Microsoft patents system to reuse background tasks for apps
Microsoft describes a method for managing background tasks by keeping a pool of ready-to-use processes. When an app needs a specific task, the system checks if a matching process is available in the pool and reuses it, or creates a new one if needed.
In the filing’s own words
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to process pooling for application services. In examples, a pool of utility processes is maintained, such that a preexisting utility process is identified from the process pool based on a set of criteria and used to host a service accordingly (e.g., in response to a service request from an application or other software). In instances where the process pool does not include a utility process that matches the set of criteria, a new utility process may be created and used to host the service. Further, the new utility process may be added to the process pool, such that a future service having the same or a similar associated set of criteria may be hosted using the new utility process accordingly.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A system comprising: at least one processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform a set of operations, the set of operations comprising: receiving, from an application, a request for processing by a service; determining, based on a set of criteria associated with the request, whether a process pool of utility processes for hosting services for the application includes a utility process with which to host the service; based on determining the process pool does not include a utility process with which to host the service, generating a new utility process for the service based on the set of criteria; and configuring the new utility process to host the service for the application, wherein the new utility process is separate from a main process of the application, and wherein the configuring comprises establishing an inter-process communication channel between the application and the new utility process.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Process pooling for application services
- Patent number
- US12737241B2
- Application number
- 18142922
- Filed
- May 3, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 18
Classified under
G06F 9/542 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.