Distributed Ledger Software Version Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional management systems face difficulties in preventing the falsification of software version and developer identification information, which can lead to malicious activities such as spoofing and profit impairment.

Innovation Solution

A management method utilizing distributed ledgers, specifically blockchains, to validate and store transaction data including software version information and developer identification, ensuring the legitimacy of updates and preventing falsification by using electronic signatures and secure storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional centralized management systems are used to manage software version information, then the system is simple to operate and easy to implement, but the information under management can be falsified by management servers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity of software version informationVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized management system into multiple distributed management servers, each maintaining a copy of the ledger. This segmentation prevents any single server from falsifying information, as changes require consensus across the network, thus improving reliability while distributing system functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a blockchain ledger as an intermediary layer between software developers and management servers. This intermediary uses cryptographic hashing and consensus mechanisms to ensure that version information cannot be falsified, providing reliability without requiring complex trust relationships between individual servers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If distributed ledgers are used to prevent information falsification, then the integrity and reliability of managed information is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of information falsificationVSAvoiddistributed ledger implementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified copies of the blockchain ledger across multiple management servers. Each server maintains an identical copy through consensus-based synchronization, which prevents falsification while avoiding the need for complex point-to-point verification between all server pairs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the distributed ledger system to perform multiple functions: storing version information, validating software updates, maintaining developer identification, and providing audit trails. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and lowers overall implementation complexity despite the distributed architecture

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

Data Source

PatentEP3584759B1Management method, management apparatus, and program
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3584759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3584759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3584759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a management method for software versions which prevents falsification of information under management. In the management method, a first management apparatus among management apparatuses receives transaction data from an apparatus connected through a network to the first management apparatus, the transaction data including first information on a first version of software, second information on a second version of the software subjected to version upgrade from the first version by a software developer, identification information of the software developer, and an electronic signature (S124). The first management apparatus validates legitimacy of the transaction data using the electronic signature included in the transaction data received (S114). When the transaction data is legitimate, the management apparatuses store the transaction data in distributed ledgers (S115).