Reliability Information for Automatic Industrial Software Patching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial software patches are difficult to implement reliably and automatically due to complex boundary conditions in industrial installations, such as real-time functionality and configurations, which can lead to increased susceptibility to errors and cyber attacks, and existing patching methods are not effectively scalable or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize reliability information to determine whether to apply a patch based on the expected level of harm from unsuccessful updates, allowing for automatic decision-making and reducing manual intervention, by associating a reliability status with the patch that reflects the likelihood of successful reliability increase, and adjusting this information based on tests by manufacturers and operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patches are applied to industrial software to correct security vulnerabilities and programming errors, then software reliability is improved, but the complexity of the patching process increases due to boundary conditions such as real-time functionality and industrial plant configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining reliability information about patches before they are actually applied to industrial software. The system evaluates whether a patch will successfully increase software reliability by considering boundary conditions like real-time functionality and plant configurations in advance, rather than dealing with these complexities during the actual patching process. This allows automatic decision-making about patch application without manual intervention during critical operations.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is used to evaluate and apply patches in industrial installations, then reliability of patching can be maintained, but productivity and cost-effectiveness deteriorate due to time-consuming manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically evaluate and decide on patch application without requiring manual human intervention. The reliability information mechanism allows the software system itself to assess whether patches are appropriate based on pre-determined criteria and boundary conditions, making the patching process autonomous and significantly more efficient while maintaining reliability through systematic evaluation.
3Productivity
If patches are applied without sufficient testing and reliability assessment, then productivity is improved through faster deployment, but the risk of failure and consequential costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting reliability assessment and evaluation before patch deployment. The system determines reliability information about patches in advance, considering various boundary conditions and potential impacts on industrial plant operations. This pre-evaluation ensures that only patches with acceptable success probabilities are deployed, reducing failure risks while maintaining deployment efficiency through automatic decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods and to-devices for increasing the reliability of a software by applying a patch to the software, wherein the application of the patch is performed if a specifiable reliability status is indicated by reliability information associated with the patch, wherein an indicator for successful increasing of the reliability of the software by application of the patch is represented by the reliability information. The methods and devices can be used for the maintenance of industrial installations.