Portable Device Title Bar API Memory Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face inefficiencies in memory usage due to duplicated efforts in designing custom title bars for multiple applications, leading to inconsistent presentations and increased resource consumption, with developers lacking control over system notification icons.

Innovation Solution

A common application programming interface (API) is introduced for generating and controlling a title bar, featuring a private part for managing state and a public part providing an interface to applications, including components for displaying information, notifications, and icons, optimized for memory usage and alignment on the display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If developers implement custom title bar components for each application, then each application can display customized information, but memory usage increases and presentation consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidmemory usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the title bar functionality into a single shared system component that serves all applications, rather than each application having its own separate title bar implementation. This consolidation eliminates redundant code and data structures, reducing memory consumption while maintaining the ability to display application-specific information through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The title bar system is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple applications simultaneously. It provides a standardized interface that works across different applications while allowing each application to customize its displayed information, achieving both consistency and adaptability without requiring separate implementations for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If developers implement custom title bar components for each application, then each application can display customized information, but presentation consistency across applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidpresentation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by allowing each application to customize specific portions of the title bar (such as icons and labels) while maintaining a consistent overall structure and layout. Each application can modify local elements to reflect its specific needs while the global title bar framework ensures uniform presentation across all applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If developers design customized title bars for each application, then each application can control its own presentation, but development effort increases due to duplication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication controlVSAvoiddevelopment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The title bar system is segmented into distinct functional components (such as icon display, text labeling, and layout management) that can be independently configured. Applications can control their specific needs by configuring individual components rather than implementing entire title bar systems, reducing development effort while maintaining application-specific control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If developers implement custom title bar components for each application, then each application can display customized information, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidprocessing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of each application maintaining its own complete title bar implementation, the system uses a single master title bar implementation that can be efficiently copied or referenced by multiple applications. This approach minimizes processing resources by avoiding redundant computation and memory allocation while still allowing each application to display its specific information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2381357B1Generation and control of a title bar on a display of a portable electronic device having multiple applications

Publication Date: 2022.04.06 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

The present specification relates to a portable electronic device comprising at least one processor; a display connected to the processor and controllable by the processor; and non-volatile storage configured to maintain a plurality of applications and an application programming interface for enabling generation and control of a title bar, wherein the application programming interface includes a private part for managing the state of the title bar and a public part that provides an interface to the applications.