Application File Association Management for Terminal Device Cleanup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accumulation of junk files on terminal devices due to uninstalled applications can impact the normal operating speed and processing capacity, and users may inadvertently delete critical files, leading to irreparable consequences.

Innovation Solution

A method for application management that involves acquiring an application-file association list from a server by monitoring and recording application and file operation behaviors, allowing for the secure deletion of files associated with applications and maintaining system tidiness without manual user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If users manually delete files to clean the file system, then storage space is freed, but critical system files may be accidentally deleted causing irreparable consequences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a file tracking module and server that mediates between users and the file system. This intermediary automatically tracks which applications create which files, allowing users to safely delete application files without risking critical system files. The tracking module acts as a buffer that provides information about file ownership and dependencies, enabling informed deletion decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring file system changes and maintaining a database of application-file relationships. When users attempt to delete files, the system provides feedback about which application created the file and whether it is safe to delete. This feedback loop prevents accidental deletion of critical files while enabling effective cleanup of junk files.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of stationary object

If applications are left running to maintain functionality, then service continuity is ensured, but junk files accumulate impacting operating speed and processing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidoperating speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively tracking and recording which applications create which files before the applications are uninstalled. The file tracking module continuously monitors file system operations and stores this information in advance, so when cleanup is needed, the system already has the information required to identify and remove junk files associated with uninstalled applications, maintaining operating speed without service interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive file tracking is implemented to identify application files, then junk file identification improves, but system complexity and technical costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file tracking functionality into separate, independent modules: a file tracking module that monitors file operations, a database component that stores application-file relationships, and a cleanup module that removes junk files. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring the entire system to be complex, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high file identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2985694B1Application program management method and terminal device
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 XIAOMI INC
  • EP2985694B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2985694B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2985694B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention belongs to the field of a terminal device. Disclosed are an application program management method and apparatus, a server, and a terminal device. The method comprises: obtaining an application program and file association list, the application program and file association list being obtained through statistics by the server according to application program information of an application program reported by the terminal device and a file operation behavior that the application program invokes a system read and write interface to execute; and managing the application program according to the application program and file association list. In the present invention, the application program and file association list is obtained from the server, an application program and a file associated with the application program that are indicated in the list are used, so that when the application program is managed, the file associated with the application program is managed at the same time, thereby reducing requirements for technical costs of a terminal device user, avoiding that accumulation of useless files influences a normal running speed and processing capability of the terminal device, and ensuring startup and normal running of the terminal device.