Drag-and-Drop Local File Access in Remote Desktop Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In desktop virtualization environments, users face a cumbersome process when trying to open local files in remotely executed applications, involving multiple steps of file transfer and application selection.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves allowing users to drag-and-drop local file icons onto icons representing remotely executed applications or remote desktop environments, automatically initiating a session, transferring the file, and opening it in the selected application, with the option to transfer modified files back to the client device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually transfer local files to server and open them in remote applications, then file access is achieved, but user effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically initiating file transfer and application selection before the user completes the drag-and-drop gesture. The client device pre-processes the file transfer to the remote server and pre-selects the appropriate remote application based on file type, so that when the user releases the drag gesture, the file is already being opened in the correct application without requiring manual intervention for these steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the drag-and-drop operation itself to trigger and complete the entire file access workflow. The user's simple drag-and-drop action automatically initiates file transfer, application selection, and file opening without requiring separate manual steps. The system serves itself by detecting the drag operation and autonomously completing all necessary intermediate steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote desktop environments and applications are available, then versatility is improved, but user confusion and selection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The client device acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple remote desktop environments and applications. Instead of requiring users to manually navigate through multiple remote sessions and applications, the client device intercepts the drag-and-drop operation, automatically determines which remote application is appropriate for the file type, and initiates the file transfer to that specific application. This intermediary function shields users from the complexity of having multiple remote environments available.
3Ease of operation
If automatic file transfer is implemented, then user effort is reduced, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by transferring only the specific file that the user dragged and dropped, rather than transferring entire directories or unnecessary files. The automatic transfer is triggered only when a user initiates a drag-and-drop operation, so bandwidth is consumed only when needed and only for the minimum necessary data (the single file being accessed). This avoids excessive bandwidth consumption while still providing automatic transfer benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various approaches for using drag-and-drop to open local files remotely. In one approach, a client device renders a user interface including a first indicium corresponding to a local file of the client device and a second indicium corresponding to a remotely executed application. A drag-and-drop action of the first indicium relative to the second indicium is detected. Responsive to the drag-and-drop action, the remotely executed application opens a copy of the local file.