Hardware Element on Distribution Medium for Secure Application Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microprocessor-based systems face challenges in protecting distributed applications from unauthorized copying and execution, as binary application code can be decrypted and distributed by hostile hosts, lacking effective copy-protection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hardware element on the distribution medium to implement application processes, such as graphics processing, which offloads processing from the host system and stores transformed content in a protected memory, making it difficult for hosts to access or reproduce the original code and content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If application code is stored in binary form on distribution medium for execution by host system, then application can be distributed and executed, but application code can be copied and distributed by hostile hosts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application processes from the distribution medium and implements them in dedicated hardware elements on the distribution medium itself. This separates the processing function from the software code, allowing the hardware to execute processes without exposing the binary code to the host system, thereby preventing copying while maintaining distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hardware elements as intermediaries between the distribution medium and the host system. These hardware elements execute application processes locally on the distribution medium, acting as a mediator that prevents direct access to application code by the host system while still enabling application functionality to be provided to the host.
2Reliability
If application processes are implemented in hardware on distribution medium, then copy-protection is enhanced and host computational burden is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the application into two distinct components: application content stored on the distribution medium and application processes implemented in dedicated hardware elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the content remains protected while the hardware processes provide secure execution without requiring complex software protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution medium provides its own processing capability through integrated hardware elements that execute application processes locally. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the host system to perform complex processing tasks, reducing host burden while the distributed hardware handles computation with built-in security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If application processes are implemented in hardware on distribution medium, then consistent graphics performance is achieved across platforms, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing application-specific hardware elements directly on the distribution medium. Each distribution medium contains customized hardware tailored to execute its specific application processes, ensuring consistent performance characteristics regardless of the host platform. This localized customization achieves platform independence without requiring complex software emulation or configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A distribution medium (20) for providing an application to a host system (4) includes an interface element (21) for interfacing with the host (4), a memory or storage module (22) that stores application code representing the application and a hardware element (23). The hardware element (23) directly accesses application content stored in the memory (22), processes that application content to transform it to another form, and then provides the transformed content to the host system (4).