IoT-Based Automated Software Patching System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional software patching in information processing systems is often manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors, requiring significant coordination and leading to potential system downtime due to conflicts and dependency issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of IoT sensors and gateways for automated software patching, where IoT sensors detect patch applications and transmit data to an analytics engine, which determines and applies additional patches using a combination of patch push and pull mechanisms, thereby streamlining the process and reducing manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual software patching processes are used, then engineers can identify dependencies and avoid conflicts, but the process takes multiple days and requires significant coordination between teams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatching accuracyVSAvoidpatching duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-patching by automatically detecting software versions, identifying required patches, analyzing dependencies, and applying updates without human intervention. The automated patching system replaces manual engineer workflows with autonomous software agents that execute the entire patching lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical processes (engineers checking dependencies, coordinating between teams, verifying patches) are replaced with an automated software-based system that uses sensors to detect patch states, analytics engines to process patch information, and automated deployment mechanisms to apply updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual patching coordination is implemented, then conflicts between software instances can be avoided, but system downtime increases due to manual verification processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconflict avoidanceVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of patch dependencies and conflicts before applying patches. The automated system evaluates compatibility, identifies dependency chains, and validates patch safety in advance, enabling rapid deployment without extended verification periods or system downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

IoT sensors continuously monitor software patch states and provide real-time feedback to the analytics engine. This feedback loop enables the system to detect patch application status, verify successful deployment, and adjust subsequent patching operations dynamically, reducing downtime through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated IoT-based patching is implemented, then patching time is reduced and manual effort is minimized, but system complexity increases due to IoT sensors and analytics infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatching speedVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IoT sensors and analytics engine serve multiple functions: detecting software versions, monitoring patch application states, providing feedback for dependency analysis, and enabling automated decision-making. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a unified automated patching platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If manual patching processes are used, then engineers can ensure proper validation, but errors in manual processes lead to significant system downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidpatching process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system performs self-validation by checking patch compatibility, verifying dependency satisfaction, and confirming successful application without human intervention. This eliminates manual verification errors while maintaining high validation accuracy through automated consistency checks and feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10817275B2Automated internet of things based software patching

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a first processing platform configured to communicate over a network with at least one additional processing platform. The first processing platform further comprises a plurality of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors configured to detect application of software patches to a monitored system, and at least one IoT gateway coupled to the IoT sensors. The IoT gateway is configured to transmit over the network to the additional processing platform information characterizing one or more software patches previously applied to the monitored system, and to receive over the network from the additional processing platform information characterizing one or more additional software patches to be applied to the monitored system. The first processing platform is configured to apply the one or more additional software patches to the monitored system. The information characterizing the one or more additional software patches to be applied to the monitored system is automatically determined at least in part by an analytics engine.