Application State Management for Resource-Constrained Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face long waiting times when multiple applications are launched simultaneously, as existing technologies do not efficiently manage computational resources, leading to depletion and requiring lengthy restarts of applications with longer start-up times.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that determines the shift time length for each application from a non-usable to a usable state, allowing for strategic shutdown of applications with shorter start-up times to conserve resources and reduce waiting times, incorporating a determination unit and control unit to manage application states based on start-up and network access times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are launched simultaneously, then application availability is improved, but computational resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication availabilityVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts application states between usable and non-usable based on real-time computational resource conditions. The determination unit continuously monitors resource availability and automatically transitions applications between states, making the system adaptive to changing resource conditions rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state parameter of applications from usable to non-usable when computational resources are insufficient. This parameter change allows the same application to exist in different states, enabling resource conservation while maintaining application integrity for future use when resources become available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If an application is shut down to release computational resources, then resource availability is improved, but restart time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational resourcesVSAvoidrestart time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of application restart times before shutting down applications. The determination unit calculates and compares restart time requirements, selecting applications with shorter restart times for shutdown. This preliminary action ensures that when resources need to be released, the system chooses the optimal application to shutdown based on pre-evaluated restart characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines and executes application shutdown decisions without user intervention. The determination unit self-evaluates which applications to shutdown based on computational resource conditions and restart time characteristics, and the control unit automatically implements the state transition, making the resource management self-service oriented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If applications with longer start-up times are kept running, then user waiting time is reduced, but computational resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser waiting timeVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where the determination unit continuously monitors computational resource usage and application performance. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts application states, shutting down applications when resources are constrained and restarting them when resources become available, creating a responsive resource management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically manages application lifecycles based on real-time conditions. Applications transition between usable and non-usable states dynamically rather than remaining static, allowing the system to optimize between user waiting time and resource consumption by adapting to changing operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9891948B2Information processing to shut down application based on start-up time and network access time

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a determination unit configured to determine, for each application, shift time length for each state shift while an application changes from a non-usable state to a usable state, and a control unit configured to shift a state of an application to the non-usable state, the application being specified on the basis of a result of the determination by the determination unit.