Dynamic Memory Resource Management Hierarchy for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of applications running on mobile devices increases, resource contention for CPU and memory resources leads to user interface glitches, sluggish performance, and potential device locking, as existing resource management mechanisms are not sufficiently flexible to handle varying resource demands, especially when applications require temporary large memory allocations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchy of resource management techniques with dynamic resource policies, including memory pressure notifications, preemptive memory freeing, and selective termination of applications based on their states and memory consumption, to manage resource allocation efficiently and prevent device overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed portion of device resources is assigned to each application, then resource allocation is simple and predictable, but the system lacks flexibility to handle temporary large memory demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation by transitioning from fixed resource portions to a system that continuously monitors memory usage and adjusts allocations in real-time. The memory manager dynamically determines which applications to terminate or notify based on current system state, enabling the system to adapt to varying resource demands while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
2Reliability
If memory is allocated to all running applications, then each application can function normally, but the device may become sluggish or lock up when resources are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively monitoring memory usage trends and identifying applications that may cause resource exhaustion before it occurs. The system preemptively terminates or notifies applications about impending memory constraints, preventing device instability while maintaining productivity of critical applications. This early intervention approach allows the system to prepare for resource constraints before they manifest as performance degradation or device locking.
3Quantity of substance
If the system terminates applications when memory is low, then available memory increases, but user experience deteriorates due to application loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the memory manager continuously monitors both system memory status and application behavior patterns. This feedback loop enables intelligent decision-making about which applications to terminate or notify, balancing memory recovery needs with user experience considerations. The system learns from application memory consumption patterns and user interaction data to make informed decisions that optimize both available memory and user satisfaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of a device for resource management by using a hierarchy of resource management techniques with dynamic resource policies is described. The device terminates several misbehaving application programs when available memory on the device is running low. Each of those misbehaving application programs consumes more memory space than a memory consumption limit assigned to the application program. If available memory on the device is still low after terminating those misbehaving application programs, the device further sends memory pressure notifications to all application programs. If available memory on the device is still running low after sending the memory pressure notifications, the device further terminates background, idle, and suspended application programs. The device further terminates foreground application programs when available memory on the device is still low after terminating the background, idle, and suspended application programs.