Distributed Ledger Metering for Trusted Cloud Resource Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud providers and clients face issues with inflexible pricing models, lack of transparency, and potential tampering in metering data, leading to trust and data integrity concerns in cloud resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cryptographically-secured distributed ledger system to manage cloud resource consumption, using blockchain technology for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof recording of transactions, metering, and billing, with smart contracts for dynamic pricing models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cloud provider uses a centralized metering system to track cloud resource usage, then the cloud provider can maintain control and simplify system architecture, but the system lacks transparency and trustworthiness since clients must blindly trust the provider's reporting accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetrustworthinessVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized metering authority into multiple distributed nodes across the cloud provider's infrastructure. Each node independently validates and records metering data, eliminating the single point of trust while maintaining system functionality. This segmentation creates a decentralized ledger where no single node can unilaterally manipulate usage reports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a blockchain-based distributed ledger as an intermediary layer between the cloud provider's metering sources and the billing system. This intermediary cryptographically secures metering data and provides immutable recording, allowing clients to verify usage independently while maintaining system efficiency through automated smart contract execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cloud provider implements dynamic pricing models to increase flexibility in resource consumption, then pricing adaptability improves, but the complexity of pricing management and metering tracking increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepricing flexibilityVSAvoidpricing management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through smart contracts that automatically execute pricing calculations based on pre-defined rules and actual metering data. The system autonomously handles complex pricing logic, resource allocation, and billing generation without requiring manual intervention from pricing managers, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high pricing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic pricing by allowing pricing parameters (rates, thresholds, time periods) to be programmatically adjusted through the blockchain ledger. These parameter changes are transparently recorded and automatically applied to resource consumption calculations, enabling flexible pricing models without proportionally increasing management complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a cloud provider uses traditional centralized billing systems to manage cloud resource consumption, then the system is easier to operate and maintain, but data integrity is compromised due to potential tampering and lack of transparency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidbilling management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing cryptographic hashing and digital signatures on metering data before it enters the billing system. This preemptive security measure protects against future tampering attempts, ensuring data integrity is maintained throughout the billing process without requiring complex real-time verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical billing verification processes with cryptographic validation mechanisms. Instead of manual auditing and trust-based verification, the system uses blockchain-based cryptographic proofs to automatically verify data integrity, simplifying operations while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12493901B2Managing cloud resource consumption using distributed ledgers

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 RED HAT LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods of the disclosure include: identifying, by a cloud resource management system, a cloud resource consumption model associated with one or more cloud resources; generating, by the cloud resource management system, a sequence of instructions implementing a smart contract based on the cloud resource consumption model; sending, to a distributed ledger network, the smart contract; receiving, by the cloud resource management system, cloud resource usage data associated with the one or more cloud resources; and causing, by transmitting a message reflecting the cloud resource usage data to the distributed ledger, the smart contract to be executed.