Virtual Space Time Fidelity During Background Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Javascript-based mobile applications face synchronization issues due to processor speed limitations and suspension when placed in the background, leading to unreliable time function execution and potential playability problems in games.

Innovation Solution

A system that detects elapsed time when a virtual space is resumed from the background to the foreground, adjusts individual timers to maintain time fidelity, ensuring events progress as intended, using a client/server architecture with modules like state detection, lapse determination, and global timer management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If Javascript execution is paused when the application is placed in the background to conserve processor resources, then energy efficiency and processor resource conservation are improved, but time fidelity and synchronization with servers deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor resource consumptionVSAvoidtime function execution reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing the current time when the application enters background state and storing it for later use. This preliminary time capture ensures that when the application resumes, the time functions can be accurately restored without needing to continuously execute during background state, thus resolving the contradiction between resource conservation and time fidelity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (time capture and restoration system) that mediates between the paused Javascript execution and the required time-based event synchronization. This intermediary captures time information when pausing and restores it when resuming, allowing both processor conservation and time reliability to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If Javascript execution is suspended in the background state to recover processor resources, then productivity and resource availability are improved, but time-based event synchronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor resource availabilityVSAvoidtime synchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary time capture when entering background state, storing the time reference before suspension. This preliminary action ensures that when the application resumes and processor resources become available, the time-based events can be accurately restarted from the captured time point, minimizing time loss while maximizing processor resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by detecting when the application enters and exits background state, then using this feedback information to adjust time functions accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that time-based events remain synchronized with server time even though execution is suspended during background periods, resolving the contradiction between productivity and time accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If individual timers are adjusted to maintain time fidelity upon resumption, then time-based event accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime measurement accuracyVSAvoidtimer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by creating a single time management mechanism that handles multiple timer adjustments uniformly. Instead of managing each timer individually with complex separate logic, the system uses a universal time restoration approach that adjusts all time-based functions through a common mechanism, thereby improving time accuracy while minimizing the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9424109B1Maintaining time fidelity for an instance of a virtual space placed in a background state

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 ELECTRONIC ARTS INC

AI summary

Time fidelity may be maintained for an instance of a virtual space placed in a background state. The background state may be a state in which user intervention with the instance of the virtual space is disallowed. In contrast, a foreground state may be a state in which user intervention with the instance of the virtual space is allowed. Individual timers may be associated with corresponding events configured to occur within the virtual space. An elapsed time while the instance of the virtual space is in a background state may be determined. Individual timers may be adjusted based on the elapsed time responsive to the instance of the virtual space resuming from the background state to the foreground state in order to maintain time fidelity.