Offline App Time Control with Cumulative Timing and Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing application program use time offline are inflexible and can be easily bypassed, leading to ineffective time control, particularly in scenarios where system time manipulation is possible.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that includes setting time control rules with duration and extension settings for application programs, using cumulative timing and identity authentication to manage and extend use time, with options for resetting or delaying usage, and incorporating fingerprint authentication for security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cumulative timing is performed on actual use duration of application programs, then use time management precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple timing and authentication mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse time management precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs cumulative timing automatically in the background without requiring user intervention. The timing mechanism operates autonomously, accumulating actual use duration across multiple sessions and applications, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding additional complexity from manual tracking interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Time control rules including duration settings and extension settings are pre-configured before actual use. This preliminary setup allows the system to automatically enforce time limits and extension policies without real-time complex decision-making, reducing operational complexity while maintaining precise time management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If time extension with identity authentication is implemented, then reliability of time control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to authentication requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of time controlVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Identity authentication is applied selectively only when time extension is required, not for all operations. The system performs partial authentication actions only at the extension decision point, maintaining ease of operation for normal use while ensuring reliability when extending time limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between the user and the time control mechanism. It automatically manages the authentication process and extension decision-making, shielding users from complex security protocols while maintaining reliable time control through background verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple time control rules are set for different application programs, then adaptability of time management is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple rules and settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of time managementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal time control mechanism is implemented that can enforce multiple different time control rules across various application programs through a single integrated system. The core timing and enforcement engine remains unified, while accommodating diverse rules (duration settings, extension settings) through configurable parameters rather than separate mechanisms, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4220452B1Method for managing application program use time offline, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4220452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4220452B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4220452B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for managing an application program use time offline, and a terminal device. The method includes: starting, after the application icon is clicked, a target application program corresponding to the application icon; if the target application program corresponding to the application icon is an application program in which a time control rule is set, performing cumulative timing on actual use duration of the target application program, where the time control rule includes: a duration setting and an extension setting; if a difference between the duration setting and the actual use duration is less than a preset threshold, prompting that a time limit is insufficient; and if the extension setting is set to yes, further displaying a message to indicate whether time extension is needed; and if identity authentication is performed after an instruction indicating that the time extension is needed, extending a use time if the identity authentication succeeds; otherwise, quitting and locking the target application program after the actual use duration reaches the duration setting. An App use time can be flexibly and effectively managed.