Remote Content Input Without App Switching or Local Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face inefficiencies in capturing and inserting content, such as images or health data, from secondary devices like smartphones or tablets, requiring cumbersome processes that disrupt workflow and fail to leverage the processing power of all devices in a system.
Innovation Solution
A system allowing direct input of data or content from secondary devices to a primary device without local storage or application switching, using wireless communication to activate components like cameras or sensors on secondary devices for seamless integration into the primary device's applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If content is captured and inserted using existing processes involving local storage and application switching, then content can be transferred between devices, but workflow efficiency deteriorates and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication channels and preparing data transfer pathways between devices before content capture is needed. The primary device can proactively request capabilities from secondary devices, and data can be pre-staged in transfer-ready formats, eliminating the need for application switching and manual storage operations during the actual content creation workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication layer that directly connects the primary device with secondary devices. This intermediary system handles the data transfer protocol, capability negotiation, and coordinate between different device applications, allowing content to flow directly between devices without requiring the user to manually store, retrieve, and transfer files through intermediate storage locations.
2Power
If multiple devices are used for content creation, then processing capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal communication interface and standardized data protocol that works across different device types (smartphones, tablets, computers, wearables). The primary device can universally request and receive various types of content (images, text, sensor data) from any secondary device in the ecosystem, while the secondary devices can universally respond to capability requests regardless of their specific hardware. This multi-functionality allows processing power to be aggregated across devices without requiring device-specific integration complexity.
3Ease of operation
If direct input from remote devices is implemented, then workflow streamlining is achieved, but communication and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the primary device automatically manages the coordination complexity of direct input operations. When a user selects a secondary device for content capture, the primary device autonomously handles capability negotiation, activates the appropriate components on the secondary device, manages data transfer, and integrates the content into the application. This self-service approach shields the user from communication protocols and coordination details, making direct input as easy as traditional methods while still achieving workflow streamlining.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject technology provides a system of devices, at least one of which includes an application configured to receive data directly from another one of the devices. The application is configured to obtain a list of available devices and associated features and provide input options for display based on the list. When one of the input options is selected, the application activates a component and/or an application of the other device for generation of the desired data. When the desired data has been generated by the other device, the generated data is directly input from the other device into the running application, without storage of the generated data at the other device, and without operation of the same application on the other device.