Graphical Analysis is expected to continue to collect data, even if the power management settings of the device are set to turn off your screen before data collection completes. However, the behavior is slightly different for installed apps compared to the Progressive Web App versions. What is the difference between a Progressive Web App and an installed version of Graphical Analysis and other Vernier apps?
Installed App
With the installed app, data collect is expected to continue even if the app has been minimized. If the screen does turn off, you can check to see if data collection is continuing by shaking the mouse or hitting a key other than the space bar to wake up the screen.
Graphical Analysis app uses the space bar as a shortcut to start and stop data collection. This convenient shortcut can be problematic if you use the space bar to wake up your computer or Chromebook. If Graphical Analysis is currently collecting data, tapping the space bar can stop data collection. If Graphical Analysis has completed data collection, tapping the space bar can start a new collection in a new data set (although your previous data will still be stored in the app).
Progress Web App
With the Progress Web App version, the app must still be visible on the active screen to prevent the device from stopping data collection when the screen powers off. The following configurations can cause the app to stop collecting data when the screen powers off.
- Chrome or Edge browser running Graphical Analysis is minimized.
- Browser running Graphical Analysis is not shown because the user on a different browser tab.
- A different application is running full screen, obscuring the Graphical Analysis app from view.
- Graphical Analysis Progressive Web App installed on a Chromebook is minimized.
To ensure a long data collection will continue when the device screen powers off, make sure at least some of the Graphical Analysis PWA window is visible on your device.
Settings that can Block Data Collection from Continuing
- Permissions Policy
If the request for a wake lock (to keep the host device awake awake) is blocked by a Permissions Policy, the request will be refused and data collection will end when the screen powers off. - Low Battery/Power Saving Mode
The device might refuse the request if it’s low on battery, discharging, or if the user has enabled power-saving modes. - Visibility
If the user minimizes a tab, closes a window, or navigates away from the PWA in which a screen wake lock is active, the lock will be released automatically, and data collection will end when the screen powers off.