Virtual Factory Reset Preserving User Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are often forced to perform a factory reset to debug device issues, resulting in the loss of customizations and settings.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that allows booting into a factory reset mode without overriding user settings by using a virtual boot user space memory area, preserving user settings and allowing for a clean boot environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional factory reset is performed to debug device issues, then a clean boot environment is achieved, but user settings and customizations are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the boot environment into two distinct modes: a virtual factory reset mode that provides a clean boot environment, and a user settings preservation mode that maintains user customizations. This is achieved by creating a virtual copy of the factory environment that can be activated temporarily for debugging purposes without affecting the actual user settings stored in the device memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the factory reset environment that can be activated for debugging. This virtual environment mimics the conditions of a true factory reset (clean boot) while being a reversible, software-based simulation rather than a permanent modification. The virtual copy allows users to test debugging scenarios without permanently losing their settings.
2Loss of information
If Safe Mode or Clean Boot is used instead of factory reset, then user settings are preserved, but the environment is not truly a factory reset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of boot environment authenticity by introducing a virtual factory reset mode that provides the genuine factory reset conditions (clean boot environment) while maintaining the ability to preserve user settings. This is achieved through software-based virtualization that replicates the factory environment parameters without permanently altering the device state.
3Loss of information
If a virtual factory reset is implemented, then user settings are preserved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical device hardware and the boot environment. This virtual layer manages the complexity of creating and switching between factory reset and user settings modes, handling the overhead of virtual environment management while presenting a simplified interface to the user through standard boot options.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method includes receiving a request for a boot into a system factory reset mode, accessing a virtual boot indication in an operating system memory area, identifying an address of a virtual boot user space memory area as a function of the virtual boot indication, and booting the system into the factory reset mode using the virtual boot user space memory without overriding user settings in the user space memory.