Background Process Disk Access Control via Idle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer systems experience performance degradation due to disk-intensive background processes interfering with foreground processes, as they often share disk access, leading to increased task completion times and resource inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where background processes access computer resources for predetermined time periods, then inhibit access if the resource is in use, and periodically check for idle conditions using performance indicators like 'current disk queue length' to avoid conflicting with foreground processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If background processes are allowed to access disk resources continuously, then background tasks can complete faster, but foreground process performance deteriorates due to disk access conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground process completion speedVSAvoidforeground process speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling of disk activity at predetermined intervals. The background process checks whether the disk is currently being accessed by foreground processes at regular time intervals, and only accesses the disk when no foreground access is detected. This periodic checking mechanism allows the background process to make progress when resources are available while preventing conflicts with foreground processes, thereby resolving the contradiction between background process speed and foreground process performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If background processes run at idle priority, then system responsiveness is maintained, but disk-intensive background operations still interfere with foreground processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoidbackground process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the background process continuously monitors disk activity status and adjusts its behavior accordingly. By sampling disk access patterns and receiving feedback about current disk utilization, the background process can dynamically determine when to proceed with disk operations. This feedback-driven approach enables the system to maintain responsiveness (by yielding to foreground processes when needed) while improving background process efficiency (by executing disk-intensive tasks when disk bandwidth is available).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static idle priority scheduling into a dynamic resource allocation mechanism. Instead of always running at fixed idle priority, the background process dynamically adjusts its disk access behavior based on real-time disk activity conditions. When the disk is idle or lightly loaded, the background process can proceed with disk operations; when foreground processes are actively using the disk, the background process waits. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining system responsiveness and achieving background process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the system checks disk activity frequently, then foreground process performance is protected, but system overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeground process performance protectionVSAvoidsystem overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial monitoring by sampling disk activity at predetermined intervals rather than continuously monitoring every disk operation. This partial checking approach provides sufficient protection for foreground process performance (by detecting when disk resources are needed) while avoiding the excessive overhead of continuous monitoring. The sampling interval is tuned to balance between responsiveness to foreground needs and minimizing system overhead, implementing the principle of partial action to resolve the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7945914B2Methods and systems for performing operations in response to detecting a computer idle condition

Publication Date: 2011.05.17 X1 DISCOVERY

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention enable the efficient use of shared resources by different processes, such as background and foreground processes sharing a mass storage device. Thus, disk intensive operations, such as file indexing, do not unduly interfere with higher priority processes. In one embodiment, a first process is permitted to access a computer resource for a first predetermined time period. After the first predetermined time period has elapsed, the first process is inhibited from accessing the computer resource for a second predetermined time period. After the second predetermined time period has elapsed, a determination is made as to whether the computer resource is idle, wherein if the computer resource is not idle, the embodiment waits for a third predetermined time period and again determining if the computer resource is idle, and wherein if the computer resource is idle, the embodiment allows the first process to access the computer resource again.