Application Connectors for Context-Aware Content Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Content management systems typically require users to exit their application environment to access content management services, leading to poorly integrated and context-unaware access, which is not seamless or efficient.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of application connectors that provide context-aware access to managed content within rich application environments, such as word processing or CAD applications, by translating between application and content management system interfaces, recognizing environmental transitions, and emulating regional and personal settings to maintain a seamless user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users access content management services from within application environments, then integration and user experience are improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for application connectors and context-aware mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to content management servicesVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces application connectors as intermediary components that bridge the gap between rich client application environments and content management systems. These connectors translate between application-specific interfaces and content management system interfaces, enabling seamless access without requiring users to exit their application environment. The connectors handle context-aware translation while managing the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture is segmented into distinct functional layers: the rich client application environment, the application connector layer, and the content management system. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while enabling integrated functionality. The connector layer acts as a separate module that can be developed and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If context-aware access is implemented within application environments, then relevance and usability of content are improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontext awarenessVSAvoidprocessing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The application connectors perform preliminary actions by pre-translating and pre-processing context information from the application environment before actual content management operations are executed. This preliminary context analysis enables the system to filter and prepare only the relevant information needed for subsequent content management tasks, reducing overall processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality by providing context-aware access specifically at the application connector layer where it is most needed, rather than throughout the entire system. The connectors analyze and translate context information locally at the point of interaction between the application and content management system, minimizing unnecessary processing elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If seamless integration is achieved through application connectors, then productivity is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The application connectors are designed with universal functionality to work across multiple different rich client application environments. Rather than creating custom integration solutions for each application, the connectors provide multi-functional capabilities that can adapt to various application types, simplifying deployment and implementation while maintaining high productivity across different contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8725797B2Providing access to managed content in rich client application environments

Publication Date: 2014.05.13 OPEN TEXT CORP

AI summary

Providing access to managed content in rich client application environments is disclosed. A request is received from within a first application environment for access to managed content not managed primarily by a first application with which the first application environment is associated. Access is provided to managed content based at least in part on a context data associated with the first application environment.