Agent Software Consent Rules for Timely Management Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing software update systems in apparatuses are hindered by the need for administrator consent, which can create obstacles when operation policies prohibit certain software updates, leading to delayed or incomplete updates.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a processor and memory device that stores agent software and consent information, allowing permitted functions to be executed while prohibiting prohibited functions, and enabling updates without explicit administrator consent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If administrator consent is required for software updates, then security and policy compliance are improved, but update timeliness and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and policy complianceVSAvoidupdate timeliness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the software update process by dividing functions into permitted and prohibited categories based on consent information. The update mechanism selectively applies updates to permitted functions while excluding prohibited ones, enabling parallel processing of updateable components without waiting for administrator approval on all functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service updates by automatically identifying which functions can be updated based on stored consent information. The apparatus autonomously determines update eligibility and executes updates on permitted functions without requiring real-time administrator intervention, while still maintaining policy compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If administrator consent is required for all software updates, then operational control is improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational controlVSAvoidmanagement overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing consent information that identifies which functions require administrator approval and which can be updated automatically. This advance preparation enables the system to differentiate between permitted and prohibited functions during the update process, reducing the need for real-time administrative intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The consent information acts as an intermediary between administrator policies and the automated update mechanism. It mediates the update process by providing pre-defined rules that determine which functions can be updated without direct administrator involvement, thereby simplifying operational control while maintaining policy adherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260010630A1Apparatus for providing management function

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for providing a management function includes a processor and a memory device. The memory device stores therein agent software capable of executing a plurality of management functions for managing the apparatus, and also stores consent information indicating whether use of each of the plurality of management functions is permitted The processor executes a management function use of which is permitted by the consent information, among the plurality of management functions, and rejects execution of a management function use of which is prohibited by the consent information. The processor updates the agent software without obtaining a consent of the administrator of the apparatus.