Shared Physical Memory Reclamation for Background Apps

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Solution Overview

Problem

In scenarios where application processes and hardware devices share physical memory, if the application process fails to release the memory when it switches to the background, the memory remains occupied, leading to a decrease in available memory for the electronic device.

Innovation Solution

The application process actively requests to reclaim the physical memory by sending commands to a memory processing apparatus, which modifies page tables to release and reallocate memory, ensuring data security and availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the application process shares physical memory with hardware device, then memory usage efficiency is improved, but the physical memory cannot be reclaimed when application switches to background

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory usage efficiencyVSAvoidavailable memory
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory management by enabling the application process to actively request memory release when switching to background state. The memory processing apparatus dynamically adjusts memory allocation based on application state changes, transitioning from static memory retention to dynamic memory sharing and reallocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the application process sends commands to the memory processing apparatus to indicate when memory can be released. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor application needs and adjust memory allocation accordingly, enabling efficient memory reclamation when applications are inactive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the application process does not release physical memory when switched to background, then data availability is maintained, but available memory decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidavailable memory
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the application process proactively send memory release commands before actually switching to background state. This advance notification allows the memory processing apparatus to prepare for memory reallocation, ensuring data is preserved and memory is efficiently reused without abrupt changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The memory processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the application process and the physical memory. It receives release commands from the application, manages the memory reallocation process, and ensures proper data handling, thereby mediating between data availability requirements and memory efficiency goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the memory processing apparatus modifies page tables to release memory, then memory can be reallocated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory reallocation capabilityVSAvoidpage table management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the application process to autonomously send memory release commands based on its own state changes. The application process manages its own memory needs by actively requesting release when switching to background, reducing the burden on the memory processing apparatus and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4693053A1Memory processing method, electronic device and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4693053A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4693053A1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP4693053A1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a memory processing method, an electronic device, and a readable storage medium. In the method, in a scenario in which an application program and a hardware device share a first physical memory, when the application program is switched to a background, the application program sends a first command to a memory processing apparatus, where the first command indicates to release the first physical memory of the application program; and the memory processing apparatus releases the first physical memory in response to the first command. In embodiments of this application, when the application program is switched to the background, and temporarily does not need to use the first physical memory, the application program may actively request to release the first physical memory, to increase an available memory of an electronic device.