Checking credentials using a drone

A method, system, and computer program product is disclosed for checking credentials, using a drone. The drone detects a line of people, and the drone can communicate with the base station. The drone can request information from a person on the line for checking credentials of the people in the line with respect to a purpose for forming the line. The method and system captures information about the person, in response to the drone requesting information from the person, and the person providing the requested information. The method and system checks the information with data stored at the base station to verify the person's information with respect to required credentials being related to the purpose of the line. A message is communicated, using the drone, to the person on the line, in response to the checking of the information of the person.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for checking or verifying credentials, using a drone. Often people can be standing in a line or in a queue to enter a venue, or to speak to an administrator at a check-in point to enter a venue or facility. Such situations are common at, for example, an airport, where a line forms for security, or for checking baggage etc. Other venues can include sporting events, conferences, or any public event. Sometimes people can be standing in the wrong line for the service they are waiting for, and do not know they are in the wrong line. In busy public areas (e.g., airports, train stations, conferences, sporting event, public events, etc. . . . ) there can be many different lines within an area, or the lines can become intertwined and a person might unknowingly be in the wrong line. In these instances, a person can waste time, miss a time period to enter a venue (such as missing a flight at an airport), or other such disadvantageous events caused by, at least in part, waiting in an incorrect line. Further, a person may wait on a line, only to find out when they get to a check in point that they do not have the approved credential, or necessary information for entering the venue or proceeding to a next step of a process.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a method and system to reduce the problem of a person waiting on a wrong line, or having the wrong credentials for the line, by using a drone to facilitate checking credentials of a person on the line. Thereby, reducing lost time for a person, increasing the persons efficiency, and enabling the line to move more efficiently.

In one aspect according to the invention, a method, using a drone, for checking credentials includes detecting a line of people and a beginning of the line using a drone. The drone has a base station and is in communication with the base station for checking credentials of the people in the line with respect to a purpose for forming the line. The method detects a person in the line of people, and captures information about the person in response to the drone requesting information from the person and the person providing the requested information. The method checks the information with data, at least in part, stored at the base station to verify the person's information with respect to credentials being related to the purpose of the line. Further, the method includes communicating a message to the person on the line, in response to the checking of the information of the person.

In another aspect according to the present invention, a system for checking credentials, using a drone includes, a computer system comprising: a computer processor, a computer-readable storage medium, and program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage medium being executable by the processor, to cause the computer system to: detect a line of people and a beginning of the line of people using a drone, the drone having a base station and being in communication with the base station for checking credentials of the people in the line with respect to a purpose for forming the line; detect, using the drone, a person in the line of people; capture information about the person using the drone, in response to the drone requesting information from the person and the person providing the requested information; check the information with data, at least in part, stored at the base station to verify the person's information with respect to required credentials being related to the purpose of the line; and communicate a message, using the drone, to the person on the line, in response to the checking of the information of the person.

In another aspect according to the present invention, a computer program product for checking credentials, using a drone, includes the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. The program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method, comprising: detecting a line of people and a beginning of the line of people using a drone, the drone having a base station and being in communication with the base station for checking credentials of the people in the line with respect to a purpose for forming the line; detecting, using the drone, a person in the line of people; capturing information about the person using the drone, in response to the drone requesting information from the person and the person providing the requested information; checking the information with data, at least in part, stored at the base station to verify the person's information with respect to required credentials being related to the purpose of the line; and communicating a message, using the drone, to the person on the line, in response to the checking of the information of the person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a method100(FIG. 2) with reference to a system10(FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided for checking credentials of a person in a line of people, using a drone. The credential can be all or part of information about the person, which is required or suggested for verification for the person, or for the person to continue to a next point of verification, and the information, e.g., credential, is related to a purpose of the line (if the person is in the correct line). In one example a drone can engage persons in sequence in the line to check credentials (or perform a credential check) of all the people in the line. In another example, multiple drones can be used to check credentials of people in sections of the line or in a crowd of people. The credentials can include, but are not limited to, a driver's license, a ticket, a pass, or any other type or kind of information for proof of purchase, entry, exit, invitee list, etc. The above example credentials are samples of information about the person or persons in a line, such information can include identification or specified identification, requested by an administrator, or authority responsible for checking identification or screening people entering a venue. The credentials may be required for verification that the person is in the correct line, or for the person to move past a check point, or for entry into a venue or area. The check point may have a computer for the check-in process with an administrator or an authority facilitating the check-in process. The check point computer can be capable of receiving credentials and/or verification of the credentials from the drone, or the base station computer, or a combination of both, for advanced verification of the person in the line before the person reaches the check point computer.

Referring toFIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a beacon20is designed and configured to transmit a signal or message within a specified range of the beacon to indicate the beginning of a second line40. The beacon can be placed at a known line starting point or beginning. A drone30communicates with the beacon to ascertain the beginning of the line and a purpose of the line. The beginning of the line can be indicated to the drone by the beacon transmitting a signal or message within a specified range of the beacon, thus the beacon transmits to a specified line, in this case, the second line40and its vicinity. The message (which can also be referred to as a transmitted or transmitting signal/message) can be a transmitted using a designated protocol such as a short distance communication (PAN). The transmitted message can be configured to communicate with any device, for example the drone30, within the specified range of the transmission. The beacon20(along with other beacons (not shown)) can be located in a geographical area12, for example, in an area where multiple lines are formed.

In one example, an end or finishing point of a line can be ascertained, for example, by capturing a short period of time of video and evaluating the movement of people. For example, if a person doesn't move but those nearby him are moving in a serialized fashion then the system can determine that the person not moving is not part of the line. Those that follow the same person for a period of time can be assumed to be in a line.

The purpose of the line can be related to, at least in part, the location of the line. For example, a lines location next to a beacon indicating the purpose of the line. Alternatively, a lines location at an entrance to a venue can indicate a purpose of the line as being for entering the venue.

People queued (users42) in the second line may have devices44. Additional users or persons in the line are depicted as users42and devices44, for an N number of users and devices, the total number of users and devices in the line is denoted by device-N and user-N (FIG. 1).

People queued (users46), in a first line47may communicate with another beacon (not shown) or another drone can communicate with a beacon associated with the first line47. Alternatively, the drone30can receive instructions from another beacon for the first line47, after completing a task regarding the second line40, or when there are no more users42, or the second line dissolves for any reason. Users46on the first line may have devices48, respectively. Additional users or persons in the line are depicted as users46and devices48, for an N number of users and devices, the total number of users and devices in the line is denoted by device-N and user-N (FIG. 1).

The beacon can also be referred to as an originating sensor, and for example, be embodied as a device, mobile device, computer, drone, or other unit configured and capable of providing the functionality of the beacon described herein.

Alternatively, or in combination with communicating with the beacon, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone30can communicate with a remote computer22at a base station21via a communications network50, such as the Internet. The computer22can include a database26and a program24. The computer22and program24can provide instructions to the drone along with data stored in the database26.

In general, the drone can include a propulsion system and a power system such as rechargeable batteries, so that the drone can fly to a location, hover, and transmit data to the base station. The drone, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, can also communicate with a person or user42in the second line40. Such communication can include, for example, but are not limited to, a simulated voice (or an audible message such as an audible simulated voice), as in car navigation, a text communicated to a device of the person, a displayed text message on a display of the drone (such as using an LED (light emitting diode), which can scroll a message), or an open communication line to an actual person/customer service representative. In another example, the drone can play a voice recording or digital voice which requests a credential.

Referring toFIG. 2, with reference to the system10shown inFIG. 1, a method100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, includes using a drone for checking credentials of a person in a line or people. Referring to block104, the method includes detecting a line of people, the second line40as shown inFIG. 1, and a beginning of the line using the drone30. As discussed above, the beginning of the line can be indicated using the beacon20. Also, as partially discussed above, the drone can be in communication with the base station21for checking credentials of the people in the line with respect to a purpose for forming the line. For example, it is understood that a credential can be any documentation from a person meeting a threshold criteria for entry, or acceptance, etc., based on the purpose of the line. For example, an airline ticket or boarding pass for boarding a flight. The base station is envisioned as having a database26of data regarding the required credential, and a comparison can be made and the credential verified.

The method further includes detecting a person in the line of people, or a first person in the line, at block108. The detecting of a person by the drone can include a visual device such as a camera on the drone. Such visual identification can be accomplished using, for example, a camera for taking photos or photographing, or filming, of credentials, or documentation presented by a person to analyze the information captured for verification of the credential. In another example, facial recognition can also be used for a verification of identification, and verifying when a person is in the correct line, for example, by checking if the person verified by facial recognition is expected at the check-in point or check point. In another example, wireless technology (or NFC (near-field communication)) can be used to communicate a scanned bar code or a picture of the credential to the drone.

Once the drone detects a person or first person in the line, the drone can proceed to request information from the person, as in block112. The request for information can include the drone identifying itself, for example, by voice simulation, displaying a text, or messaging a text to a user device, that the drone is assisting in identifying data or credentials regarding the person and the line. For example, the drone can request identification or a credential, such as a boarding pass, from a person waiting in a line for check-in or boarding an aircraft. In response to the drone requesting information and the person providing the requested information, the method proceeds to block116.

The drone can then proceed to capture information about the person, as in block116. Capturing information can include the drone identifying itself to the person, for example, using a simulated voice, a text to the person's device, or a text display on the drone. In response to the drone requesting information and the person providing the requested information, the drone captures the information. The information is envisioned to be provided by the person upon request by the drone, voluntarily by the person, or on a voluntary basis, for the purpose of facilitating their check-in and reducing their wait time. Similarly, the drone can request the information, for example, using a simulated voice, a text to the person's device, or a text display on the drone, specifying what credential or documents are being requested form the person on the line.

Further, the drone can request information or the identifying of the person in the line can include at least in part using a verbal command menu initiated by the drone, or a telephone line or a voice line to an administrator at the base station for verbal communications with the person in the line by the administrator at the base station. In another example, the administrator can be at a check point in the venue of the line, and thus communicate with a person on the line in advance of reaching the front of the line at the check point.

The information can be uploaded or scanned by the drone to a computer in the drone, or a remote computer22at the base station21, as in block116. In an alternative embodiment, the information can be viewed using a camera in the drone, but not scanned or uploaded, and the method can proceed to the next step. The information provided by the person in the line and captured using the drone can be readied or prepared for viewing by an administrator or authority, and approved or verified, and not stored.

The method includes checking the information with data, at least in part, stored at the base station to verify the person's information with respect to credentials being related to the purpose of the line, as in block120. The information from the person can include any credential needed for verification related to the purpose of the line. For example, which is not intended to be limiting, a person can be standing in a line at an airport for check-in for a flight. The information can be a boarding pass and/or a driver's license (or another type or kind of ID (Identification)) for verifying the person is in the correct line and for identification as credentials. Such example credentials are samples of information about the person or persons in a line. The credentials may be required for verification that the person is in the correct line, or for the person to move past a check point, or for entry into a venue or area, and/or for identification.

In another example, the drone can be informed of the start of a line at a beacon, or registration desk, or check-in point, for example for last names starting with A-C, or for First Class Passengers. The methods and system of the present disclosure can be applied, for example, but not limited to, an airport, large venues such as amusement parks, sports stadiums, conference registration lines.

Verification or checking credentials can take place at the drone, using a computer in the drone, or at the base station, using the computer at the base station, or the information can be verified using a combination of the both. The information can be checked or verified with data, which at least in part, in stored at the base station computer or database to verify the person's information or credentials with respect to the purpose of the line and/or the credential which the administrator or system requires for the person to be checked-in, admitted, or advance to the next area, or enter the venue. Such checking-in or approval is related to the purpose of the line and check-in area, for example, such as checking in for a flight at an airport. It is understood that the system or administrator of the system or sub-system, or venue owner, who has set-up and necessitated the check-in desk, or area, requires the check-in point for, for example, crowd control, security, legal requirements, etc., and thus has necessitated a line to form for check-in.

The method, using the drone and data at the base station can verify the information or credential(s) of a person and communicate a status for the verification to the person, at block124. Once the credential or information is verified, the method continues to notify the person of the verified information or that other documentation or credentials are needed, and/or that a person may be on the wrong line.

If the credential is verified at block124, the method proceeds to block128.

If the credential is not verified at block124the method proceed to block132. The drone can request another (or new) credential at block132. The new credential can be checked or verified as in block120. If the new credential is verified, at block136, the process can proceed to block128. If the new credential is not verified, the process can proceed to block140. The flow chart inFIG. 2depicts a new credential, however, it is understood that the drone can ask for more credentials if the new credential is not verified, or the drone can request multiple documents or credentials.

A second message can be communicated to the person explain that the new credential was not verified, as in block140. The second message can include, for example, that the credential is not adequate, or the person is not on the correct line, and may suggest another line or course of action, which can include, for example, a person to contact, or a number to call. The process then proceeds to block144.

When the credential is verified at block124, the process proceeds to communicate a message to the person on the line, at block128. The message can include, for example, a communication or statement that the credential are approved or correct, the person is on the correct line. The credential can be uploaded to a verification authority, such as a check in employee at an airport line, or a front desk for checking in so that the credential is available. The method then proceeds to block144.

Regarding communicating messages to the person on the line, the method includes communicating a message to the person on the line in response to checking the information or credential(s) for the person, whether the message is a first message or a second message as discussed above. The message being communicated can include, for example, communicating that the information or credential is verified, or the credential is approved, or the credential is correct for the line or that the credential is not correct for the line, and thus the person is not on the correct line. The message can be communicated, for example, but not limited to, a simulated voice, a message on a display of the drone, or a text message sent to a person's device.

In an alternative embodiment, the information can be viewed using a camera, the information can be verified without scanning or uploading, and a message can be communicated to the person on the line.

Referring toFIG. 3, the flow chart continues fromFIG. 2, the drone can be used to detect another person in the line of people, as in block144. Another person can include a second person, third person, etc., for an N number of people in the line. Using visual detecting, for example, a camera in the drone, the drone can detect another person in the line. The drone can use a measurement of proximity to the first person in the line, and/or a proximity measurement from a beacon to determine another person on the line.

When another person is detected on the line, at block145, the method continues for N number of people on the line, as in block146. When another person is not detected on the line, at block145, the method ends, or the method can proceed to an alternative method200at block204inFIG. 4, which option will be discussed below.

Once the drone detects another person in the line, the drone can proceed to request information from the person, as in block148.

The information is provided by the person in the line and the captured information can be readied or prepared for viewing, or the information can be uploaded or scanned for verifying or checking, as in block152(and similarly to block116inFIG. 2). The verification can take place at the drone, using a computer in the drone, or at the base station, using the computer at the base station, or the information can be verified using a combination of the both. Referring to block156, the information is checked or verified with data, which at least in part, in stored at the base station computer or database to verify the person's information or credentials with respect to the purpose of the line and/or the credential which the administrator or system requires for the person to be checked-in or advance to the next area, or enter the venue (similarly to block120inFIG. 2). Such checking-in or approval is related to the purpose of the line and check-in area, for example, such as checking in for a flight at an airport.

Once the credentials or information have been checked, the method continues to block124ofFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 4, the alternative method200can continue from block145of the method100(FIG. 3), as an alternative to ending the method, when there is not another person in the line. In the method200the drone can be directed to another line by receiving instructions from the base station, to proceed to another line in a venue, as in block204.

The drone can receive information about another line from the base station, including the purpose of the line, and credentials to request, as in block208. The drone can then proceed to the next line or the line instructed to proceed to, as in block212, The next line may be close to a previous line, or can be at a different location in the venue or at another venue.

The drone can continue the process as in block216, as in the method100, continuing at block108of the method100(FIG. 2), and continue to the end of the method100, thereby reaching the end of a line, or receiving instructions to stop, as generalized in block220ofFIG. 4.

The method100can include transmitting a message (e.g., a transmitting signal/message) using a short distance communication protocol using the beacon20, as in block128, to a device of a person in the line. In another example, a start zone area can be defined wherein any line starting in that area is automatically associated with a given purpose (e.g. a 20 ft×20 ft area in front of a check-in desk.

The message can include the purpose of the line, as a text message, and/or a symbol, or other indication of the purpose of the line. A message and the length of the message can vary. For example, at an airport, the message can read, for example, ‘Line for Flight100’, or in another instance ‘check-in line for domestic flights’. The message can also include a timestamp. The timestamp can include the time of arrival in the line of the device and thus the person, and the timestamp can identify the time the message was sent to the device.

The computer shown inFIG. 1, computer22, and computers described in the present disclosure, which can be present, for example, in the beacon, or the drone, can be generically described in more detail, along with computer components, programs, and interactions, for example, servers, programs, and peripheral devices, with respect to the generic computer shown inFIG. 5and described in the present disclosure.

Thereby, the present disclosure as discussed in the embodiments and examples herein, provides embodiments and example for managing people more effectively while in a physical waiting line using an aerial UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)/drone. Various inspection or checking techniques can be used to identify the credentials of parties or persons in a line or within each line. A person waiting on a line can have credential checked and thus receive confirmation that they are on the correct line before spending a large amount of time waiting on a line, and then finding out they are on the wrong line. The drone can initiate a procedure to send the user to the correct line and location. Sometimes people are standing in a wrong waiting line/queue and do not know it. In busy public areas (i.e. airports, train stations, conference registrations, etc. . . . ) there can be many different lines within a small area or the lines can become intertwined and a person might unknowingly be in the wrong line. Thus, the present disclosure provides saving in time and efficiency for time management. The present disclosure provides a method and system for confirming credentials of a person waiting on a line and thereby confirming that the person is on the correct line.

Example of Using a Zone

Referring toFIG. 1, in one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the drone cane requests information from people in a line or otherwise in a defined zone. The zone can be defined using geo-markers or a geo-fence enabled by RFID (radio frequency identification) technology or GPS (global position system) technology. The drone can request information from people in a line defined by a geo-fence or all people in an area defined by a geo-fence.

Additional Examples of Implementation

The method100, can include, at least in part, embodying steps of the method in a computer program stored in the drone, or, parts of the method embodied in a computer program can be stored in a beacon, or a remote computer at a base station or all or in part on a remote server. The steps of the method, at least in part, can also be part of a computer program stored remotely (for example, in a cloud computing environment, or on a remote server), and transmitting to or controlling a beacon (or local beacon), or the drone. And in a further example, the method, at least in part, can be part of a program stored on a drone, or stored remotely and communicating with a drone. In another example, the beacon can be part of or incorporated into a drone, or the drone acts as the beacon. In an alternative, a program, at least in part embodying the method100, can be part of a remote server communicating with the drone, using a communication network, for example, the Internet. In the presently described embodiment shown inFIG. 1, computer components, programs, and interactions of computers and devices are generically shown inFIG. 5and described in the present disclosure.

The computer system in the system10and discussed herein, such as computer22inFIG. 1, or a remote server, can include all or part of a computer system1000and computer1010shown inFIG. 5, which discloses a generic computer system1000and computer1010. It is understood that the above disclosed computers/computer systems and the computer1010are representative or illustrative of many alternative computer devices and are presented here as generic representations for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment discussed above, for illustrative purposes, the method of the present disclosure can be embodied in a computer program1060(FIG. 5) or a software application stored on the computer1010. The computer1010can all or in part represent a computer, for example, the computer22inFIG. 1. The computer22, inFIG. 1, is shown as a remote computer or server which can embody a program incorporating the method of the present disclosure, however, in other embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, a computer program embodying the present method can be part of a computer system running locally in one or more of the illustrated components of the system10shown inFIG. 1(as was discussed hereinabove). Further, a computer program embodying the present method can be cloud based or part of a cloud environment. In one embodiment such a cloud based system or environment can include all or part of the computer system1000(FIG. 5) and cloud based environment components shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Alternative embodiments can include a computer program stored remotely (for example, on a remote server1100(FIG. 5)), and, for example, can be implemented as a service.

Referring toFIG. 5, a system or computer environment1000includes a computer system1010shown in the form of a generic computing device. The method100, for example, may be embodied in a program1060embodied on a computer readable storage device, for example, generally referred to as memory1030and more specifically, computer readable storage medium1050. For example, memory1030can include storage media1034such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), and cache memory1038. The program1060is executable by the processor1020of the computer system1010(to execute program steps, code, or program code). Additional data storage may also be embodied as a database1110which includes data1114. The computer system1010and the program1060shown inFIG. 5are generic representations of a computer and program that may be local to a user, or provided as a remote service (for example, as a cloud based service), and may be provided in further examples, using a website accessible using the communications network1200(e.g., interacting with a network, the Internet, or cloud services). It is understood that the computer system1010also generically represents herein a computer device or a computer included in a device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, etc., or one or more servers, alone or as part of a datacenter. The computer system can include a network adapter/interface1026, and an input/output (I/O) interface(s)1022. The I/O interface1022allows for input and output of data with an external device1074that may be connected to the computer system. The network adapter/interface1026may provide communications between the computer system a network generically shown as the communications network1200.

The computer1010may be described in the general context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The method steps and system components and techniques may be embodied in modules of the program1060for performing the tasks of each of the steps of the method and system. The modules are generically represented inFIG. 5as program modules1064. The program1060and program modules1064can execute specific steps, routines, sub-routines, instructions or code, of the program.

The method of the present disclosure can be run locally on a device such as a mobile device, or can be run a service, for instance, on the server1100which may be remote and can be accessed using the communications network1200. The program or executable instructions may also be offered as a service by a provider. The computer1010may be practiced in a distributed cloud computing environment where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network1200. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 5, the system or computer environment1000includes the computer system1010shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device with illustrative periphery devices. The components of the computer system1010may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units1020, a system memory1030, and a bus1014that couples various system components including system memory1030to processor1020.

The computer1010can include a variety of computer readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by the computer1010(e.g., computer system, or server), and can include both volatile and non-volatile media, as well as, removable and non-removable media. Computer memory1030can include additional computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)1034, and/or cache memory1038. The computer1010may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media, in one example, portable computer readable storage media1072. In one embodiment, the computer readable storage medium1050can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media. The computer readable storage medium1050can be embodied, for example, as a hard drive. Additional memory and data storage can be provided, for example, as the storage system1110(e.g., a database) for storing data1114and communicating with the processing unit1020. The database can be stored on or be part of a server1100. Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus1014by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory1030may include at least one program product which can include one or more program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the present invention.

The method100(FIG. 2) (and methods shown inFIGS. 3 and 4), for example, may be embodied in one or more computer programs, generically referred to as a program1060and can be stored in memory1030in the computer readable storage medium1050. The program1060can include program modules1064. The program modules1064can generally carry out functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein. The one or more programs1060are stored in memory1030and are executable by the processing unit1020. By way of example, the memory1030may store an operating system1052, one or more application programs1054, other program modules, and program data on the computer readable storage medium1050. It is understood that the program1060, and the operating system1052and the application program(s)1054stored on the computer readable storage medium1050are similarly executable by the processing unit1020.

The computer1010may also communicate with one or more external devices1074such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display1080, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the computer1010; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enables the computer1010to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via the Input/Output (I/O) interfaces1022. Still yet, the computer1010can communicate with one or more networks1200such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter/interface1026. As depicted, network adapter1026communicates with the other components of the computer1010via bus1014. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with the computer1010. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers1024, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

It is understood that a computer or a program running on the computer1010may communicate with a server, embodied as the server1100, via one or more communications networks, embodied as the communications network1200. The communications network1200may include transmission media and network links which include, for example, wireless, wired, or optical fiber, and routers, firewalls, switches, and gateway computers. The communications network may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. A communications network may represent a worldwide collection of networks and gateways, such as the Internet, that use various protocols to communicate with one another, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc. A network may also include a number of different types of networks, such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).

In one example, a computer can use a network which may access a website on the Web (World Wide Web) using the Internet. In one embodiment, a computer1010, including a mobile device, can use a communications system or network1200which can include the Internet, or a public switched telephone network (PSTN) for example, a cellular network. The PSTN may include telephone lines, fiber optic cables, microwave transmission links, cellular networks, and communications satellites. The Internet may facilitate numerous searching and texting techniques, for example, using a cell phone or laptop computer to send queries to search engines via text messages (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) (related to SMS), email, or a web browser. The search engine can retrieve search results, that is, links to websites, documents, or other downloadable data that correspond to the query, and similarly, provide the search results to the user via the device as, for example, a web page of search results.

Referring toFIG. 6, an example system1500for use with the embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. The system1500includes a plurality of components and elements connected via a system bus1504(also referred to as a bus). At least one processor (CPU)1510, is connected to other components via the system bus1504. A cache1570, a Read Only Memory (ROM)1512, a Random Access Memory (RAM)1514, an input/output (I/O) adapter1520, a sound adapter1530, a network adapter1540, a user interface adapter1552, a display adapter1560and a display device1562, are also operatively coupled to the system bus1504of the system1500.

One or more storage devices1522are operatively coupled to the system bus1504by the I/O adapter1520. The storage device1522, for example, can be any of a disk storage device (e.g., a magnetic or optical disk storage device), a solid state magnetic device, and so forth. The storage device1522can be the same type of storage device or different types of storage devices. A speaker1532is operatively coupled to system bus1504by the sound adapter1530. A transceiver1542is operatively coupled to system bus1504by the network adapter1540. A display1562is operatively coupled to the system bus1504by the display adapter1560.

One or more user input devices1550are operatively coupled to the system bus1504by the user interface adapter1552. The user input devices1550can be, for example, any of a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, an image capture device, a motion sensing device, a microphone, a device incorporating the functionality of at least two of the preceding devices, and so forth. Other types of input devices can also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. The user input devices1550can be the same type of user input device or different types of user input devices. The user input devices1550are used to input and output information to and from the system1500.

Characteristics are as follows:

Service Models are as follows:

Deployment Models are as follows:

Referring now toFIG. 7, illustrative cloud computing environment2050is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment2050includes one or more cloud computing nodes2010with which local computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone2054A, desktop computer2054B, laptop computer2054C, and/or automobile computer system2054N may communicate. Nodes2010may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment2050to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It is understood that the types of computing devices2054A-N shown inFIG. 7are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes2010and cloud computing environment2050can communicate with any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Hardware and software layer2060includes hardware and software components. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes2061; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers2062; servers2063; blade servers2064; storage devices2065; and networks and networking components2066. In some embodiments, software components include network application server software2067and database software2068.

Virtualization layer2070provides an abstraction layer from which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers2071; virtual storage2072; virtual networks2073, including virtual private networks; virtual applications and operating systems2074; and virtual clients2075.

In one example, management layer2080may provide the functions described below. Resource provisioning2081provides dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing2082provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one example, these resources may include application software licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloud consumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources. User portal2083provides access to the cloud computing environment for consumers and system administrators. Service level management2084provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such that required service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning and fulfillment2085provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer2090provides examples of functionality for which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping and navigation2091; software development and lifecycle management2092; virtual classroom education delivery2093; data analytics processing2094; transaction processing2095; and assessing or identifying the purpose and context of a line of people and communicating to user devices the purpose and context of the line2096.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Likewise, examples of features or functionality of the embodiments of the disclosure described herein, whether used in the description of a particular embodiment, or listed as examples, are not intended to limit the embodiments of the disclosure described herein, or limit the disclosure to the examples described herein. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.