Unattended Application Background Execution via Exit Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for custom content management application programs, such as Windows services or UNIX daemons, do not support on-demand execution in background mode and require additional programming, and background processes terminate when the user logs off, making it difficult to manage unattended applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for launching and managing unattended application programs in background mode, using a checking mechanism to set an exit command indicator and send notifications to wake up a blocked main thread, allowing continuous operation even after user logout, without the need for additional C programming or shell scripting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional Windows service or UNIX daemon implementations are used, then application programs can run in background mode, but additional C programming is required and execution at boot time is not suitable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground execution capabilityVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between standard application programs and background execution requirements. Instead of requiring applications to be rewritten as services or daemons, the system provides a mediator layer that enables background execution through modified launch scripts and exit command handling, thus reducing programming complexity while maintaining background execution capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the background execution functionality into separate components: launch scripts that start applications in background mode, exit command indicators that track termination requests, and notification mechanisms that wake blocked threads. This segmentation allows standard application programs to gain background execution capability without requiring comprehensive rewriting in C programming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If typical background mode processing in UNIX commands is used, then processes can run in background, but they terminate when the user logs off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground process executionVSAvoidprocess continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors for exit commands and tracks the state of background applications. When an application is launched in background mode, the system sets an exit command indicator and establishes a feedback loop that checks for termination requests. This feedback mechanism ensures that applications continue running independently of user login state, improving process continuity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring launch scripts to execute applications in background mode with proper exit command handling in place before the application runs. The system preemptively sets up exit command indicators and notification mechanisms, ensuring that applications are ready to maintain continuous operation without terminating when users log off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If on-demand execution is required, then applications can be started when needed, but conventional service implementations require execution at boot time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-demand executionVSAvoidexecution timing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the execution timing and mode of applications flexible and adaptive. Instead of fixed boot-time execution or rigid service implementations, the system dynamically launches applications in background mode when needed, with the ability to adjust execution parameters based on current system state and user requirements. This dynamic approach enables both on-demand execution and boot-time execution as needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9417932B2Launching and managing unattended application programs

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Provided are techniques for launching and managing an unattended application program. The application program is launched in background mode. In response to determining that an exit command has been received, an exit command indicator is set to indicate that the exit command has been received and a notification is sent to wake up a blocked main thread of the launched application program.