Information Handling System Non-Interactive Mode Policy

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to restrict interactions with information handling systems to ensure security and limit access during specific times or conditions, as current systems lack effective mechanisms for programmatically controlling user or software interactions at the hardware and firmware levels.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system incorporates a policy store that modifies configuration settings associated with device features to restrict power transition states, allowing for non-interactive modes that limit user or software interactions, using a service that asserts restrictions based on user initiation, timers, or system management, and utilizes a policy store to manage firmware and device interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the information handling system allows full user and software interactions, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between interactive and non-interactive modes based on temporal policies. Configuration settings are modified at runtime to restrict power transition states, enabling the system to adapt its interaction capabilities according to scheduled security requirements while maintaining ease of operation during permitted periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes configuration parameters associated with device features to enforce non-interactive modes. By modifying power transition state parameters, the system programmatically controls interaction availability at hardware and firmware levels, thereby addressing security concerns without permanently sacrificing operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the system restricts interactions to enhance security, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic alternation between interactive and non-interactive modes based on temporal policies. Security restrictions are applied periodically rather than continuously, allowing the system to enhance security when needed while restoring full operational ease during authorized periods, thus resolving the contradiction through time-based modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the system provides continuous access to resources, then productivity is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource availabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts resource availability based on temporal policies, transitioning between states of full access and restricted access. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain high productivity during authorized periods while implementing security restrictions during prescribed times, resolving the contradiction through time-dependent resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11657188B2System and method for restricting interaction with an information handling system

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system includes a policy store, wherein one of the policies is associated with a feature of a device of the information handling system. If a first assertion for the information handling system to enter a non-interactive mode is detected, then a configuration setting associated with the feature of the device is modified. Modifying the configuration setting associated with the feature of the device includes restricting power transition states of the device.