Appeal No. 2000-0357
Application 08/941,186
are visible and the row or column selected is the sort key. Therefore, argues appellant, MacGregor
does not teach sorting cells in a spreadsheet based on one or more hidden
sort keys. Appellant also argues that Stodghill is directed to data entry by a user into a database and
does disclose the use of a hidden object, a data object data attribute (doda), associated with a widget (
a widget being a subset of the display area into which data to be stored may be entered via the
keyboard) but that a hidden sort key, as claimed, is not disclosed by the combination of references.
Stodghill does disclose a hidden object. Column 3, lines 65-67, indicates that both “the doda
object 16 and the data object 22 are hidden from the user, who sees only the widget data on his CRT
display 10". However, unlike appellant’s hidden object, Stodghill’s hidden object appears to be used
only for data entry and retrieval functions of formatting and validation of entered data. The instant
invention is directed to hidden keys which are “sort” keys used in sorting table data.
Claim 1 calls for “a sort routine for rearranging table data based on one or more hidden sort
keys.” Claim 10 requires “selectively sorting said table data based on said hidden sort key.” Claim 12
merely calls for a method of authoring table data comprising the step of “associating a sort key with cell
data so that the sort key is not displayed.” Claim 14 is similar to claim 10 in reciting “selectively sorting
said table information based on said hidden sort key.” Claim 15 recites, “...to sort said table
information based on a hidden sort key.” Claim 16 brings in a network and a server wherein the server
stores table information and “at least some cells of said table information include a hidden sort key.”
Claims 17 and 18 are “computer program product” claims with claim 17 calling for “selectively sorting
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