Software Package Commentary Section Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software distribution packages for mobile operating systems, such as Android, lack the ability to add supplemental parameters for specific users without recalculating digital signatures, making it difficult to modify software configurations or settings during installation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow modifications to be written into the commentary section or free regions of the software distribution package without recalculating digital signatures, using a hardware processor to determine the necessary modifications and identify free regions within the package structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modifications are added to the software distribution package to include user-specific parameters and settings, then the adaptability and functionality of the software delivery is improved, but the complexity of the package structure and signature verification process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software distribution package into distinct functional areas: a protected core section containing signed files and a separate commentary section for storing user-specific parameters. This segmentation allows modifications to be made in the commentary section without affecting the signature verification of the core software files, thus improving adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the user-specific parameters and supplemental settings from the main software distribution package structure and places them in a separate commentary section. This extraction allows the core package to remain intact and properly signed, while enabling flexible addition of user-specific configurations without complicating the overall package structure or requiring signature recalculation.
2Ease of operation
If the software distribution package is modified to include supplemental settings, then the ease of automated installation is improved, but the time required for package preparation and signature recalculation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating a commentary section within the software distribution package structure during package creation. This commentary section is specifically designed to store user-specific parameters and supplemental settings. By preparing this section in advance, the system enables rapid modification of package contents for different users without requiring time-consuming signature recalculation, thus facilitating automated installation while minimizing preparation time.
3Reliability
If digital signatures are recalculated for every modification to ensure security, then the reliability of the software distribution is improved, but the productivity of the package modification process decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the package into a signed core section and an unsigned commentary section. Modifications to user-specific parameters are confined to the commentary section, which does not require signature recalculation. This segmentation maintains security by protecting the core software files while enabling efficient modifications to supplemental settings without compromising reliability or productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different parts of the package: the core software files maintain strict signature verification for security, while the commentary section allows flexible, unsigned modifications for user-specific parameters. This local differentiation of quality requirements preserves security where needed while enabling high-speed modifications where appropriate, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for modifying a software distribution package. An example method includes receiving a software distribution package that including one or more compressed files and one or more digital signatures of the one or more compressed files. The method further includes determining to add modifications to the software distribution package. The method further includes writing the modifications into a commentary section of the software distribution package or into a free region between the one or more compressed files of the software distribution package without recalculating the digital signatures for the one or more compressed files included in the software distribution package.