Application Platform Versioning Building Blocks Update Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing application platforms in medical environments lack operational security and fail-safety during updates and upgrades, particularly when performed by third-party installer programs, which can damage the platform and affect all installed applications.
Innovation Solution
The application platform is divided into independent platform versioning building blocks that can be separately versioned and updated, with a platform updater module controlling changes and ensuring integrity through a strict, cycle-free hierarchy and predefined update types, allowing for efficient and safe installation of applications from arbitrary software manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If third-party installer programs are used to update or extend the application platform, then the platform can be customized and extended according to user needs, but the platform may be damaged and all installed applications may stop working
Solution Approach 1:
The application platform is divided into independent platform versioning building blocks (PVBBs) that can be separately updated and managed. Each PVBB represents a distinct functional module with its own version identifier, allowing granular control over platform components and preventing cascading failures across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
A platform updater module is introduced as an intermediary between third-party installer programs and the application platform. This module validates installer requests, checks compatibility with existing PVBBs, and controls the update process to prevent damage to platform integrity while still allowing customization.
2Ease of operation
If generic installer programs are used for software installation, then installation uniformity is provided, but functions to assure update safety and prevent platform damage are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The platform updater module serves as a specialized intermediary that enhances generic installer functionality with platform-specific safety checks. It validates installer compatibility, manages version dependencies, and controls the update process to prevent platform damage while maintaining installation uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation and compatibility checks before executing installer programs. The platform updater module assesses potential updates against existing PVBBs and platform state in advance, preventing unsafe installations before they can cause damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the application platform is updated or extended by third-party programs, then new features and applications can be added, but operational security and fail-safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the platform into independent PVBBs with version control, the system allows extensions and updates to specific modules without affecting the entire platform. This modular approach maintains operational fail-safety by isolating changes to discrete units.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform updater module implements feedback mechanisms that monitor platform state during updates, validate compatibility, and can rollback changes if safety conditions are not met. This feedback loop ensures operational security while allowing platform extensions.
Data Source
AI summary
An application platform is disclosed in a medical environment with a number of computer systems providing an information technology infrastructure and a plurality of basic information technology services to a number of users in the medical environment. At least one embodiment of the application platform provides a particularly simple and coordinated upgrade and update by independent software manufacturers and further provides a particularly high operational fail-safety during updates and upgrades by preventing damage to the systems caused by third party installer programs. To this end, at least one embodiment of the application platform includes a plurality of platform versioning building blocks and a number of platform data repositories, wherein the plurality of platform versioning building blocks are mutually independently updateable.