Backup Component Captures User Interface Views via SPIs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data recovery systems face challenges in efficiently restoring previous versions of user interface views, particularly when users want to revert changes made to files, as the undo feature is limited to chronological reversals and may not function after saving and closing documents.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that include a backup component capable of capturing and restoring user interface views, using Service Provider Interfaces (SPIs) to communicate with applications, allowing users to select and restore earlier versions of application data, including format information for generating visual representations of previous states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional undo features are used to revert changes, then the user can reverse recent edits, but the user cannot restore previous versions after saving and closing documents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recovery capabilityVSAvoidrestoration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing and storing snapshots of the user interface view at different points in time before the user needs to restore data. These snapshots are saved in advance using SPIs, allowing the user to restore to any previous state without having to perform undo operations in reverse chronological order.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of the user interface view state at different timestamps and stores them separately. Instead of modifying the original data in place, the patent captures snapshots that are stored as separate copies, allowing the user to restore to any previous version without affecting the current state until restoration is explicitly chosen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If the system captures and stores multiple versions of user interface views, then the user can restore previous versions, but the system requires additional storage resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recovery capabilityVSAvoidstorage resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential state information of the user interface view that needs to be restored, rather than storing complete copies of all application data. By using SPIs to capture specific view states and format information, the patent reduces the amount of data stored while maintaining the ability to restore previous versions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the system integrates backup data into the application's user interface, then the user can efficiently restore previous versions, but the system requires complex communication interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration easeVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements Service Provider Interfaces (SPIs) that provide universal communication mechanisms between the backup component and the application. These SPIs handle multiple functions including capturing view states, storing snapshots, and restoring data, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized interfaces and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2372553B1Application-based backup-restore of electronic information
Publication Date: 2013.01.30 APPLE INC
  • EP2372553B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2372553B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2372553B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are provides for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a system is provided. The system includes a backup component, the backup component for capturing a state of a view of a user interface of an application as part of a backup operation and a first interface coupling the backup component and the application, the interface providing a communication link between the backup component and the application such that a backup user interface can display the captured state of the view. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, computer program products, and computer readable media.