Virtual Machine Execution Control via Electronic Signature Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a convenient method for expanding the functionality of devices by operating virtual machines, particularly in ensuring secure and efficient data processing and storage.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a processing unit capable of controlling the execution of virtual machine processing. This processing unit associates virtual machine programs with condition information, including details about the recording medium region and operational conditions, and uses electronic signatures to confirm the validity of these conditions before executing the virtual machine processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual machine programs are executed without condition verification, then device functionality is expanded, but security and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by verifying the electronic signature and condition information before executing the virtual machine program. The processing unit checks whether the virtual machine can be operated according to the associated condition information (such as usage quantity limits, time restrictions, or region constraints) and only executes the program if the verification passes. This prevents unauthorized or invalid executions while maintaining functional expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If virtual machine programs are associated with condition information and electronic signatures, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing condition information and electronic signatures as intermediary elements between the virtual machine program and the execution control. These intermediaries carry the verification data and execution conditions, allowing the processing unit to make informed decisions about program execution without requiring complex built-in verification mechanisms in the virtual machine itself. The condition information acts as a mediator that simplifies the security verification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If data writing operations do not ensure atomicity, then processing speed is improved, but data integrity and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing atomicity guarantees for data writing operations before actual writing occurs. The system ensures that data writing operations are performed atomically (all-or-nothing basis) and maintains verification of execution conditions prior to execution. This prevents partial or corrupted writes while maintaining efficient processing by using proper atomic operations rather than redundant verification during execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12292962B2Information processing apparatus and information processing method
Publication Date: 2025.05.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US12292962B2 patent drawing
  • US12292962B2 patent drawing
  • US12292962B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of improving convenience of a device in which a virtual machine is able to operate are provided. The information processing apparatus includes a processing unit having a function for controlling execution of processing regarding a virtual machine, in which a virtual machine program that operates the virtual machine is associated with condition information that includes information indicating a region of a recording medium and indicates a condition under which the virtual machine is operated, a code of the virtual machine program, and a first electronic signature generated on the basis of the condition information, and the processing unit controls the execution of the processing regarding the virtual machine on the basis of a confirmation result of the first electronic signature associated with the virtual machine program.