Embedded Web Server for Seamless Browser-Desktop File Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enterprise computing environments, users face a cumbersome process when editing files managed by backend systems, requiring download, editing in proprietary tools, and uploading, which is inefficient and challenging for non-technical users. Additionally, standard browser applications cannot directly communicate with local client applications for security reasons, necessitating cumbersome plug-in installations.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves embedding a web server within a desktop client application, allowing a web application running in a browser to communicate with the desktop application locally without requiring browser-specific plug-ins. This is achieved through passive content requests and API calls, enabling seamless file editing and upload processes without compromising security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard browser applications are used to access backend systems, then ease of operation is improved, but direct communication with local client applications is blocked due to security measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local web server embedded within the desktop client application as an intermediary component. This embedded server receives requests from the browser-based web application and forwards them to the backend system, enabling communication between the browser and local client without requiring browser plugins or extensions. The intermediary resolves the security conflict by maintaining browser sandbox isolation while enabling necessary communication through a controlled local server interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If browser-specific plug-ins are installed to enable communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and installation burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the web server functionality from the traditional client application and embeds it as a separate, lightweight component within the desktop application. This embedded web server can be dynamically activated only when needed for communication, rather than requiring permanent installation of browser plugins. The extraction and embedding approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining communication capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cumbersome download-edit-upload process is used, then compatibility with proprietary file formats is maintained, but productivity and user efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the web application interface with the local desktop client functionality through the embedded web server. Users can access and edit files directly through the browser-based web application while the embedded server handles local processing and proprietary format requirements. This combination eliminates the need for separate download and upload steps, allowing users to work with files in-place while maintaining compatibility with proprietary formats through the integrated architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a web-based editing tool that intelligently leverages certain functionality of a browser, web client, desktop client, and native software at the client side to provide seamless user experience when editing a file over a network. Responsive to a user selecting a file for editing, the web client may send a passive content request to a web server embedded in the desktop client at a specific address on the client device. If no response, the web client prompts the user to start or install the desktop client on the client device. If a response is received, the web client sends a request to the desktop client with a user identifier and authorization to download the file from a server. The desktop client downloads the file, opens it in the native software, monitors the file being edited, and updates a delta associated with the file to the server.