Conditional Recurrent Schedule Management for Mobile Resource Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face limitations in resources such as memory, storage, and battery life, and existing systems lack efficient mechanisms to manage recurring actions that require increasing levels of these resources, leading to inefficiencies and potential resource starvation.

Innovation Solution

A scheduler service that manages conditional recurrent schedules based on event notifications, executing actions only when defined activation conditions are met, thereby optimizing resource usage and preventing frequent execution of schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If recurring actions are executed frequently to ensure timely processing, then productivity is improved, but resource consumption increases and device lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimely processing of recurring actionsVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing recurrent schedules that execute actions at defined intervals rather than continuously. The scheduler service monitors activation times and conditions, triggering actions only when the periodic interval is reached and conditions are met, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining timely processing of recurring tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by implementing condition monitoring mechanisms that continuously assess system state before executing recurring actions. The scheduler service evaluates activation conditions (such as device state, resource availability, or external events) before triggering scheduled actions, ensuring actions are executed only when appropriate, thus optimizing resource usage while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If resource usage is increased to handle multiple recurring actions, then productivity is improved, but device lifespan deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling of multiple recurring actionsVSAvoiddevice lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces device lifespan degradation by implementing periodic execution of recurring actions through a scheduler service. Instead of continuously consuming resources, actions are executed at defined intervals based on activation times and conditions, significantly reducing cumulative resource usage and extending device operational life while maintaining the ability to handle multiple recurring tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by executing only the necessary portion of recurring actions when conditions permit. The scheduler service evaluates activation conditions and may skip or delay certain actions if conditions are not met, rather than forcing execution. This approach maintains productivity for critical actions while reducing overall resource consumption to extend device lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If per-application notification mechanisms are used to trigger actions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific action triggeringVSAvoidnotification mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces device complexity by implementing a universal scheduler service that handles recurring actions for multiple applications through a single centralized mechanism. Instead of each application implementing its own notification and scheduling logic, the scheduler service provides a unified platform that manages activation times, conditions, and action execution for all applications, thereby maintaining adaptability while simplifying the overall system architecture.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary scheduler service that mediates between applications and the execution engine. The scheduler service receives scheduling parameters from applications, monitors system state, and triggers actions when conditions are met, acting as a buffer that simplifies application code while maintaining adaptability. Applications only need to define their recurring actions and conditions, leaving the complex scheduling and monitoring logic to the intermediary scheduler service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8166145B2Managing event-based conditional recurrent schedules
Publication Date: 2012.04.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US8166145B2 patent drawing
  • US8166145B2 patent drawing
  • US8166145B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Managing recurrent schedules based on events and conditions. Schedules from a plurality of applications are identified based on an activation time for the schedules and a determination of whether or not conditions defined for the schedules are met. The identified schedules are activated by performing actions associated with each of the identified schedules. In an embodiment, the schedules are grouped based on functionality and prioritized to avoid conflicts within each group.