Tamper-Resistant Information Processing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restarting an information processing apparatus to recover from tampering can degrade user-friendliness by restricting the execution of prior or scheduled jobs, leading to a less user-friendly experience.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with processors that detect tampering and restart only when necessary, allowing second processing to complete or when a predetermined condition is met, while maintaining hardware power ON until recovery and enabling alternative processing if possible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the information processing apparatus is restarted to recover from tampering, then reliability is improved by achieving recovery from the tampering, but user-friendliness deteriorates due to restrictions on executing prior or scheduled jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the restart decision adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically evaluates whether second processing is being executed or scheduled before deciding to restart, allowing the system to adjust its recovery strategy based on real-time operational context. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliability recovery while minimizing disruption to user workflows through conditional, context-aware restart execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of restart execution from a binary state (always restart or never restart) to a conditional state based on processing status. By introducing the condition of whether second processing is being executed or scheduled, the system modifies its behavior parameter dynamically, achieving tampering recovery while preserving user-friendliness through selective restart execution rather than mandatory system-wide interruption.
2Reliability
If the information processing apparatus is restarted immediately upon detecting tampering, then reliability is improved by achieving recovery from the tampering, but productivity deteriorates due to interruption of prior or scheduled processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking the status of second processing before executing the restart operation. The control unit performs a preliminary evaluation to determine whether second processing is being executed or scheduled, and only proceeds with restart if the condition allows. This prevents unnecessary interruptions to productivity while ensuring reliability recovery, as the system prepares and conditions the restart decision in advance rather than executing it immediately upon tampering detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the restart execution conditional on the current processing state. Rather than a static, immediate restart response, the system dynamically adjusts its recovery action based on whether second processing is active or scheduled. This dynamic approach maintains productivity by avoiding restarts during critical processing periods while ensuring reliability through timely recovery when conditions permit.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes one or plural processors configured to: detect tampering of hardware that is mounted on an information processing apparatus and configured to execute first processing; in a case where second processing has not been executed or has not been scheduled to be executed by the information processing apparatus, restart the information processing apparatus to achieve recovery from the tampering; and in a case where the second processing has been executed or has been scheduled to be executed, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, restart the information processing apparatus to achieve recovery from the tampering.


