Proxy Process Cross-Domain Resource Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing processes across multiple operating systems on a single hardware device is challenging, particularly in scenarios where security requires separate virtualized instances, as existing methods fail to effectively coordinate resource allocation and cleanup across different operating system domains.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a proxy process within each operating system to facilitate cross-domain process management, allowing for resource tracking and cleanup by acting as a mediator between domains and enabling secure resource sharing while ensuring that resources are not prematurely shut down, even when memory is low.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple operating systems are run concurrently on a single hardware device for security purposes, then security is improved, but process management and resource coordination across domains deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocess management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A proxy process is introduced as an intermediary component within the target operating system to mediate resource requests from processes in other operating systems. The proxy process receives resource requests from foreign domains, translates them into appropriate system calls, and manages the lifecycle of target processes, thereby enabling seamless cross-domain process management while maintaining security boundaries between operating systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into multiple independent operating system domains, each with its own process space and resources. The proxy process acts as a boundary component that manages interactions between these segmented domains, allowing each operating system to maintain its security isolation while still enabling coordinated resource management across domains through the proxy mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If single operating system techniques are used for process management, then simplicity is maintained, but cross-domain resource coordination fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidresource coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy process serves as an intermediary that preserves the simplicity of individual operating systems while enabling complex cross-domain resource coordination. Each operating system can continue to use its native process management techniques without modification, while the proxy process handles the complexity of inter-domain communication and resource allocation, thus maintaining simplicity at the system level without sacrificing coordination capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If resources are aggressively managed to optimize memory usage, then memory efficiency is improved, but processes may be prematurely shut down affecting user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory usageVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy process implements feedback mechanisms to monitor the state of target processes and the needs of requesting processes across domains. By continuously tracking resource usage patterns and process lifecycles, the proxy can make informed decisions about resource allocation and process termination, ensuring that processes are not prematurely shut down while maintaining efficient memory utilization through dynamic resource management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2955630B1System and method for coordinating process and memory management across domains
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2955630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2955630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2955630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method at a computing device having a plurality of concurrently operative operating systems, the method comprising: operating a proxy process within a target operating system on the computing device; receiving, from an originating operating system, a request for resources from a target process within the target operating system at the proxy process; requesting, from the proxy process, the resources of the target process; and returning a handle to the target process from the proxy process to the originating operating system.