Seamless editing and saving of online content items using applications

Abstract

A user viewing an online content item using an online content client application can, from within that application, launch an operating application to operate on the content item. The operating application can interact with the online content management provider to obtain a current copy of the content item and to save a modified content item back to the online content management service, e.g., if the user instructs the operating application to save the item. Interactions between the client application, the operating application and the online content management service can occur without requiring the user to manually initiate upload or download of any content items. Operations on an online content item can also be initiated from within an operating application.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 detecting an edit control request for a first content item stored in a first user account of a content management system;   in response to detecting the edit control request for the first content item, the content management system automatically transferring edit control for the first content item to an editing application separate from the content management system;   receiving a modification to the first content item from the editing application; and   storing at the content management system the modification to the first content item in the first user account.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the editing application is one of a text editor, word processor, presentation editing software, spreadsheet application, photo editing software, video editing software, or an application providing digital signature functionality. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transferring step includes the content management system providing item identifying information to the editing application and the editing application using the item identifying information to identify the first content item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the content management system provides the item identifying information in a URL and the editing application parses the URL to identify the first content item. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the content management system receives an API call from the editing application regarding the first content item, and the content management system provides the item identifying information in response to the API call. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the editing application returning edit control to the content management system, including information related to a modification to the first content item and the item identifying information; and 
 the content management system updating the content item using the modify instruction. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining that the editing application is included in security information maintained by the content management system, and 
 providing access to the editing application based on the determination. 
 
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 detecting an edit control request for a first content item stored in a user account of a client application associated with content management system on a mobile device;   in response to detecting the edit control request for the first content item, the client application associated with the content management system automatically transferring edit control for the first content item to an editing application separate from the client application associated with the content management system;   receiving a modification to the first content item from the editing application; and   storing by the application associated with the content management system the modification to the first content item in the user account.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the editing application is one of a text editor, word processor, presentation editing software, spreadsheet application, photo editing software, video editing software, or an application providing digital signature functionality. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the transferring step includes the client application associated with the content management system providing item identifying information to the editing application and the editing application using the item identifying information to identify the first content item. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the client application associated with the content management system further provides the first content item to the editing application. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 the editing application returning edit control to the client application associated with the content management system, including information related to a modification to the first content item and the item identifying information; and 
 the client application associated with the content management system updating the content item using the modify instruction. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 determining that editing application is included in security information maintained by the client application associated with the content management system, and 
 providing access to the editing application based on the determination. 
 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a processor; and   memory storing program code executable by the processor, the program code when executed by the processor performing the steps of:
 detecting an edit control request for a first content item stored in a first user account of a content management system; 
 in response to detecting the edit control request for the first content item, the content management system automatically transferring edit control for the first content item to an editing application separate from the content management system; 
 receiving a modification to the first content item from the editing application; and 
 storing at the content management system the modification to the first content item in the first user account. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the editing application is one of a text editor, word processor, presentation editing software, spreadsheet application, photo editing software, video editing software, or an application providing digital signature functionality. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the transferring step includes the content management system providing item identifying information to the editing application and the editing application using the item identifying information to identify the first content item. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the content management system provides the item identifying information in a URL and the editing application parses the URL to identify the first content item. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the content management system receives an API call from the editing application regarding the first content item, and the content management system provides the item identifying information in response to the API call. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , the memory performing the further steps of:
 the editing application returning edit control to the content management system, including information related to a modification to the first content item and the item identifying information; and   the content management system updating the content item using the modify instruction.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , the memory performing the further steps of:
 determining that editing application is included in security information maintained by the content management system, and   providing access to the editing application based on the determination.