Mobile Workload Deployment via Proximity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices pose a challenge in cloud computing environments due to their mobility, which can disrupt task completion when they move out of network range, as existing technologies do not effectively account for their movement and proximity to resources needed for processing workloads.

Innovation Solution

A mobile workload deployment mechanism that determines the proximity of mobile devices to necessary resources, suspends or relocates workloads accordingly, and enables necessary features remotely or prompts users to enable them, ensuring continuous processing even when devices move out of range or lose connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mobile devices are used as compute elements in the cloud, then device utilization and cloud computing capacity are improved, but task completion reliability deteriorates when devices move out of network range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecloud computing capacityVSAvoidtask completion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically monitors the proximity and network connectivity status of mobile devices, adjusting workload deployment decisions in real-time based on changing conditions. The workload deployment mechanism transitions from static assignment to dynamic reassignment based on device proximity to required resources, ensuring tasks are always executed by devices in optimal locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops by monitoring device proximity, network connection status, and workload execution progress. When a device moves out of proximity or loses connectivity, the system receives feedback and automatically suspends or relocates the workload to maintain task completion reliability while preserving the benefits of mobile compute capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If workloads are deployed to mobile devices based on proximity to resources, then task execution efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to continuous proximity monitoring and deployment management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Mobile devices autonomously report their proximity status and network connectivity to the workload deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for complex centralized tracking systems. Each device self-manages its availability information, reducing the computational burden on the central system while maintaining efficient workload allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The workload deployment mechanism serves multiple functions: it allocates workloads based on proximity, monitors device status, manages task suspension and relocation, and coordinates resource access. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single management system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If mobile devices must remain in proximity to complete tasks, then task completion reliability is improved, but device mobility and user flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask completion reliabilityVSAvoiddevice mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for potential connectivity loss by implementing checkpoint mechanisms and state preservation before devices move out of range. Workloads are designed to pause gracefully and preserve their state, allowing seamless resumption when devices return to proximity, thus cushioning against the disruption of mobility while maintaining reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous productive work by allowing devices to execute workloads offline when disconnected, then synchronize results upon reconnection. This maintains the continuity of useful computational action regardless of proximity constraints, preserving both reliability and mobility by decoupling execution from real-time network availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9268612B2Deployment of mobile workloads based on proximity
Publication Date: 2016.02.23 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • US9268612B2 patent drawing
  • US9268612B2 patent drawing
  • US9268612B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A mobile workload deployment mechanism in a cloud computing environment determines when mobile devices are in proximity of a resource needed to process a mobile workload, and deploys the mobile workload to the mobile devices in proximity of the needed resource. Various methods performed by the mobile workload deployment mechanism account for the mobile nature of mobile devices, and how that mobility may affect the relocation, suspension, and other processing of the mobile workload.