Thin Client Server Load Balancing for Geologic Resource Exploration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current geologic resource exploration and production computer networks face challenges such as high network resource demands, slow performance due to multiple application loading, and inability to utilize high resolution display capabilities, particularly in thin client environments.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method in a thin client/server computer network to determine and utilize the least busy server node for executing applications, enabling efficient access and display of high-resolution content through load-balanced servers and remote access protocols like ICA, allowing secure and high-resolution image rendering on client workstations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple client computers are utilized in E&P environments, then application functionality and user productivity are improved, but network bandwidth demands increase significantly requiring costly upgrades from megabit to gigabit networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser productivityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple application instances and their data into shared memory spaces on the server system. Multiple users can access and manipulate the same application and data simultaneously through the network, eliminating the need for each user to have separate copies of applications and data in local memory. This combining approach significantly reduces network bandwidth requirements while maintaining productivity benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server system as an intermediary between clients and applications. The server hosts applications in shared memory and manages access for multiple clients, acting as a mediator that reduces direct network traffic between clients and application data. This intermediary architecture allows efficient resource sharing and reduces the network bandwidth burden on individual client connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If applications and associated data are loaded from remote servers into client workstation memory, then application accessibility is improved, but loading time and user waiting time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication accessibilityVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading applications into shared memory spaces on the server system before user requests. The server maintains applications in ready-to-execute states in its memory, so when users request applications, they can be accessed and transferred to client workstations much faster than if they needed to be loaded from permanent storage each time. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces loading and waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple applications are run simultaneously on a workstation, then user productivity and task versatility are improved, but workstation resources are consumed resulting in slower performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask versatilityVSAvoidworkstation resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the execution environment for multiple applications onto the server system rather than requiring each application to run locally on the client workstation. Multiple applications share the server's processing resources and memory space, allowing users to access and run multiple applications simultaneously without consuming excessive local workstation resources. This maintains task versatility while preserving local system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Illumination intensity

If high resolution displays with resolutions up to 3840×1200 on dual monitors are utilized, then graphics display quality and data visualization capability are improved, but current network applications cannot fully utilize maximum display resolutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoiddisplay capability utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the graphics rendering and display output processing onto the server system. The server captures high-resolution graphical output from applications running in shared memory and transmits it to client workstations over the network. This approach enables full utilization of high-resolution displays because the server handles the graphics processing and can output at maximum resolutions without being constrained by client system capabilities or traditional network application limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7925695B2Accessing content related to the exploration and production of geologic resources in a thin client computer network

Publication Date: 2011.04.12 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP

AI summary

Embodiments are provided for accessing content generated by a securely hosted application program for the exploration and production of geologic resources on a thin client system in a client/server computer network. A determination is made of a least utilized node in the client/server computer network for executing an application program selected via the client system. The selected application program is executed on the least utilized node for accessing the content generated by the selected application program on the client system.