Virtual Memory Freezer File for Mobile Application State Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile and handheld devices lack a traditional backing store or swap file, leading to the loss of application state and termination when additional memory is required, as unused virtual memory regions are discarded without a mechanism to preserve modifications.
Innovation Solution
A virtual memory system that compacts and stores memory into a compressed 'freezer file' to preserve application state, allowing for partial deactivation of processes and release of physical memory while maintaining virtual memory allocations, enabling efficient management of memory resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional virtual memory swapping is used to free process memory, then memory capacity is improved, but application state is lost and application termination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a freezer file as an intermediary storage mechanism between volatile process memory and permanent storage. This freezer file acts as a mediator that temporarily holds application state data in a compressed format, allowing the system to free process memory while preserving application state through a intermediate buffer zone rather than direct discard or traditional swap file
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of stored data by compressing application memory into a compacted format in the freezer file. This parameter change from uncompressed to compressed state reduces the storage footprint significantly, enabling preservation of application state with minimal storage overhead while allowing process memory to be freed
2Ease of operation
If virtual memory regions are discarded to free process memory, then memory management flexibility is improved, but application modifications are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compression and storage of application memory to the freezer file before the application is actually terminated or memory is needed. This preliminary action ensures that application modifications are preserved in advance, allowing the system to later restore the application state without loss of information
3Quantity of substance
If application is fully deactivated to free memory, then memory resource allocation is improved, but system latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial deactivation by freezing only the necessary portions of application memory to the freezer file while maintaining the application process in a suspended state rather than fully terminating it. This partial action allows memory resources to be freed while keeping the application ready for quick restoration, minimizing startup latency when the application needs to resume
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, when a secondary application on an electronic device is selected for deactivation, the memory associated with the application can be gathered, compacted and compressed into a memory freezer file. The memory freezer file can be stored in non-volatile memory with a reduced storage footprint compared to a memory stored in a conventional swap file. When the selected application is to be reactivated, the compressed memory in the memory freezer file can be quickly restored to process memory.