Automatic Application State Synchronization Across Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for backing up and restoring application states across multiple devices are tedious and require user intervention, limiting their applicability to only game applications specifically designed for game saving functionalities.
Innovation Solution
An automatic mechanism for backing up and restoring application states across multiple devices using cloud storage, where the operating system determines backup events and transparently synchronizes application state data between devices without user intervention, enabling any computer application to utilize this functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual backup and restore processes are used for application states, then users can preserve application progress across devices, but the process becomes tedious and requires multiple user interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic backup actions before the user needs to switch devices. The backup agent continuously monitors application states and proactively saves them to the remote server, so when the user wants to switch devices, the data is already prepared and available for immediate restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup and restore process operates autonomously without requiring user intervention. The backup agent automatically detects when to backup, transfers data to the server, and the receiving device automatically restores the application state, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual user actions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual backup processes are implemented, then application state can be transferred between devices, but the system becomes limited to game applications with specific saving functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The backup agent is designed as a universal component that can handle any application state data, not just game saves. It interfaces with the operating system at a lower level to capture state information from any running application, making the system applicable to word processors, media players, and other applications beyond games.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup agent acts as an intermediary layer between the application and the user/device. Instead of requiring application-specific save functionality, the agent mediates the backup process by automatically capturing application states through the operating system, enabling cross-application support without modifying individual applications.
3Ease of operation
If automatic background backup is implemented, then user experience is improved with transparent synchronization, but system resources and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring that would consume constant energy, the backup agent uses periodic action by triggering backups only at specific events such as application closure, device idle periods, or network availability. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining the transparency of automatic backup for users.
Data Source
AI summary
Some examples of application state synchronization may include receiving, at a server, application state data from an electronic device. For instance, the application state data may represent an application state of a computer application running at the electronic device when a backup event occurs. An analysis may be performed based on at least one of a user profile or a usage pattern. A set of electronic devices may be identified based on the analysis. Further, the application state data may be transmitted to the set of electronic devices.