Short Code System for Cross-Device Content State Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face frustration and delays when trying to resume accessing content on a different device, as they often need to re-enter the URL and navigate back to the desired portion of the content, especially when switching between devices with different dimensions and graphical user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A short code system is implemented, where a first device generates a limited-character code representing the state of the content, which is stored and can be entered on a second device to resume access at the same point, using a network-based publisher system with client-server architecture and database storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user accesses content on a different device, then the user can continue accessing content from multiple devices, but the user must re-enter the URL and re-navigate to the desired portion of the content, resulting in frustration and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating and storing a short code that encodes the content state (URL and navigation position) before the user switches devices. When the user enters the short code on a new device, the system retrieves the pre-stored content state and automatically navigates to that position, eliminating the need for re-navigation and making cross-device access as convenient as single-device access.
2Loss of information
If the system stores and transfers detailed content state information, then the user can resume at the exact same position, but the code length increases requiring more characters to represent the state
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transferring the actual content state data (which would be lengthy), the system creates a compact copy or reference (the short code) that points to the stored content state. The short code serves as a succinct identifier that the server can use to retrieve the full content state information from its storage, thereby preserving complete content state while maintaining a very short transfer code.
3Reliability
If the system generates a unique code for each content state, then the user can accurately resume content, but the system complexity increases requiring database storage and code management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary server that manages the complexity of generating, storing, and translating short codes. The server maintains a database that maps short codes to full content state information (URLs and navigation positions). When a user enters a short code, the server acts as a mediator to retrieve the corresponding content state and provide it to the user's device, thereby ensuring accurate content resumption while shielding the user from the underlying system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and a system to transfer the state of web-based content between devices through use of a short code. An example method includes determining a state of content being accessed on a device. The method further includes assigning a short code to the state of the content. The short code may have a limited number of characters. The method may further include storing the short code and the state of the content. The method may further include providing the content according to the state of the content on a second device based on the short code.