Scenario-Based Wake Lock Control for Flexible Device Standby

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face uncontrollable and inflexible scenarios when entering a standby state, leading to high power consumption and reduced endurance due to unmanaged wake locks.

Innovation Solution

A standby method that manages and controls wake locks based on predefined scenarios, allowing flexible and controlled entry into a standby state by approving or rejecting wake lock requests based on scenario relationships, reducing unnecessary task execution and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wake locks are managed without scenario-based control, then the electronic device can respond to all events, but power consumption increases and endurance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevent response capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments wake lock management into six distinct standby scenarios (notification, call, audio, exercise, navigation, and task scenarios). Each scenario has its own wake lock that can be independently requested, approved, or rejected. This segmentation allows the system to grant wake locks only for specific scenarios rather than universally, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliable event response for active scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If wake locks are granted freely for all scenarios, then all applications can execute tasks, but the system loses control and flexibility in entering standby state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution capabilityVSAvoidstandby state control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic wake lock management where the system can adaptively approve or reject wake lock requests based on the current standby scenario and predefined scenario relationships. The power management service dynamically evaluates each wake lock request against the active scenario and relationship rules, allowing flexible control over which tasks can execute while maintaining system adaptability. This dynamic approach enables the system to enter standby state when appropriate while still allowing necessary task execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple wake locks are managed without scenario relationships, then all applications can request wake locks, but unnecessary tasks execute increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask executionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the power management service continuously monitors the active standby scenario and evaluates wake lock requests against predefined scenario relationships. When a wake lock is requested, the system provides feedback by approving or rejecting the request based on whether it aligns with the current scenario and relationship rules. This feedback loop prevents unnecessary task execution by blocking wake lock requests that would lead to inappropriate task activation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4694380A1Standby method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694380A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694380A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4694380A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a standby method and an electronic device. In technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present invention, the standby method includes: entering, by an electronic device, a first standby scenario, where the first standby scenario is a scenario in which a first wake lock, when the electronic device executes a first event through a first application, is obtained through requesting based on the first event in response to a screen-off operation of a user; requesting a second wake lock for a second standby scenario based on a second event, where the second standby scenario is a scenario in which the electronic device in a standby state executes the second event through a second application; approving or rejecting a request for the second wake lock based on the first standby scenario, the second standby scenario, and a standby scenario relationship; and entering the standby state after the first wake lock is released and a screen is off, or after both the first wake lock and the second wake lock are released and a screen is off. The wake locks are managed and controlled based on the scenarios, so that the electronic device is controllable and flexible in a scenario of entering the standby state.