Information Processor Data Transfer Across Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems face challenges in smoothly transferring data between applications without losing existing data or causing errors due to repeated activation of applications, especially when using add-in programs.
Innovation Solution
An information processor with a display screen, acquisition device, activation command input device, activation control device, determining device, and data addition device that checks if a second application is already activated, allowing data to be added without reactivating it, and sets activation modes for print image display or edit modes to maintain task continuity and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an add-in program activates a second application to input data, then data transfer between applications is enabled, but existing data in the second application may be lost or overwritten
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection to check whether the second application is already activated before attempting data input. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of overwriting existing data by avoiding redundant activation and input operations on already-active applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting the current state of the second application (activated or not) and adjusting the data input operation accordingly. If the application is already activated, the system skips reactivation and direct input; if not, it activates first then inputs data, ensuring data integrity in both scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If an add-in program always activates the second application newly, then data input function is simplified, but operator's previous work may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects whether the second application is already activated and uses this feedback information to determine the appropriate action. This feedback mechanism prevents information loss by avoiding unnecessary reactivation that would clear existing data, while still maintaining simple automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the application's activation state before executing the data input operation. This preliminary action ensures that the simplified automated process does not inadvertently lose accumulated data by skipping the reactivation step when unnecessary.
3Ease of operation
If copy and paste functions are used for data transfer, then ease of use is improved, but performance deteriorates with large data volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the add-in program with direct data transfer capability) that bypasses the traditional copy-paste process. This intermediary enables efficient direct data transfer between applications, maintaining ease of use while significantly improving performance with large data volumes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Data input processing is initiated when an ADD-IN button (250) is pressed in a condition where a data cell of a spreadsheet application (200) is selected. Whether an editor (100) is already activated is determined and, if such is the case, a current mode of the currently activated editor is detected and, if it is activated in an edit mode and an activation mode set in activation setting processing is the edit mode, acquired data is added to the currently activated editor and put in a selected state and displayed on an edit screen.