Method and apparatus for enabling mobile cluster computing

• US 10,212,254 B1
• Filed: 07/22/2016
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rupaka Mahalingaiah
• Original Assignee: Rupaka Mahalingaiah
• Inventors: Mahalingaiah, Rupaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Parry, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stiltner, Weiwei Y
• Application Number:
  US15/217,579
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 709201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5083 Techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A mechanism that enables multiple Mobile Devices to operate in clusters is provided. Using the mobile cluster mechanism framework provided in this invention, Mobile Devices can execute compute intensive tasks in the field by sharing the task between various devices. The invention also contemplates various options of implementing the cluster mechanism on Mobile Devices. The invention further contemplates solutions for the roaming of Mobile Devices.

Claims

1. A mobile compute device adapted for engaging in cluster computing while in motion, comprising:

a memory configured to store non-transitory computer readable instructions for enabling the mobile compute device to participate in a cluster processing system with other mobile compute devices;

a telecommunication subsystem, configured to communicate with the other compute devices;

at least one automated processor, configured to control the mobile compute device according to a first mode of operation, to;

join a mobile cluster environment established by a master mobile compute device;

receive a request for execution of a computational task through the telecommunication system from the master mobile compute device;

transmit a response to the request to the master mobile compute device;

execute at least a portion of the computational task, under at least partial control of the master mobile compute device; and

dissolve the mobile cluster environment after completion of at least a portion of the computational task.

2. The mobile compute device according to claim 1, wherein the least one automated processor, is further configured to control the mobile compute device according to a second mode of operation, to:

detect other mobile compute devices available for communication through the telecommunication system;

establish a mobile cluster environment comprising the mobile compute device and the other detected configured mobile compute devices;

send a request for execution of a computational task through the telecommunication system to the other mobile compute devices in the mobile cluster environment;

receive a response to the request from the other mobile compute devices;

validate response;

control execution of the computational task, at least in part, by the other mobile compute devices; and

dissolve the mobile cluster environment after completion of at least a portion of the computational task by at least one other mobile compute device.

3. A mobile compute device adapted for engaging in cluster computing while in motion, comprising:

a memory configured to store non-transitory computer readable instructions for enabling the mobile compute device to control a cluster processing system comprising other mobile compute devices;

a telecommunication subsystem, configured to communicate with the other compute devices;

at least one automated processor, configured to control the mobile compute device according to a first mode of operation, to;

detect other mobile compute devices available for communication through the telecommunication system;

establish a mobile cluster environment comprising the mobile compute device and the other detected configured mobile compute devices;

send a request for execution of a computational task through the telecommunication system to the other mobile compute devices in the mobile cluster environment;

receive a response to the request from the other mobile compute devices;

validate response;

control execution of the computational task, at least in part, by the other mobile compute devices; and

dissolve the mobile cluster environment after completion of at least a portion of the computational task by at least one other mobile compute device.

4. The mobile compute device according to claim 3, wherein the least one automated processor, is further configured to control the mobile compute device according to a second mode of operation, to:

join a mobile cluster environment established by a master mobile compute device;

receive a request for execution of a computational task through the telecommunication system from the master mobile compute device;

transmit a response to the request to the master mobile compute device;

execute at least a portion of the computational task, under at least partial control of the master mobile compute device; and

dissolve the mobile cluster environment after completion of at least a portion of the computational task.

5. A mobile clustering method, comprising:

providing a plurality of mobile compute devices, each having mobile clustering functionality;

detecting availability of one or more other mobile compute devices among said plurality of mobile compute devices;

establishing a mobile cluster environment comprising the plurality of available mobile compute devices comprising at least one mobile compute device which is in motion;

receiving at least one request for execution of a computational task;

broadcasting a signal in response to receipt of the at least one request to the plurality of available mobile compute devices;

acknowledging receipt of the broadcast signal by the plurality of mobile compute devices;

determining eligibility of members of the plurality of available mobile compute devices to process at least a portion of the at least one request;

distributing the at least one request to the plurality of mobile compute devices acting in the mobile cluster environment to share the execution of the at least one request,

transmitting a termination signal to dissolve the mobile cluster environment to share the execution of the at least one request.

6. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, wherein at least said broadcasting, determining eligibility and distributing are performed by a master device of the mobile cluster environment.

7. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, wherein each mobile compute device communicates wirelessly.

8. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, wherein the request comprises data processing, further comprising transmitting data to be processed to each of the plurality of mobile compute devices.

9. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising:

establishing a mobile ad hoc communication network between the mobile compute devices; and

altering a network communication path between at least two of the mobile compute devices due to the movement of the at least one mobile compute device which is in motion.

10. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, wherein the mobile clustering environment is tolerant to a departure of at least one mobile compute device during execution of the at least one request.

11. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, wherein the mobile clustering environment is tolerant to an addition of at least one mobile compute device to the mobile cluster environment during execution of the at least one request.

12. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, wherein said receiving, said broadcasting, said acknowledging, said determining eligibility, and said distributing occur concurrently with sharing the execution of at least one prior request.

13. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising periodically transmitting a signal to verify members of the plurality of mobile compute devices.

14. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising executing, by a mobile compute device, a cluster termination process prior to terminating availability for processing requests.

15. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising communicating, by a mobile compute device, a suspend signal to identify the respective mobile compute device as busy and temporarily unavailable for processing requests.

16. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising communicating control signals and data to each eligible mobile compute device.

17. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising:

determining a location of at least one mobile compute device, and

at least one of;

determining eligibility to process at least a portion of the at least one request by the at least one mobile compute device, and

distributing the at least one request to the at least one mobile compute device, selectively in dependence on the determined location.

18. The mobile clustering method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one mobile compute device comprises a global positioning system (GPS), and the at least one mobile compute device transmits its GPS determined location in response to the broadcast signal.

19. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting a motion status from respective ones of the plurality of mobile compute devices; and

terminating shared execution of the execution of the at least one request by at least one mobile compute device selectively in response to the motion status.

20. The mobile clustering method according to claim 5, further comprising:

designating a master mobile compute device from among the plurality of mobile compute devices, the master mobile compute device being configured to remotely control other mobile compute devices; and

designating a plurality of slave mobile compute devices from among the plurality of mobile compute devices, the slave mobile compute devices each being configured to remotely receive and respond to control communications the master mobile compute device.