Auto-save Manager for Clamshell Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clamshell mobile communication devices often inadvertently lose data and waste resources due to repeated opening and closing, leading to unintended data loss and redundant data entry operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an auto-save manager in wireless devices that detects open and close events, automatically saving data when the device is closed to prevent data loss and reduce resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device closes during data entry, then the device can be compactly stored, but data loss occurs and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when the device transitions to a closed state and automatically saving the current data entry before the user can inadvertently lose it. This preliminary save action prevents data loss and avoids the need for redundant data entry operations, thereby conserving processing resources and battery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the device automatically saves data on close, then data loss is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auto-save manager operates autonomously by monitoring device state transitions and automatically saving data when the device closes. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention to save data, preventing data loss without requiring complex user interface elements or manual save procedures, thus maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the device processes redundant data entry, then data can be re-entered, but time and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recoveryVSAvoidreentry time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying a notification on the secondary display when data has been automatically saved upon device closure. This feedback mechanism informs users that their data is preserved, eliminating the need for redundant data entry and saving both time and processing resources while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2197183B1System and method for saving data in response to open and close events in a mobile communication device
Publication Date: 2010.08.11 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2197183B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2197183B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2197183B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for automatically saving data in a wireless device is provided. The wireless device has a sensor connected to a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The sensor provides an open signal to the processor indicating an open event when the wireless device is opened and providing a close signal to the processor indicating a close event when the wireless device is closed. The method includes detecting occurrence of the close event while data is being entered in an application; saving the data in the memory; creating and saving a notification in the memory that the data is saved; linking the notification to the saved data; and displaying the saved notification on a primary display screen of the wireless device.