Cloud computing system and method utilizing unused resources of non-dedicated devices
First Claim
1. In a system comprisinga plurality of subscriber systems provided by a first entity, each subscriber system being disposed at a different location, and each different location being associated with a different subscriber to a subscriber service that is provided by the first entity, each subscriber system of the plurality of subscriber systems comprising at least one of a processing resource and a non-volatile storage resource, each subscriber system of the plurality of subscriber systems in operative communication with a server system of a cloud-computing provider via a communication network, each subscriber system configured to perform a primary function of delivering the subscriber service that is provided by the first entity, and wherein the primary function is not providing a cloud-computing service to a second entity, and each subscriber system performing its primary function of delivering the subscriber service to an associated subscriber, wherein the associated subscriber is not the first entity or the second entity, a method comprising;
- accessing the plurality of subscriber systems by the cloud-computing provider to determine an available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource that is not being used by at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems for performing the primary function;
adding to the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems, via the communication network, a task comprising the cloud-computing service requested by the second entity;
performing the cloud-computing service for the second entity using at least a portion of the available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource that is not being used by the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems, wherein at least one of the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems performs the primary function thereof during a first period of time, and wherein the cloud-computing service is performed during a second period of time that at least partially overlaps with the first period of time;
receiving from the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems, via the communication network, a result of executing the task; and
logging an activity record for performance of the cloud-computing service based on an amount of the available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource consumed during performance of the cloud-computing service.
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Abstract
In accordance with a method a plurality of subscriber systems are provided, the systems being coupled via a Wide Area Network (WAN) and comprising a first subscriber system. The first subscriber system has processing and non-volatile storage and is suitably programmed for providing a subscriber service to a first subscriber. The first system is disposed in an unsecured location, which is associated with the first subscriber. Subsequently, the subscriber service is provided to the first subscriber. Separately, a task is provided to the first subscriber system via the WAN and is executed on the first subscriber system. An activity record for the execution of the task is logged, based on an amount of at least one of the processing and the non-volatile storage consumed on the first subscriber system during execution of the task.
27 Citations
25 Claims
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1. In a system comprising
a plurality of subscriber systems provided by a first entity, each subscriber system being disposed at a different location, and each different location being associated with a different subscriber to a subscriber service that is provided by the first entity, each subscriber system of the plurality of subscriber systems comprising at least one of a processing resource and a non-volatile storage resource, each subscriber system of the plurality of subscriber systems in operative communication with a server system of a cloud-computing provider via a communication network, each subscriber system configured to perform a primary function of delivering the subscriber service that is provided by the first entity, and wherein the primary function is not providing a cloud-computing service to a second entity, and each subscriber system performing its primary function of delivering the subscriber service to an associated subscriber, wherein the associated subscriber is not the first entity or the second entity, a method comprising; -
accessing the plurality of subscriber systems by the cloud-computing provider to determine an available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource that is not being used by at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems for performing the primary function; adding to the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems, via the communication network, a task comprising the cloud-computing service requested by the second entity; performing the cloud-computing service for the second entity using at least a portion of the available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource that is not being used by the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems, wherein at least one of the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems performs the primary function thereof during a first period of time, and wherein the cloud-computing service is performed during a second period of time that at least partially overlaps with the first period of time; receiving from the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems, via the communication network, a result of executing the task; and logging an activity record for performance of the cloud-computing service based on an amount of the available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource consumed during performance of the cloud-computing service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a system comprising
a Local Area Network (LAN) provided by a first entity within a hotel property having a plurality of guest rooms, the LAN connected to a Wide Area Network (WAN), and a plurality of subscriber systems provided by the first entity, each subscriber system disposed within a different guest room of the plurality of guest rooms, each subscriber system connected to the LAN and comprising at least one of a processing resource and a non-volatile storage resource, each subscriber system configured to perform a primary function of providing a subscriber service to a user that is associated therewith, and wherein the primary function is not providing a cloud-computing service to a second entity, and wherein the associated user is not the first entity or the second entity a method comprising: -
receiving user data from the second entity via the WAN; accessing the plurality of subscriber systems by a cloud-computing provider to determine an available aggregate amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource that is not being used by at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems for performing the primary function; adding the received user data to the at least two subscriber systems of the plurality of subscriber systems via the LAN; performing a cloud-computing service for the second entity comprising at least one of processing the user data and storing the user data using at least a portion of an available amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource of each one of the at least two subscriber systems, wherein at least one of the at least two subscriber systems performs the primary function thereof during a first period of time, and wherein the cloud-computing service is performed during a second period of time that at least partially overlaps with the first period of time; and logging an activity record for performance of the cloud-computing service based on an amount of the at least one of the processing resource and the non-volatile storage resource consumed during performance of the cloud-computing service. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification