Information Processing Apparatus Application Safety Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing apparatuses lack effective control over the execution of application software acquired from external sources, particularly in ensuring safety against malfunctions and unauthorized access, especially for applications that have not been pre-verified for safety.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes an authentication server and external servers, where the apparatus acquires applications from external servers, performs registration determination, first and second execution determinations based on user input and authentication results, and selectively executes applications only after verifying their safety through a database of registered safe applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If applications are acquired from external apparatuses via network, then multi-functionality of the information processing apparatus is enhanced, but safety when the acquired application is executed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing safety verification of applications before execution. The information processing apparatus checks whether an application has been verified for safety by a manufacturer or authorized organization before allowing execution. This preliminary verification step prevents malicious applications from compromising system safety while still enabling multi-functionality through external application acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the information processing apparatus notifies the user that safety of an application has not been verified, then user awareness is improved, but the possibility of safety problems after execution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser awarenessVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the information processing apparatus automatically check safety verification status and provide appropriate responses to users. When an application is not verified, the system notifies the user and waits for explicit permission. When verified, the system allows execution without additional user intervention. This feedback mechanism ensures users are informed while maintaining safety through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If conventional technology controls execution during installation, then installation of unsafe applications is prevented, but execution of applications acquired for execution each time cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during installationVSAvoidexecution control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a unified safety control mechanism that works for all application acquisition methods. The information processing apparatus performs safety verification whether the application is installed beforehand or acquired for execution each time. This universal approach maintains safety control flexibility while supporting both installation-based and on-demand execution models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2287774B1Information processing device and method of execution control
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 SATURN LICENSING LLC
  • EP2287774B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2287774B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2287774B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided an information processing apparatus including a communication unit, an acquisition unit that acquires an application from an external storage apparatus each time processing concerning execution is started, a determination unit that determines whether the external storage apparatus acting as an acquisition source is registered, a first determination unit that determines whether to execute the application based on a user's operation if it is determined that the external storage apparatus is not registered, a communication processing unit that performs communication with an authentication server if the first determination unit determines to execute the application, a second determination unit that determines whether to execute the application based on an authentication result transmitted from the authentication server, and an execution processing unit that selectively executes the acquired application if the determination unit determines that the external storage apparatus is registered or the second determination unit determines to execute the application.