Cloud Application for User-Controlled Resource Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud computing systems lack the ability for users to control access to their personal computing resources when contributing them to cloud environments, compromising security and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A cloud application is configured to allow users to specify and manage their own resources, including hardware and software, which can be accessed by the cloud, enabling user-controlled resources to be integrated into the cloud environment while maintaining access control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If users contribute their personal computing resources to cloud environments, then the cloud environment gains access to additional computing resources, but users lose the ability to control and limit access to their personal systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing resourcesVSAvoidaccess control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud application as an intermediary layer between the user's personal computing resources and the cloud environment. This intermediary manages resource sharing by allowing users to specify which resources are shared and under what conditions, while the cloud application handles the actual resource allocation and access control. This resolves the contradiction by enabling resource contribution without direct exposure of the personal system to the cloud environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If users contribute personal computing resources to cloud environments, then resource availability increases, but security control over personal systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing resourcesVSAvoidsecurity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user's computing resources into shareable and non-shareable components. The cloud application allows users to selectively identify and share specific resources (such as storage space, processing power, or network bandwidth) while keeping other resources protected. This segmentation enables resource contribution to the cloud environment while maintaining security control over the personal system by ensuring that only authorized portions are exposed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If users maintain full control over their personal computing resources, then security and flexibility are preserved, but the cloud environment cannot utilize external resources for scaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecloud scaling capabilityVSAvoiduser control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource sharing where users can modify their resource sharing preferences at any time through the cloud application interface. The system allows users to dynamically add or remove resources from the shared pool, adjust sharing parameters, and control access levels without permanently surrendering control. This dynamic approach enables the cloud environment to scale by utilizing external resources while preserving user control and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8984505B2Providing access control to user-controlled resources in a cloud computing environment
Publication Date: 2015.03.17 RED HAT INC
  • US8984505B2 patent drawing
  • US8984505B2 patent drawing
  • US8984505B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cloud computing environment can be configured to allow third party, user-controlled resources to be included in the pool of resources available in the cloud. The user-controlled resources can include a cloud application to communicate with a cloud management system to coordinate access to the user-controlled resources. The cloud application allows the user to specify the specific set of resources that the cloud can access, such as specific hardware and software resources.