Patent ID: 8788379
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for managing execution of software images, the method comprising: registering, by one or more configured computing systems of a software image execution service, a first software virtual machine image from a first user that is available for execution via the software image execution service, the first software virtual machine image being a bootable image that includes operating system software and at least one application program, the registering including: receiving information for a usage model configured by the first user for the first software virtual machine image, the configured usage model specifying which other users are authorized to initiate execution of the first software virtual machine image, the configured usage model further specifying one or more prices to charge the other users for the execution of the first software virtual machine image that exceed the one or more prices charged by the software image execution service; after the registering of the first software virtual machine image, receiving, by the one or more configured computing systems, an execution request from a second user to initiate execution of the first software virtual machine image, the first user being distinct from the second user; determining, by the one or more configured computing systems, that the second user is authorized to initiate the execution of the first software virtual machine image based at least in part on the configured usage model; executing, by the one or more configured computing systems, the first software virtual machine image on behalf of the second user by loading the first software virtual machine image on one of multiple virtual machines provided by the software image execution service; determining, by the one or more configured computing systems, a first fee to be paid by the second user for the execution of the first software virtual machine image and automatically determining a second fee to be paid to the first user, the second fee being a portion of the first fee, the determining of the first and second fees being based at least in part on the configured usage model; and providing one or more indications of the determined first and second fees.