Cross-Device Object Dragging Through Direct Drag-Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies do not efficiently facilitate the seamless dragging of objects, such as user interface elements, between multiple electronic devices used collaboratively, often requiring projection windows or additional software.

Innovation Solution

A cross-device object drag method and apparatus that allows direct dragging of objects between terminals by sending drag data from one device to another, enabling synchronized animation and display of the object across different terminals without the need for extended screens or additional software.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If projection windows or additional software are used to drag objects between terminals, then cross-device object dragging can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring auxiliary software and complex setup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drag data from the source terminal and transmits it independently to the target terminal, separating the drag function from complex projection window systems or additional software. This allows direct object dragging between terminals using only the operating system's native drag-and-drop capability, eliminating the need for auxiliary software and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the drag data (including object information and coordinate data) and transmits it to the target terminal. The target terminal then uses this copied data to render and display the dragged object, enabling cross-device dragging without requiring the original object to physically move or complex coordination software

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If terminals are used independently without collaboration features, then device complexity remains low, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to efficiently share objects between devices

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables terminals to perform multiple functions - both independent operation and collaborative object sharing - using the same basic drag-and-drop mechanism. The universal drag data transmission protocol allows terminals to function as either source or target devices, eliminating the need for specialized collaborative software and enabling productivity enhancement without significant complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces drag data as an intermediary that carries object information between terminals. This simple data structure acts as a mediator that enables collaboration without requiring complex communication protocols or additional software, allowing terminals to work together efficiently while maintaining low device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If drag animation is displayed on both source and target terminals during cross-device dragging, then ease of operation improves with smoother visual feedback, but use of energy increases due to rendering on multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays drag animation on both source and target terminals simultaneously, providing comprehensive visual feedback for a smoother user experience. While this does increase energy consumption compared to animation on a single device, the dual-animation approach significantly improves ease of operation by maintaining visual continuity and providing immediate feedback on both ends of the drag operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4177725B1Cross-device object dragging method and device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4177725B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)
  • EP4177725B1 patent drawingFigure 1(b)
  • EP4177725B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

This application provides a cross-device object drag method and a device, and relates to the field of electronic devices. This improves usage efficiency of collaborative use of a plurality of terminals, makes drag more direct and explicit, and improves user experience in drag. A specific solution is as follows: A first terminal displays an object on a display of the first terminal. The first terminal receives a drag operation entered by a user. The drag operation is used to initiate drag for the object. The first terminal displays, on the display of the first terminal in response to the drag operation, an animation in which the object moves with the drag operation. The first terminal sends drag data to a second terminal after determining that a drag intent of the user is cross-device drag. The drag data is used by the second terminal to display the object on a display of the second terminal.