Distributed computing using wireless mobile devices

• US 20020128001A1
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Computers Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: International Computers Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Shuttleworth, Mark Andrew
• Application Number:
  US10/075,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20020128001A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/451 Code distribution considering CPU load at run-time G06F9/505; load rebalancing G06F9/5083
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/465 Distributed object oriented systems remote method invocation [RMI] G06F9/548
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4843 by program, e.g. task dispatcher, supervisor, operating system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5072 Grid computing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications

Abstract

Mobile wireless devices such a telephones, PDAs and webpads are getting more powerful and have low duty cycles. To exploit this untapped resource, a method is described which allows computing tasks to be (optionally parallelized and) distributed among large numbers of such wireless devices and the cost of such services apportioned accordingly.

Claims

1. A computing method comprising the steps:

(a) receiving requests from customers to perform computing activities;

(b) specifying tasks for performing the requested computing activities;

(c) distributing the tasks over a cellular mobile telephone network to a plurality of wireless mobile devices for execution;

(d) receiving results from the wireless mobile devices by way of the cellular telephone network; and

(e) returning the results to the customers.

2. A method according to claim 1, including the steps:

(a) dividing a computing activity requested by a customer into a plurality of tasks;

(b) distributing the plurality of tasks to a plurality of wireless mobile devices for execution in parallel; and

(c) re-combining the results of the tasks to form an end result for returning to the customer.

3. A method according to claim 1 including the step of charging the customers for performing the computing activities.

4. A method according to claim 2, including the step of crediting the users of the wireless mobile devices with payments for tasks executed by those devices.

5. A method according to claim 1 including the steps:

(a) broadcasting a message over the cellular mobile telephone network to the wireless mobile devices, offering at least one task for execution;

(b) receiving replies from wireless mobile devices that are capable and available to execute the task; and

(c) selecting at least one of the wireless mobile devices that have replied, to execute the task.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the message specifies computing facilities required to perform the task.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein each reply indicates the cost that would be charged by the wireless mobile device for executing the task, and wherein a wireless mobile device is selected to execute the task taking account of the indicated cost.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein each reply also indicates an estimated time required by the wireless mobile device for executing the task, and wherein a wireless mobile device is selected to execute the task on the basis of the best cost/speed trade-off.

9. A method according to claim 1 including the steps:

(a) sending the same task to a plurality of different wireless mobile devices for execution; and

(b) when a result is received from any one of those wireless mobile devices, cancelling the task in the others of those devices.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the wireless mobile devices include mobile telephones and PDAs.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the user of each mobile device can set a preference for when the device is available to accept tasks for execution.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the user of each mobile device can set a preference for how the user is to be paid for tasks executed by the device.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method is performed by means of a scheduling service, which itself is distributed over the wireless mobile devices.

15. Computing apparatus according to claim 14, including:

(a) means for dividing a computing activity requested by a customer into a plurality of tasks;

(b) means for distributing the plurality of tasks to a plurality of wireless mobile devices for execution in parallel; and

(c) means for re-combining the results of the tasks to form an end result for returning to the customer.

16. Computing apparatus according to claim 14, further including:

(a) means for broadcasting a message over the cellular mobile telephone network to the wireless mobile devices, offering at least one task for execution;

(b) means for receiving replies from wireless mobile devices that are capable and available to execute the task; and

(c) means for selecting at least one of the wireless mobile devices that have replied, to execute the task.

14. A computing apparatus for providing a computing bureau service, the apparatus comprising:

(a) means for receiving requests from customers to perform computing activities;

(b) means for specifying tasks for performing the requested computing activities;

(c) means for distributing the tasks over a cellular mobile telephone network to a plurality of wireless mobile devices for execution;

(d) means for receiving results from the wireless mobile devices by way of the cellular telephone network; and

(e) means for returning the results to the customers.