Web Browser Plug-in Resource Management for Hidden Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Web browsers continue to consume computing resources even when plug-ins are running on hidden tabs or pages, as they are not effectively terminated or modified to conserve resources.
Innovation Solution
A web browser system that receives instructions to launch plug-ins, sends messages to these plug-ins indicating they are hidden, and modifies their operation to conserve resources, such as stopping video content while allowing audio to continue playing, or reducing quality/bandwidth, based on the plug-in's visibility and system power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plug-ins continue to run on hidden tabs to maintain content availability, then user experience is preserved, but computing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in runtime modifies its operation dynamically based on the visibility state of the associated web page. When a page becomes hidden, the runtime receives a notification and adjusts the plug-in's execution state accordingly, transitioning from full execution to a modified state that conserves resources while maintaining essential functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the plug-in based on visibility conditions. The runtime monitors the visibility state and modifies execution parameters such as rendering intensity, processing frequency, or resource allocation when the page is hidden, thereby reducing computing resource consumption while preserving the ability to resume full operation when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If plug-ins are terminated when hidden to save resources, then computing resources are conserved, but content availability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential functionality from the plug-in's full execution mode and maintains a modified, reduced-state operation when hidden. Rather than completely terminating the plug-in, the runtime separates the plug-in's operation into different states: full execution when visible and modified execution when hidden, thereby conserving resources while preserving content availability.
3Reliability
If plug-ins run at full capacity regardless of visibility, then content quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality levels to plug-in execution based on local conditions (visibility state). When a web page is hidden, the plug-in associated with that page transitions to a modified operation mode with reduced resource consumption. This local adaptation allows the system to maintain high content quality for visible pages while reducing power consumption for hidden pages.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include computer-executable instructions stored thereon. When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may be configured to cause a computing system to receive, by a web browser, a file from a web server, the file including an instruction to launch a plug-in of the browser, launch the plug-in in an active state based on the instruction, provide a message to the plug-in indicating that the plug-in is hidden and is not displayed as visible by the web browser, and modify running of the plug-in from the active state based on the message.