Distributed Virus Detection Across Networked Information Processing Apparatuses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems are inadequately protected from computer viruses as they only combat the virus in the detected apparatus without addressing potential infections in other connected systems, leading to potential spread of viruses through data exchange.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where an information processing apparatus detects computer viruses and transmits execution requests for virus detection processing to other apparatuses within the system, ensuring all connected devices perform virus scans and rendering harmless processing to prevent spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If virus detection processing is performed only in the apparatus where a computer virus is detected, then the processing complexity is low, but the reliability of the information processing system deteriorates because other apparatuses remain vulnerable to virus infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem securityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virus detection system is segmented into a request source apparatus that initiates detection and multiple request destination apparatuses that execute detection. When a virus is detected in one apparatus, it transmits execution requests to other apparatuses, dividing the overall security protection task across multiple independent units rather than requiring a centralized complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary virus detection in the request source apparatus before transmitting execution requests to other apparatuses. This preliminary action identifies infected apparatuses early, allowing the system to proactively extend detection to potentially infected apparatuses before viruses can spread further through the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If virus detection is extended to all apparatuses in the system, then the reliability improves, but the loss of time increases due to comprehensive scanning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem securityVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The request source apparatus performs preliminary virus detection before transmitting execution requests to other apparatuses. This preliminary action allows the system to identify infected apparatuses early and target detection efforts efficiently, reducing the overall time required compared to exhaustive scanning of all apparatuses simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits execution requests to other apparatuses only when a virus is detected in the request source apparatus, rather than continuously scanning all apparatuses. This partial action approach performs comprehensive detection only when necessary, reducing unnecessary time consumption while maintaining system security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If comprehensive virus detection is performed across all apparatuses, then the object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to system resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus spread riskVSAvoidsystem productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs virus detection in other apparatuses only when a virus is detected in the request source apparatus, rather than continuously scanning all apparatuses. This conditional partial action reduces unnecessary resource consumption and maintains productivity while still preventing virus spread when infections are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The virus detection task is segmented into optional execution requests that are transmitted to other apparatuses only when needed. Each apparatus maintains its primary productivity functions while having the capability to perform virus detection when requested, allowing the system to balance security needs with productivity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10657256B2Information processing system controlling performance of virus detection processing at devices included in the system, and information processing apparatus and recording medium

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

One information processing apparatus among a plurality of information processing apparatuses performs virus detection processing for detecting a computer virus. When a computer virus has been detected from the one information processing apparatus by the virus detection processing, the one information processing apparatus transmits an execution request to perform the virus detection processing to another information processing apparatus different from the one information processing apparatus among the plurality of information processing apparatuses.