Background Task Execution Over Network Idle Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data network communication systems do not efficiently manage background task execution over networks, leading to suboptimal use of network resources and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that monitors network activity in client devices to detect idle time, signaling registered applications to execute background tasks over the data network, utilizing a daemon server to manage and coordinate this process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If background tasks are executed continuously over the network, then task completion is ensured, but network resources are wasted during active user periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground task executionVSAvoidnetwork resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring of network activity idle time, checking at intervals whether the network is available for background task execution. This periodic approach allows background tasks to run during idle periods while remaining dormant during active periods, resolving the contradiction between reliable task execution and network resource conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts background task execution based on real-time network conditions. By monitoring network activity and adapting task scheduling to current idle time detection, the system ensures tasks are executed when resources are available while preventing unnecessary network usage during active periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If background tasks are executed during network idle time, then network resource efficiency is improved, but task execution may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource efficiencyVSAvoidtask execution timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors network activity and provides feedback about idle time detection to the task scheduling mechanism. This feedback loop ensures that background tasks are promptly scheduled when network resources become available, minimizing delays while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary monitoring and detection of network idle time before initiating background task execution. By being ready to execute tasks as soon as idle conditions are detected, the system reduces overall task completion time while still leveraging idle network periods for execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If network activity is continuously monitored to detect idle time, then task scheduling accuracy is improved, but device processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask scheduling accuracyVSAvoiddevice processing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial monitoring by detecting specific idle time conditions rather than continuously analyzing all network traffic in detail. This approach provides sufficient accuracy for task scheduling decisions while significantly reducing the processing overhead and energy consumption associated with comprehensive network monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10904118B2Background task execution over a network

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 APPLE INC

AI summary

Network activity of a client device that is coupled to a data network is monitored, to detect network activity idle time. Based upon detecting the idle time, an application running in the client device is automatically signaled that its background task be executed over the data network. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.