Patent Application
20110302302
The present invention relates to a technique for constructing a mobile cloud, and more particularly, to a system for adaptive mobile cloud service using a private virtual instance (hereinafter, referred to as “PVI”) and a construction method thereof suitable for generating a PVI that maintains a user's software and an execution state thereof and for allowing equal access to the generated PVI through an Internet protocol television (IPTV), a personal computer (PC), a smart phone and the like.
Generally, in a cloud computing system, it is required to provide an independent virtual system to a user and manage the same. When the virtual system is provided to the user, a server needs to provide immediacy and scalability, and a user's usage environment needs to be maintained.
A conventional virtual system serviced by a cloud service provider is provided as will be described below. The cloud service provider allocates to a user a desired number of central processing units (CPUs), a desired memory size, a desired disc size and a desired network bandwidth based on a service level agreement (SLA), and the user selects an operating system. The cloud service provider generates an IP and a virtual system based on the user's selection, provides the generated IP and virtual system to the user, and receives the cost. Then, the user installs an application software on the virtual system and constructs usage environment.
Although the virtual system is provided to the user, it is still required for the user to install the application software on the virtual system and construct the usage environment suitable for the user as in the case of using a general hardware.
Further, it is difficult to ensure a private virtual system for the user under the circumstances in which the network connection between the user and the virtual system is unstable. Moreover, the cloud service provider needs to manage the virtual system without recognizing whether or not the virtual system is being used by the user and whether the network connection between the user and the virtual system is connected or disconnected.
Therefore, in the cloud computing system, a hardware resource, an operating system and an application software which are requested by the user according to the contract between the user and the SLA need to be provided together with the virtual system. Furthermore, the execution state of the virtual system needs to be maintained in order to ensure the private environment of the user even when the network is disconnected. Besides, it is required to allow access to the private virtual system through different terminal devices.
In view of the above, the present invention provides a method for constructing a private virtual instance (PVI) for maintaining a hardware resource, an operating system, an application software and a user's execution state based on a user's demand in a cloud computing system.
Further, the present invention provides an adaptive mobile cloud system using a PVI capable of uniquely managing the PVI and allowing equal access to the private virtual system through one or more types of terminals (IPTV, PC, smart phone and a mobile internet device (MID)) and a construction method thereof.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptive mobile cloud system using a private virtual instance (PVI) including: a PVI automatic provisioning for generating a PVI by providing a hardware resource, an operating system and an application which are requested by a user terminal; a PVI image manager for storing and managing an image of an execution state of the PVI by checking a state of the PVI; a mobile interface adaptor that is adaptively operated according to an input/output device and resources of the user terminal; and an adaptive application manager for executing an application by adaptive cooperation between the user terminal and the PVI according to the resource of the user terminal.
In accordance with an another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for constructing an adaptive mobile cloud system using a private virtual instance (PVI) including: driving a mobile interface adaptor adaptively according to input/output device and resources of a user terminal; generating a PVI by providing a hardware resource, an operating system and an application which are requested by the user terminal; storing and managing an image of an execution state of the PVI by checking a state of the PVI; and executing an application by adaptive cooperation between the user terminal and the PVI according to the resources of the user terminal.
In accordance with the present invention, when a virtual system is used in a cloud system, a user is provided with a private virtual computer containing a desired application software by only a simple selection without an effort to install the application software, and the private virtual instance can be maintained without damage even when a network is unstable or abnormally terminated.
Moreover, a user can use a private virtual computer by accessing the same computer through various types of terminals without transferring data or changing execution environment.
Hence, a telework can be implemented while having an environment same as that of the office, since an operation can be performed anytime and anywhere by accessing the private virtual instance installed in the cloud system such as a mobile cloud center.
The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
a and 5b are flowcharts showing operations of a PVI image manager shown in
Embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
In the following description of the present invention, if the detailed description of the already known structure and operation may confuse the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The following terms are terminologies defined by considering functions in the embodiments of the present invention and may be changed operators intend for the invention and practice. Hence, the terms should be defined throughout the description of the present invention.
Combinations of respective blocks of block diagrams attached herein and respective steps of a sequence diagram attached herein may be carried out by computer program instructions. Since the computer program instructions may be loaded in processors of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, the instructions, carried out by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create devices for performing functions described in the respective blocks of the block diagrams or in the respective steps of the sequence diagram. Since the computer program instructions, in order to implement functions in specific manner, may be stored in a memory useable or readable by a computer aiming for a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, the instruction stored in the memory useable or readable by a computer may produce manufacturing items including an instruction device for performing functions described in the respective blocks of the block diagrams and in the respective steps of the sequence diagram. Since the computer program instructions may be loaded in a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, instructions, a series of processing steps of which is executed in a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to create processes executed by a computer so as to operate a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, may provide steps for executing functions described in the respective blocks of the block diagrams and the respective steps of the sequence diagram.
Moreover, the respective blocks or the respective steps may indicate modules, segments, or some of codes including at least one executable instruction for executing a specific logical function(s). In several alternative embodiments, it is noticed that functions described in the blocks or the steps may run out of order. For example, two successive blocks and steps may be substantially executed simultaneously or often in reverse order according to corresponding functions.
An embodiment of the present invention constructs a private virtual instance (PVI) for maintaining a hardware resource, an operating system, an application software and a user's execution state in accordance with a user's demand in a mobile cloud computing system, manages the constructed PVI uniquely, and allows equal access to the PVI through one or more types of terminals (IPTV, PC, smart phone, MID and the like).
Here, the PVI provides an instance in which an application is installed in accordance with a user's demand, unlike a conventional virtual machine (VM), and serves as a user's unique space that can be seen and executed adaptively according to performance of an access terminal and an input/output device.
Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
Generally, a hardware resource and a user-selected operating system are provided on a private virtual machine, and the virtual machine is managed by a user. The PVI 100 of the present invention performs provisioning of the hardware resource 108 and the operating system unit 106, similar to the virtual machine. In addition, the PVI 100 performs provisioning of an application or a service selected by a user through the private application unit 104, and provides a user instance received from a resource pool 110 including a CPU, a memory, a disc, a network, utilities, and an application software.
Further, the PVI manages the execution state unit 102 for providing a private virtual system that is not damaged even when reconnection occurs after user's abnormal shutdown.
The PVI 100 shown in
Referring to
The mobile interface adaptor 200 checks an input/output (I/O) device of a user terminal and determines a resource state of the user terminal (which resource is provided in the user terminal). Moreover, the mobile interface adaptor 200 can automatically recognize different I/O devices of a plurality of heterogeneous terminals owned by a user and adapt an interface thereto.
The PVI image manager 202 checks the states of the PVIs 208 on a user basis and stores images of the execution states thereof. The PVI image manager 202 provides the stored image when reconnected later. Therefore, when reconnection (nth connection) occurs, the last execution state of the PVI 208 of previous connection (n−1th connection) is identified using a stored image and thus a state of the user terminal can be analyzed. The PVI image manager 202 stores the images of PVIs 208 by monitoring and classifying the states of the PVIs, e.g., stop, pause, operation, abnormal disconnection, and long-term non-usage. When a user is reconnected, the PVI image manager 202 analyzes the user terminal and provides a PVI 208 adapted to a type and performance of the user terminal.
The PVI automatic provisioning 204 generates and provides a PVI on a user basis in accordance with a user's demand.
The adaptive application manager 206 performs adaptive cooperation between terminals and PVIs 208 based on the terminal state in the mobile interface adaptor 200. In other words, in order to allow a user to access the same PVI 208 through a plurality of heterogeneous terminals owned by the user, the applications in the PVI 208 are automatically distributed to the terminals and the PVIs 208 and cooperatively executed according to the performance of the user terminals.
The resource pool 210 monitors computer resources of the system and manages a CPU, a memory, a hard disc, a network bandwidth, utilities and an application software license which are currently available. Moreover, the resource pool 110 distributes resources by a user's demand.
Referring to
If it is determined in the step 302 that the I/O resource and other resources (e.g., calculation ability, battery and the like) are constrained, the process proceeds to step 304 and determines the user terminal as a type having constraints of an I/O interface and resources (e.g., as a smart phone type). Next, in step 306, an input interface adaptor of the user terminal, i.e., of the smart phone is driven. Then, in step 308, the user terminal is set to a resource cooperative mode. In step 310, the output device of the user terminal is changed. Herein, the resource cooperative mode refers to a mode that executes an active application depending on resources of the user terminal.
Meanwhile, if it is determined in the step 302 that the input resource and other resources (e.g., calculation ability, battery and the like) are constrained, the process proceeds to step 312 and determines the user terminal as a type having constrains of an input interface and resources (e.g., as a IPTV or STB (set top box) type). Then, in step 314, an input interface adaptor of the TV terminal is driven. In step 316, the user terminal is set to the resource cooperative mode.
Meanwhile, if it is determined in the step 302 that the I/O resource and other resources of the user terminal are sufficient, the process proceeds to step 318 and determines the user terminal as a computer (PC) type having full interface.
Referring to
Thereafter, in a state where the private virtual machine of the user has been booted, it is checked in step 408 whether or not a request for generating application exists on the private virtual machine of the user. If the request for generating application exists, the process proceeds to step 410 and the PVI automatic provisioning 204 performs provisioning of the application (application software) requested by the user in the private virtual machine. Next, the process proceeds to step 412. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step 408 that the request for generating application does not exist on the private virtual machine of the user, the process proceeds to step 412 to register a PVI lastly generated in an image pool within the PVI image manager 202. Then, in step 414, the PVI is provided to the user.
The provided PVI is stored in the image pool while maintaining the user's execution state.
Referring to
Then, in step 508, a state of the PVI is checked. If it is checked that a session is connected in a state where the PVI is being executed, the process returns to the step 500 to perform continuous monitoring.
However, if it is checked in the step 508 that the session is disconnected in a state where the PVI is being executed, the process proceeds to step 510 to backup the execution snapshot of the PVI which has been generated in the step 506, and then proceeds to step 512. If it is checked in the step 508 that the PVI has been normally terminated by the user, the process proceeds directly to step 512. In the step 512, a PVI image of the execution snapshot is indexed, and in step 514, the PVI image is stored. In step 516, the PVI image is registered together with the state information of the PVI in the image pool within the PVI image manager 202 by using a user ID.
Referring to
If it is determined that the output of the terminal is constrained from the analysis result in the step 554, the process proceeds to step 556 to execute on the terminal an adaptive mode for the PVI output, and then proceeds to step 558. If the constraint of the output device of the terminal is detected in the step 556, a device driver may be installed at the terminal. Here, said executing the adaptive mode for the PVI output on the terminal may include, e.g., making a screen smaller or making an interface simple if the terminal is a smart phone.
However, if it is determined that the output of the terminal is not constrained from the analysis result in the step 554, the process proceeds to step 558 and determines whether or not the input of the terminal is constrained. If it is determined in the step 558 that the input of the terminal is constrained, the process proceeds to step 560 to check the constraint of the input device of the terminal and install a device driver. Thereafter, the PVI input device adaptor is operated to perform an adaptive execution mode. Meanwhile, if it is determined in the step 558 that the input of the terminal is not constrained, the process proceeds directly to step 562.
Next, in the step 562, it is determined whether or not the resource of the terminal is constrained. If the resource of the terminal is constrained, the process proceeds to step 564 and set the application in the PVI to a dynamic cooperative execution mode between the user terminal and the PVI. The PVI which is reset is provided to the user in step 566. If the resource of the terminal is not constrained in the step 562, the process proceeds directly to the step 566 and the PVI is provided to the user.
Referring to
When the dynamic cooperative execution mode is set in the adaptive application manager 206, an application coordinator 600 analyzes the constraint of the resource of the connected user terminal. For a specific application, Hosts for execution are dynamically operated depending on their resources regarding an input module 602, an output module 604, a disc I/O module 606, and user compute modules 608 mainly using a CPU and a memory resource. In other words, if the terminal has sufficient resources, all compute modules 608 are executed on a terminal, and if the terminal has constrained resources, some of the compute modules 608 are executed on the PVI.
For example, in a terminal such as a computer having a sufficient resource, most of operations can be executed on the terminal without constraint. In a case of a terminal such as an IPTV/STB having a constrained input device, an input module suitable for the IPTV/STB is driven, and the user compute modules 608 may perform an application in a cooperative mode between the terminal and the PVI. Further, in a case of a terminal such as a smart phone having a constrained I/O device and a constrained compute resource, an adaptive module is driven for the I/O device of the terminal, and the compute modules 608 may variably change the position of execution between the terminal and the PVI according to the current state of the terminal.
Hence, the embodiment of the present invention can be used for constructing a mobile cloud system, a ubiquitous environment that is accessed by various terminals, or a 3-screen (IPTV, PC, smart phone) cloud system.
As described above, the adaptive mobile cloud system using a PVI and the construction method thereof in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention construct and uniquely manage a PVI for maintaining a hardware resource, an operating system, an application software and a user's execution state based on a user's demand in a mobile cloud computing system and allow equal access to the PVI through one or more heterogeneous terminals (IPTV, PC, smart phone, MID and the like).
While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments, various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents without being limited to the above-described embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2010-0052999 | Jun 2010 | KR | national |
| 10-2010-0133900 | Dec 2010 | KR | national |
