Dynamic UI Refresh Throttling for Processing Resource Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for refreshing user interfaces in communication systems, such as VoIP, often lead to performance issues due to excessive processing cycles, especially when dealing with high rates of incoming event indications, which can overwhelm the system and reduce responsiveness.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically determines time periods for refreshing the user interface based on the rate of incoming event indications, using an exponential back-off algorithm to throttle down refresh rates during high event rates and reset them during low event periods, ensuring maximum responsiveness while conserving processing resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the user interface is refreshed directly in response to receiving event indications, then the user interface responsiveness is improved, but the processing resources are excessively consumed when event rate is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface responsivenessVSAvoidprocessing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic polling at controlled intervals instead of continuous refreshment. A timer mechanism polls for event indications at predetermined intervals, and the user interface is refreshed only when events are detected during these periodic checks. This converts continuous processing into periodic action, reducing overall processing resource consumption while maintaining acceptable responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the polling interval based on the rate of incoming event indications. When event rate is high, the polling interval is reduced to maintain responsiveness; when event rate is low, the polling interval is increased to conserve processing resources. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining responsiveness and reducing resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If a periodic timer is used to refresh the user interface at constant intervals, then the processing resources are conserved, but the user interface responsiveness deteriorates when event rate varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing resourcesVSAvoiduser interface responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the rate of incoming event indications and use this information to adjust the polling interval. The system continuously feedbacks on event rate to the timer control logic, which then adapts the polling frequency accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain responsiveness during high event rates while conserving resources during low event rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The polling interval is made dynamic rather than fixed. The timer mechanism adjusts its interval based on real-time conditions (event rate), transitioning between different polling frequencies as needed. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize between resource conservation and responsiveness based on actual operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the user interface refresh is postponed during time periods, then the processing resources are reduced during high event rates, but the user interface responsiveness is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing resourcesVSAvoidinterface update delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic polling at controlled intervals instead of continuous refreshment. A timer mechanism polls for event indications at predetermined intervals, and the user interface is refreshed only when events are detected during these periodic checks. This converts continuous processing into periodic action, reducing overall processing resource consumption while maintaining acceptable responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the polling interval based on the rate of incoming event indications. When event rate is high, the polling interval is reduced to maintain responsiveness; when event rate is low, the polling interval is increased to conserve processing resources. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining responsiveness and reducing resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2449459B1Reducing processing resources incurred by a user interface

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 SKYPE

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AI summary

A method, program and apparatus for limiting processing resources incurred due to refreshing a user interface of a first terminal. The method comprises: at a first terminal, receiving a plurality of event indications which indicate respective events, each of the event indications being received at a different time; and based on the event indications, refreshing the user interface of the first terminal to reflect each of the respective events. Said refreshing comprises determining a plurality of time periods, and during each of those time periods postponing the user interface from being refreshed to reflect any outstanding ones of the event indications until that time period has elapsed. The time periods are each determined having a length set in dependence on a timing of the receipt of one or more of the event indications, wherein the length of a later time period is set to an increased value relative to an earlier time period in response to the receipt of one or more of said event indications within a time limit.