Connected Device Activation via Automatic File Explorer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties accessing information stored on connected devices, such as USB drives, due to the need to navigate through multiple windows and menus in windowed graphical user interfaces, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies a connection between a user's device and a connected device, receives an indication of a user selection action, and performs an action such as displaying the connected device's contents on the user's device, using sensors and touch-sensitive regions to facilitate quick access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate through multiple windows and menus in windowed graphical user interfaces to access information on connected devices, then the system provides comprehensive data access capability, but the operation becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the connection of external devices and pre-opening the appropriate file explorer window before the user needs to access any files. This eliminates the need for users to manually navigate through menus and windows, directly reducing access time while maintaining comprehensive data access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality by automatically detecting external device connections and initiating the appropriate access interface without requiring user intervention. The system monitors connection events and autonomously opens file explorer windows, allowing users to immediately access their devices' contents without manual navigation through GUI elements.
2Productivity
If the system automatically detects and opens file explorer windows for connected devices, then access speed improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universality by using a single automated detection mechanism that handles multiple types of external devices (USB drives, external hard drives, network drives, etc.) through a unified connection monitoring approach. This multi-functional system opens appropriate file explorer windows for any connected device without requiring separate complex handling mechanisms for each device type, thus improving access speed while limiting the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: identifying, using a processor, a connection of a device to an information handling device; receiving, at the information handling device, an indication of a user selection action on the device; and performing, responsive to receiving the indication, an action on the information handling device. Other aspects are described and claimed.