Idle Time Service for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Background applications on computing devices, such as mobile phones and laptops, consume unnecessary energy and reduce battery life by running even when not interacted with by the user, as they are often inefficient and not directly valuable to the user experience.
Innovation Solution
An idle time service determines when a device is in an idle state by detecting lack of user input or identifying scheduled applications as background applications, and extends their execution duration by increasing the system timer tick or modifying the processor schedule to increase idle time, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If background applications are executed continuously, then application functionality is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic execution of background applications by extending their execution duration during idle periods rather than running them continuously. The processor schedule is modified to execute background applications at extended intervals when the device is idle, maintaining functionality while reducing power consumption during active usage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The execution duration of background applications is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts the execution duration based on device idle state detection, extending execution during idle periods and reducing or pausing execution during active periods, thereby adapting power consumption to actual usage conditions.
2Productivity
If background applications run frequently, then maintenance and communication activities are performed, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Maintenance and communication activities are performed periodically at extended intervals during idle periods rather than running frequently. The system detects idle states and schedules background application execution accordingly, ensuring maintenance tasks are completed while maximizing battery life during active usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously manages background application execution by detecting idle states and automatically extending execution duration without user intervention. The idle time service monitors device state and dynamically adjusts scheduling to balance maintenance needs with battery conservation.
3Reliability
If processor executes background applications, then system maintenance is performed, but idle time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
System maintenance is performed periodically during detected idle periods rather than continuously. The processor executes background applications at extended intervals when idle, preserving valuable idle time for battery conservation while ensuring maintenance tasks are completed systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs maintenance activities in advance during idle periods before they are critically needed. By detecting idle states and executing background applications proactively, the system prepares the device for future operation without requiring continuous processing.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of an idle time service, it can be determined that processing on a device is in an idle state. An execution duration of applications that are scheduled to be executed by a processor of the device can then be extended to reduce power consumption by the device. In other embodiments, it can be determined that an application configured to execute on a device is a background application. The execution duration of the background application can then be extended to reduce power consumption by the device.