Application Termination Control via Priority List

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable terminals face memory storage shortages when multiple applications run in the background, leading to unintended termination of applications, which can waste battery power and disrupt user intent.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that allow users to control running applications based on a priority list, ensuring that background applications are terminated in a manner aligned with user intent, rather than following a default last-seen-first-killed algorithm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the system terminates background applications from earliest to latest regardless of user intent, then memory storage space is secured, but applications may be terminated even when supposed to be re-run by the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable memory spaceVSAvoidapplication termination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring application execution states and identifying candidates for termination before actual memory shortage occurs. It proactively manages application lifecycle by predicting which applications should be terminated based on user behavior patterns, thus preventing unintended terminations while ensuring memory availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring application execution states, user interactions, and memory usage. It uses this feedback to dynamically adjust termination decisions, learning from user behavior patterns to improve the accuracy of application termination predictions and avoid terminating applications that users intend to reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If third-party application is used to forcedly terminate running application, then application termination is achieved, but system is significantly overloaded and battery power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication termination controlVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by implementing an automated application termination management mechanism that operates without requiring third-party applications or manual user intervention. The system autonomously monitors application states, identifies termination candidates based on predefined criteria and user behavior patterns, and executes termination decisions, thereby eliminating the need for energy-intensive third-party tools while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are running in the background, then application functionality is enhanced, but memory storage shortage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidmemory storage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by implementing a flexible, adaptive application termination strategy that adjusts termination decisions based on real-time conditions. It dynamically evaluates application execution states, user behavior patterns, and memory availability to determine which applications should be terminated, allowing the system to maintain high application functionality while adaptively managing memory resources according to current system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3410299B1Electronic device for controlling application and operation method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3410299B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3410299B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3410299B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a memory for storing a list including information related to the termination of one or more first applications of a plurality of applications included in the electronic device; and a processor, wherein the processor executes one or more second applications of the plurality of applications, checks contextual information associated with the electronic device, and, if the contextual information satisfies a specified condition, determines whether to terminate at least one executed application of the one or more executed second applications.