Point-Based License Sharing for Cloud Resource Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 'pay as you go' resource licensing models in cloud computing are inflexible and can lead to excessive costs due to unchecked resource consumption, lacking mechanisms for efficient resource management and return of unused resources.
Innovation Solution
A point-based licensing mechanism that allows customers to assign and convert points into computing resources dynamically, enabling flexible resource allocation and de-allocation, with real-time updates and depreciation options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a 'pay as you go' resource licensing model is used, then resource availability and flexibility are improved, but resource consumption control and cost management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the licensing model from traditional unit-based or time-based licensing to point-based licensing. This parameter change allows resources to be allocated and controlled through a unified point currency system, where different resource types (CPU, storage, bandwidth) are converted to points at different rates. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining allocation flexibility through dynamic point conversion while enabling consumption control through point expenditure tracking and budget constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal point-based currency system that can be applied across multiple resource types and licensing scenarios. The same point system serves multiple functions: resource allocation, consumption tracking, cost management, and budget control. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing a single mechanism that simultaneously enables flexible allocation and controlled consumption across diverse resources.
2Ease of manufacture
If point-based currency transformation is implemented, then resource management control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a point-based currency system as an intermediary layer between resource providers and consumers. This intermediary simplifies complex resource management by converting diverse resource types into a unified point metric, making allocation and tracking more manageable. The point system acts as a mediator that abstracts the complexity of individual resource types while maintaining precise control over consumption and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of resource measurement from physical units (CPU cores, GB storage) to a normalized point system. This parameter transformation simplifies control mechanisms by allowing uniform point-based allocation rules to apply across all resource types, reducing the complexity of managing different resource characteristics individually while maintaining detailed control through point tracking.
3Measurement precision
If real-time point updates are performed, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time point tracking and updating mechanisms that maintain accurate resource allocation records without interruption. This continuous action ensures precise allocation accuracy by constantly monitoring point consumption and availability, while the system optimizes processing by using efficient data structures and incremental updates rather than complete recalculations, balancing precision with processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and tools directed toward point-based license sharing mechanism that allows resource providers to dynamically control the computing resources each customer consumes by assigning point values to the license agreements between the customers and resource providers. Customers can select the amount of available points in a personalized license agreement and instead of using a “pay as you go” model, the customer upgrades and downgrades resources and services through point transfers which convert points into the resources Using the point-based conversions, customers have greater control over each license without inadvertently spending more money than expected on resources because the resources are limited to the available points in the license agreement, unless the licenses are purposefully upgraded by user. User licenses may offer flexible options to dynamically de-provision unused or unwanted resources back into available points for reallocation of new resources that may currently be more important to the user.