Inter-Application Data Transfer via Content Provider URI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient method for sharing information, including underlying data, between applications on a client device, particularly in a split screen mode, which limits user manipulation and integration of data across different applications.
Innovation Solution
The system enables users to drag and drop target information from a source application to a recipient application, transferring not only the visible information but also the underlying data, allowing manipulation and display in the recipient application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional information sharing methods between applications are used, then applications can exchange basic information, but underlying data cannot be transferred and user manipulation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (content provider with URI) that enables seamless transfer of underlying data between applications. The source application exposes its data through a content provider, and the recipient application accesses this data via a URI without requiring direct integration or complex data extraction processes, thus resolving the contradiction between complete information transfer and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data sharing interface that works across different application types and data formats. The content provider framework provides a standardized method for any application to share its underlying data with any other application, making the system universally applicable and eliminating the need for application-specific data transfer implementations.
2Productivity
If applications require users to select from lists or use intents for data sharing, then data can be transferred between applications, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of inter-application data transfer from the user interaction layer and places it in the system layer through content providers and URIs. Users simply drag and drop data without needing to understand or configure application intents, data formats, or integration mechanisms, thus improving productivity while reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring content providers in source applications and establishing URI-based access mechanisms before user interaction. This preparation eliminates the need for runtime complexity in data sharing, as the infrastructure is already in place to handle transfers efficiently when users initiate them.
3Adaptability or versatility
If split screen mode is used to display multiple applications, then users can access multiple applications simultaneously, but efficient data sharing between them is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where underlying data is transferred from the source application to the recipient application through the content provider URI. The recipient application can then work with copies of this data independently, enabling simultaneous multi-application access while maintaining complete data integration capability across all applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations generally relate to inter-application sharing. In some implementations, a method includes displaying a first user interface (UI) of a first application in a display screen of a client device, wherein the first UI presents information associated with a target project. The method further includes displaying a second UI of a second application in the display screen of the client device. The method further includes receiving a user indication to transfer the information associated with the target project from the first UI to the second UI. The method further includes accessing underlying data associated with the target project. The method further includes transferring the underlying data from the first application to the second application. The method further includes displaying the information associated with the target project in the second UI after the transferring.