Inactive Window Management via State Preservation and Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active windows on a computing device can clutter the virtual desktop and consume system resources, impairing operation efficiency, as users often leave applications open without interacting with them for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing inactive windows by determining inactive windows based on user interaction thresholds, storing state information, and terminating these windows and processes, allowing users to later restore them through a process management interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple applications are kept open to maintain working state, then user productivity is improved by avoiding re-opening applications, but system resources are consumed and virtual desktop becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the state parameter of inactive windows from 'open and running' to 'closed but restorable', allowing the application to be resumed later without maintaining continuous resource consumption. This parameter change enables the system to switch between maintaining application state and freeing resources based on activity status.
Solution Approach 2:
The window management system dynamically adjusts the lifecycle of windows based on their activity status. Active windows continue to run normally, while inactive windows are automatically closed after a threshold period, with the ability to be restored later. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt resource allocation based on actual usage patterns.
2Productivity
If multiple applications are kept open to maintain working state, then user productivity is improved by avoiding re-opening applications, but virtual desktop becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the spatial parameter of inactive windows by removing them from the virtual desktop display while preserving their restorability. This allows the desktop area to be freed up for active work while maintaining the ability to access previously open applications through the restoration interface.
3Quantity of substance
If inactive windows are terminated to free resources, then system resource consumption is reduced, but user ability to resume applications is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a restoration interface that copies or recreates the state of previously closed windows. When a user selects a closed window from the interface, the system reconstructs the application state, effectively copying the previous working environment without requiring the application to remain continuously open in memory.
4Ease of operation
If inactive windows are automatically closed, then desktop organization is improved, but user control over application lifecycle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary restoration interface between the user and the application lifecycle. Instead of directly terminating applications, the system uses this intermediate interface to manage closed windows, allowing users to selectively restore applications they need while maintaining automatic cleanup of truly inactive ones. This mediator preserves user control while enabling automated organization.
Data Source
AI summary
In a computer system, one or more windows displayed on a virtual desktop of a computing device are determined to be inactive. The one or more windows may correspond to one or more processes running on the computing device. In response to determining that the one or more windows are inactive, state information for the one or more corresponding processes is saved and the one or more windows and corresponding processes are terminated. The state information comprises information for restarting the one or more processes and regenerating the one or more windows in a state that existed at a point in time corresponding to the termination of the windows and processes. A user interface is provided for restoring the terminated windows based on the stored state information.