System Reset via Partitioned Storage Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional system recovery methods are time-consuming and risk data loss, as they require users to back up personal data externally before resetting the operating system, and often fail to completely remove problematic applications, leading to continued performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A method to reset the system by isolating user data and settings, removing the existing operating system and applications without disturbing the data, and reinstalling only desired applications, eliminating the need for external backups and ensuring data preservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional system recovery methods are used to reset the operating system, then the system can be restored to factory conditions, but user data may be lost and the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reset reliabilityVSAvoiddata backup and restore time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into multiple partitions: a first partition for the operating system and applications, and a second partition for user data. This segmentation allows the system reset operation to be performed on the first partition while leaving the second partition intact, thereby resetting the system without affecting user data and eliminating the need for time-consuming backup and restore operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts user data from the operating system environment by storing it in a separate partition. This extraction allows the system reset to remove and reinstall the operating system and applications while the user data remains isolated and preserved, eliminating the risk of data loss during the reset process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional system reset methods are used, then the operating system can be reset to factory settings, but user data must be backed up externally which increases device complexity and operation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata preservationVSAvoidbackup operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into distinct partitions: one for the operating system and another for user data. This segmentation enables the system reset to target only the operating system partition, automatically preserving user data without requiring manual backup operations, thereby simplifying the user interface and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically preserves user data during the reset process through its partitioned architecture. The system itself manages the data protection without requiring user intervention for manual backups, making the reset operation simpler and more user-friendly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If applications are uninstalled to improve system performance, then resource consumption may be reduced, but the application may remain in a torn state causing continued performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidapplication removal completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts applications from the user environment by storing them in a separate partition from user data. This allows for complete and clean removal of applications during system reset without leaving residual files or registry entries that could cause performance degradation, ensuring complete application removal while maintaining system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2652599B1System reset
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2652599B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2652599B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2652599B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.