Safety-Critical App Hosting on Uncontrolled Devices With Runtime Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Safety critical applications (SCAs) installed on uncontrolled data processing devices (UDPDs) lack assurance of proper operation due to the dynamic and unverified environment of UDPDs, which can be compromised by user-driven hardware and software changes, affecting system integrity and safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a test harness with various checks (installation, functional, host integrity, coexistence, interoperability, power management, and environment checks) to ensure the SCA operates properly on UDPDs, controlling its operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a safety critical application is installed on an uncontrolled data processing device, then the device provides user flexibility and accessibility, but the system reliability is compromised due to potential hardware and software changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification and validation actions before allowing the SCA to operate on the UDPD. A verification module performs checks on hardware and software configurations prior to operation, ensuring the environment is suitable. This preliminary action prevents unreliable operations while maintaining user flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the verification module monitors the UDPD environment during SCA operation. The system provides feedback about detected changes or unsuitable conditions, allowing dynamic adjustment of operation status to maintain reliability while preserving adaptability.
2Reliability
If the entire safety critical system undergoes verification and validation processes, then the system operates properly under controlled conditions, but the device complexity increases due to multiple validation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification and validation functionality from the entire system and places it in a separate verification module. This modular approach allows the SCA to be verified independently without requiring complex validation processes for the entire system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification module performs self-contained verification operations to assess the UDPD environment's suitability for running the SCA. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external validation processes, reducing system complexity while ensuring proper operation.
3Ease of operation
If new software and hardware changes are introduced without validation, then the ease of operation and adaptability improve, but the safety and proper operation of the system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic verification system that continuously monitors changes in the UDPD environment. When hardware or software changes are detected, the verification module dynamically reassesses the suitability of the environment, allowing flexible updates while maintaining safety through ongoing validation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and articles of manufacture for hosting a safety critical application on an uncontrolled data processing device are provided. Various checks and combinations of checks including installation, functional, host integrity, coexistence, interoperability, power management, and environment checks are performed at various times to determine if the safety critical application operates properly on the device. The operation of the SCA on the UDPD may be controlled accordingly.