Network Clipboard Data Transfer Across Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring data between electronic devices are cumbersome, requiring multiple clipboard transactions, email usage, physical connections, or additional hardware, and are not efficient or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A network clipboard system that allows data to be copied from a host device, transmitted via a network to a remote storage location, and then pasted onto a target device, with formatting and compatibility checks to ensure seamless transfer without the need for physical proximity or additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is transferred between devices using traditional methods (email, portable storage, physical connection), then data can be transferred between devices, but the process becomes complex, time-consuming, and requires additional hardware or multiple clipboard transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network clipboard as an intermediary service that mediates data transfer between host and target devices. Instead of direct device-to-device transfer requiring physical connections or multiple clipboard transactions, the network clipboard receives data from the host device clipboard, stores it remotely, and delivers it to the target device clipboard, simplifying the transfer process to a single copy-paste action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the clipboard functionality from a local device dimension to a network dimension. By storing clipboard data in a remote location accessible via network protocols, the system allows data to be transferred across different devices without requiring physical proximity or additional hardware, adding a network layer to the traditional local clipboard concept.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is transferred using email or portable storage devices, then data can be moved between devices, but additional hardware or software applications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The network clipboard service provides a universal data transfer mechanism that works across different device types, operating systems, and applications without requiring device-specific hardware like portable storage or device-specific software like email clients. The service handles various data formats and device combinations through a single unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical transfer methods (portable storage devices requiring physical connection and data copying) with an electronic network-based system. Data is transmitted electronically through the network clipboard service, eliminating the need for physical media and the manual process of connecting, copying, and disconnecting storage devices.
3Productivity
If data is copied and pasted multiple times across different devices and applications, then data can be transferred, but the number of clipboard transactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network clipboard performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing data from the host device clipboard before the user needs to paste it on the target device. This pre-positioning of data in the remote storage location allows the user to simply paste on the target device without needing to perform intermediate copy operations, effectively performing the transfer preparation in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The network clipboard maintains continuous availability of the copied data in its remote storage location, allowing the user to paste the data at any time on the target device without needing to re-copy or re-transfer. This continuous availability eliminates the need for repeated clipboard transactions and maintains the useful action of data access throughout the transfer process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media provide for the transfer of data between electronic devices utilizing a network clipboard. According to various embodiments described herein, a clipboard application residing on a host device associated with a user transmits data from a local clipboard of the host device to a remote network clipboard via a network. A clipboard application associated with a target device associated with the user transmits a request for the data stored on the network clipboard. A copy of the data associated with the user is retrieved from the network clipboard and stored on a local clipboard of the target device. The data is then copied to a target application. This process results from a single network clipboard transaction that includes a cut or copy action on the host device and a paste action on the target device.