Aircraft Software Crate Tool for Secure Digital Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current system for managing and distributing loadable aircraft software parts is cumbersome and time-consuming, relying on physical media such as diskettes, compact discs, or digital versatile discs, which occupies space and requires manual retrieval for maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for processing aircraft software parts, involving validation of signatures, unpacking, and signing of software parts within a crate, allowing for efficient storage and distribution through a data processing system that includes a bus, storage device, and processor unit, enabling secure and organized management of software parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical media (diskettes, CDs, DVDs) are used to store and distribute aircraft software parts, then the software parts can be physically distributed and stored, but the system becomes cumbersome and time-consuming, occupying space and requiring manual retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical media distribution system with an electronic/digital system. Software parts are distributed and stored electronically rather than on physical media like diskettes, CDs, or DVDs. This eliminates the need for manual retrieval of physical media and enables faster, more efficient access to software parts for maintenance operations.
2Quantity of substance
If physical media are used for storing aircraft software parts, then the software can be stored and transported, but significant storage space is occupied and manual retrieval is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical storage media with electronic storage systems. Software parts are stored in digital format rather than on physical media, dramatically reducing the physical storage space required while maintaining or increasing the capacity to store software parts.
3Reliability
If signature validation and signing processes are implemented for aircraft software parts, then security and policy compliance are improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements signature validation and signing processes as preliminary actions that are automatically performed during the software part distribution and storage process. By embedding these security measures into the workflow, the system ensures policy compliance and security without requiring complex manual intervention, thus managing complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing aircraft software parts. A crate containing an aircraft software part is received from a source. Signatures are validated for the crate and the aircraft software part. If the signatures are valid, the crate is unpacked. The contents of the incoming crate are displayed. The aircraft software part is unpacked. Responsive to a request to upload the stored part to a library in the aircraft software part management apparatus, a determination is made as to whether the stored part meets a policy. If the stored part meets the policy, the part is signed. The signed part is placed in a crate and is signed to form a signed crate wherein signatures for the signed aircraft software part and the signed crate are different from the set of signatures in the incoming crate. The signed crate is sent to the library.