconnected device software or are added in addition to the disconnected device software. When the document is transferred back to a general purpose computer, the tracked changes are transferred back as well. In this way, the document, when it is edited on the general purpose computer will reveal exactly what changes were made while the document was on the disconnected device.