Push Model Device Update Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 'pull model' for updating electronic devices is inefficient, as it relies on user-initiated updates, leading to potential vulnerabilities and is unsuitable for devices without direct user interaction, such as IoT devices, which may not receive timely updates.
Innovation Solution
A 'push model' system that uses a central configuration device to select and update target devices based on predefined rules, ensuring compatibility and applying updates automatically, with the option for user override through a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pull model is used for device updates, then users have control over when to update, but updates are delayed and devices remain vulnerable to threats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pull model by implementing a push model where the configuration device initiates updates to electronic devices rather than devices requesting updates. This reversal ensures timely security updates while maintaining controlled deployment through rule-based validation and user override capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-evaluating update compatibility using rule sets before deployment. The configuration device assesses device states, validates update packages against compatibility rules, and prepares staged rollout plans in advance, ensuring security updates are applied promptly while maintaining system stability.
2Ease of operation
If a pull model is used for device updates, then user control is maintained, but devices without direct user interaction cannot receive timely updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic update deployment by adapting the update process to different device types and user contexts. For devices without direct user interaction, automated push updates are deployed based on rule sets. For user-accessible devices, the system dynamically adjusts between automated deployment and user-initiated updates, maintaining ease of operation while improving overall update timeliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration device acts as an intermediary between update sources and electronic devices. It manages the push update process, evaluates device states, applies rule-based compatibility checks, and coordinates staged rollouts. This intermediary enables timely updates for IoT devices without direct user interaction while preserving user control options for other devices.
3Loss of time
If automated push updates are deployed to all devices, then update timeliness is improved, but compatibility issues and system instability may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update deployment process into multiple stages and groups. Updates are first tested on a subset of compatible devices, then progressively rolled out to larger groups based on validation results. This segmented approach enables fast update deployment while maintaining system stability through controlled progression and risk isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing rule-based compatibility validation before update deployment. Rule sets evaluate device states, hardware configurations, and software versions to preemptively identify incompatible devices. This preliminary assessment prevents stability issues by blocking incompatible updates before they are applied, enabling faster safe deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
Automatically updating electronic devices using a push model. A set of electronic devices may be selected for an update. A first plurality of devices of the set of devices for which the update is valid may be determined in accordance with a set of rules, e.g., safety check rules or business rules, where the determining is based on stored configuration information for each of the devices. Current configuration information and accessibility information may be received for each of the first plurality of devices, and based on the received current configuration information and accessibility information and the stored configuration information, a second plurality of devices of the set of devices for which the update is valid may be determined, where the second plurality is a subset of the first plurality. The update may be applied automatically to at least some of the second plurality of devices.