Rollback-Capable Delta Software Update for Constrained Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained devices lack the processing and storage capacity to perform rollbacks from delta software updates, as they typically require large resources to store and process previous software versions for rollback functionality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves storing and applying delta update data that includes bit-difference data and metadata, allowing devices to generate new software versions without needing large storage or processing capabilities, enabling rollbacks by preserving the delta update data for reversal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If delta update data is used to reduce storage and network requirements, then storage capacity and network traffic are reduced, but rollback capability is lost in constrained devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential bit-level difference data and minimal metadata required for rollback, removing unnecessary overhead from traditional delta updates. This allows constrained devices to maintain rollback capability with minimal storage by storing only the critical difference data rather than complete software versions or extensive metadata
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation parameters of update data from byte-level or block-level differences to bit-level differences. This parameter change reduces the storage requirements for delta update data while preserving the ability to perform rollbacks on constrained devices, directly addressing the contradiction between storage efficiency and rollback capability
2Reliability
If complete software versions are stored to enable rollback, then rollback capability is maintained, but storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software update process into bit-level difference data that can be independently stored and applied. Instead of storing complete software versions, the system segments the update into minimal bit-difference representations that can be stored in constrained devices while still enabling full rollback capability when needed
3Quantity of substance
If traditional delta updates are applied, then network traffic and storage are reduced, but processing complexity increases for constrained devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex metadata processing mechanisms with simpler bit-level operations. By using straightforward bit-difference data representation and application processes, the system reduces processing complexity for constrained devices while maintaining efficient network traffic and storage characteristics of delta updates
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are described herein for creating and installing software updates which may be rolled back, without requiring large processing capabilities and/or large storage capacity at a device. Delta software updates are determined comprising differences, on a bit-level, between a first version of the software and a second, updated, version of the software, and metadata defining how to apply the differences. Methods of performing a rollback-capable update at a device are also described herein.