Patent ID: 12206516

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosed herein; however, it can be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the claimed structures and methods that may be embodied in various forms. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of computing, and more particularly to online video conferencing. The following described exemplary embodiments provide a system, method, and program product to, among other things, dynamically limit a user's ability to send or receive streaming video during an online video conference based on an analysis of the user's attention. Therefore, the present embodiment has the capacity to improve the technical field of online video conferencing by providing a system to conserve network bandwidth through selective video capturing and streaming during a web conference based on analyzing a sending user's intention to capture and transmit their video stream to other users and analyzing whether a receiving user's attention (e.g., eye focus) warrants receiving and rendering a transmitted video stream.

As previously described, video conferencing refers to conducting a video conference or video teleconference in which two or more sets of hardware and software interact while simultaneously transmitting and receiving video and audio signals from two or more geographic locations. There are a variety of ways video conferencing may be conducted through a variety of desktop and mobile devices and collaborative meeting applications, as well as collaborative meeting browser extensions. For example, individuals may use web cameras connected to or built into laptops, tablets, or desktop computers. Smartphones and other connected mobile devices equipped with cameras may also be used to connect for video conferences. In such instances, a software-based platform typically is used to transmit the communication over Internet protocols such as TCP/IP. Video conferencing has become an effective interaction and communication tool that enables both small and large-scale companies to reduce travel and operational costs incurred in conducting in-person meetings.

In corporate settings, video conferencing technologies may be used for cost-effective, real-time, and long-distance communication and for augmenting the productivity of various teams based in multiple geographic locations. As such, demand for remote workforce management using video conferencing has increased steadily in recent years. However, as virtual conferences increasingly become a day-to-day occurrence, there are a plurality of influencing factors that may cause poor functioning of video conferencing tools and decrease the quality and effectiveness of a video conference. One such factor of significant influence may be the availability of network bandwidth (i.e., the maximum rate of data transfer across a network path) sufficient to support the demands of a video conference. Streaming video during a video conference may be among the most demanding services in terms of network bandwidth, as a video stream requires a large amount of data to be transmitted/received. The stability and quality of the video conference may fluctuate with the speed and reliability of the data connection, especially where video streams of multiple conference participants are involved. Although the ability of participants to stream video may be restricted by a conference host or the participants themselves, such a restriction must be manually performed. Therefore, it may be advantageous to, among other things, minimize demands on available network bandwidth during a video conference by dynamically restricting a participant's ability to stream video during the conference based on an attention analysis of the participant.

According to at least one embodiment, a user (i.e., a video conference participant) may receive a video stream of another user (i.e., another video conference participant) if it is determined that the user is actively looking at the video stream of the other user. According to at least one embodiment, a camera of a user may be activated, and video of the user may be streamed to other users based on analysis of voice input and eye focus of the user. Only when eye focus of the user is directly on a screen of the video conference while the user is talking, may the camera of the user be continuously activated and streaming video to other users. At all other times, the camera of the user may be disabled. During a time when the camera of the user is activated, still images of the user may be captured. The still images of the user may be transmitted periodically to the other users when the camera of the user is not continuously activated and streaming video to the other users.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The following described exemplary embodiments provide a system, method, and program product to dynamically limit a user's ability to send or receive streaming video during an online video conference.

Referring toFIG.1, an exemplary networked computer environment100is depicted, according to at least one embodiment. The networked computer environment100may include client computing device102A,102B and a server112interconnected via a communication network114. According to at least one implementation, the networked computer environment100may include a plurality of client computing devices102A,102B and servers112, of which only one of each is shown for illustrative brevity. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the client computing device102A,102B and server112may each individually host a bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C. In one or more other embodiments, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may be partially hosted on client computing device102A,102B and server112so that functionality may be separated between the devices.

The communication network114may include various types of communication networks, such as a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), a telecommunication network, a wireless network, a public switched network and/or a satellite network. The communication network114may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. It may be appreciated thatFIG.1provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made based on design and implementation requirements.

Client computing devices102A,102B may include a camera103A,103B, a processor104A,104B and a data storage device106A,106B, respectively, that is enabled to host and run a software program108A,108B and a bandwidth conservation program110A,110B, respectively, and communicate with each other and with the server112via the communication network114, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In one or more embodiments, client computing devices102A,102B may be, for example, a mobile device, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a netbook, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or any type of computing device having a camera and a microphone and capable of running a program and accessing a network. The camera103A,103B may be embedded in or external to the client computing devices102A,102B and may be capable of detecting eye movement and capturing images and video. The microphone105A,105B may be embedded in or external to the client computing devices102A,102B and may be capable of capturing audio output of a user. As will be discussed with reference toFIG.4, the client computing device102A,102B may include internal components402a,402band external components404a,404b, respectively.

The server computer112may be a laptop computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmable electronic device or any network of programmable electronic devices capable of hosting and running a bandwidth conservation program110C and a database116and communicating with the client computing device102A,102B via the communication network114, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In at least one embodiment, the dynamic seating arrangement program110B may be a centralized management system for a seating space. As will be discussed with reference toFIG.4, the server computer112may include internal components402cand external components404c, respectively. The server112may also operate in a cloud computing service model, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The server112may also be located in a cloud computing deployment model, such as a private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, or hybrid cloud.

According to the present embodiment, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may be capable of analyzing a user's voice input and eye focus when participating in an online video conference and determining an attention status of the user. In response to determining the attention status of the user, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may dynamically restrict the user's ability to stream video during the online video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may be integrated within or utilized in conjunction with a collaborative meeting application for online video conferencing. The network bandwidth conservation method is explained in further detail below with respect toFIG.2andFIG.3.

Referring now toFIG.2, an operational flowchart for determining a capability of receiving a video stream in a video stream reception capability process200is depicted according to at least one embodiment. At202, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may monitor eye focus of a user participating in an online video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may be integrated within or utilized in conjunction with a collaborative meeting application (e.g., software program108A) hosting the online video conference and being accessed by the user via client computing device102A. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may track, via camera103A, eye movement of the user and process the tracked eye movement as input to perform eye tracking analysis of the user. In performing the eye tracking analysis of the user, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may identify one or more focus areas (i.e., interest zones) of the user based on their tracked eye movement. The identified focus areas may represent different portions of a screen of the client computing device102A which the user has viewed for more than a threshold amount of focus time (e.g., two seconds). Moreover, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may determine a center of an identified focus area, based on an approximate mapping of the user's gaze to a point on the screen, and the bounds of the focus area may be determined by a k-distance radius from the center. The k-distance may be a pre-defined value set by the user.

According to at least one embodiment, the threshold amount of focus time may be initially pre-defined by the user. However, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may change the threshold amount of focus time based on learned patterns of user eye focus. For example, in a training phase, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may observe user eye focus behavior and apply artificial intelligence (AI) enabled methods of historical analysis on observed user eye focus behavior, which may include an average amount of time the user spends looking at a video feed of another user, an average amount of time the user spends looking at video conference related content (e.g., presentations, graphics, documents), and an average amount of time the user looks away (i.e., changes focus) from a video feed before returning gaze back to the video feed, to learn patterns of user eye focus. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may adapt the threshold amount of focus time accordingly. Additionally, in the training phase, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may also observe, via the microphone105A and the camera103A, user speech behaviors and user activities when participating in a video conference. Speech behaviors may include words, phrases, and sounds voiced by the user before speaking to other conference participants. User activities may include interactions of the user with objects (e.g., glasses, cups, phone, writing instruments) in view of the camera103A during a video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may apply AI methods of machine learning and classification to learn patterns of user speech and user activity which are predictive of a user's intent to speak to participants of a video conference, and predictive of a user's attention after performing an activity. Learned patterns of user eye focus behavior, user speech, and user activity may be stored within the data storage device106A or the database116and may be utilized by the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C, in an implementation phase, as factors in determining a user's ability to receive or transmit a video stream during an online video conference.

Next, at204, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may determine whether the user is focused on a video feed from another user participating in the online video conference (e.g., a user of client computing device102B). A video feed focus flag may be set to true for the user when his or her eyes are focused on a video feed from another user within a current focus area (i.e., an identified focus area which the user is currently viewing) for more than the threshold amount of focus time, even if the video feed is blank. In determining whether the user is focused on a video feed from another user, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may perform a screen analysis to compare objects/content displayed within identified focus areas and identify those focus areas which are displaying objects/content related to the video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may correlate its eye tracking analysis with its screen analysis to verify that the current focus area of the user is displaying content of the video conference (e.g., the video feed from another user). In response to determining the user is not focused on a video feed from another user and the video feed focus flag is set to false (step204, “No” branch), the video stream reception capability process200may return to step202to continue to monitor the eye focus of the user. In response to determining the user is focused on a video feed from another user and the video feed focus flag is set to true (step204, “Yes” branch), the video stream reception capability process200may proceed to step206.

According to another embodiment, in performing the screen analysis, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may also compare objects/content of active windows displayed within the screen of the client computing device102A and identify those active windows which are displaying objects/content related to the video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may correlate its eye tracking analysis with its screen analysis to verify that the current focus area of the user includes an active window displaying objects/content related to the video conference.

At206, in response to determining that the user is focused on a video feed from another user and that the video feed focus flag is set to true, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may allow the user to receive, and thus view, the video stream of the other user via the client computing device102A. Otherwise, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may not allow the user to stream the video feed of the other user. According to another embodiment, in addition to receiving the video stream of the other user, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may also allow the user to receive, and thus view, the video streams of other video conference participants which are within the current focus area of the user. For example, the user may receive the video stream of the other user as well as the video streams immediately adjacent to the video stream of the other user.

Then, at208, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may determine whether the user has changed eye focus from the video feed of the other user. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may continuously track eye movement of the user to determine if the user has changed their gaze from the video feed of the other user for more than the threshold amount of focus time. In response to determining the user has not changed eye focus from the video feed of the other user for more than the threshold amount of focus time (step208, “No” branch), the video stream reception capability process200may return to step206to continue to receive the video stream of the other user. In response to determining the user has changed eye focus from the video feed of the other user for more than the threshold amount of focus time (step208, “Yes” branch), the video stream reception capability process200may proceed to step210.

At210, in response to determining that the user has not looked at the video feed of the other user for more than the threshold amount of focus time, bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may terminate reception of the video stream of the other user and thus prevent the user from viewing the video feed of the other user via the client computing device102A. The above steps of video stream reception capability process200may be applied to each video stream the user receives from other users participating in the online video conference.

Referring now toFIG.3, an operational flowchart for determining a capability of transmitting a video stream in a video stream transmission capability process300is depicted according to at least one embodiment. At302, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may monitor eye focus and voice input of a user participating in an online video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may be integrated within or utilized in conjunction with a collaborative meeting application (e.g., software program108B) hosting the online video conference and being accessed by the user via client computing device102B. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may track, via camera103B, eye movement of the user and process the tracked eye movement as input to perform eye tracking analysis of the user, as described above. Furthermore, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may receive audio of the user, captured via microphone105B, and analyze the received audio to determine if the user intends to speak to other conference participants (e.g., a user of client computing device102A). In analyzing the received user audio, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C, may apply natural language processing (NLP) techniques to identify learned patterns of user speech (e.g., words, word phrases, sounds) typically voiced by the user before speaking to other conference participants.

Then, at304, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may determine whether the user is focused on a screen of the online video conference while speaking at the same time. A conference screen focus flag may be set to true for the user when his or her eyes are focused on a screen, or screens, where the video conference is being displayed. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may perform screen analysis, as described above, to identify a screen, or screens, of the online video conference. Additionally, a voice detection flag may be set to true for the user when his or her voice is detected to be speaking towards the screen, or screens, of the video conference. In response to determining that the conference screen focus flag is set to false (i.e., the user is not focused on a screen of the video conference), or that the voice detection flag is set to false (i.e., the user is not speaking towards a screen of the video conference), the video stream transmission capability process300may return (step304, “No” branch) to step302to continue to monitor the eye focus and voice input of the user. In response to determining that the conference screen focus flag is set to true (i.e., the user is focused on a screen of the video conference), and the voice detection flag is set to true (i.e., the user is speaking towards a screen of the video conference), the video stream transmission capability process300may proceed (step304, “Yes” branch) to step306.

At306, in response to determining that both the conference screen focus flag is set to true and the voice detection flag is set to true, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may enable the camera103B to continuously capture real-time video of the user and stream the real-time video of the user to the other video conference participants (e.g., a user of client computing device102A). Only when both flags are set to true (i.e., the user is focused on a screen of the video conference and speaking towards the screen at the same time) may the user have the ability to transmit their video stream to other participants of the online video conference. Otherwise, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may disable the user's ability to stream his or her video feed to other users. Additionally, while the camera103B is enabled to capture and stream real-time video of the user, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may capture, via the camera103B, one or more still images of the user in an engaged state (i.e., a state in which the user is talking and looking at a screen of the video conference). The captured still images of the user may be stored within the data storage device106B or the database116.

Then, at308, the bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may determine whether the user has changed eye focus from a screen of the video conference or has stopped speaking towards a screen of the video conference. The bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may continuously track eye movement of the user to determine if the user has changed their gaze from a screen of the video conference, as well as continuously monitor audio of the user to determine if the user is speaking. In response to determining that the user has not changed eye focus from a screen of the video conference), and that the user is still speaking towards a screen of the video conference, the video stream transmission capability process300may return (step308, “No” branch) to step306to continue to capture real-time video of the user and stream the real-time video of the user to the other conference participants. In response to determining that the user has changed eye focus from a screen of the video conference), or that the user has stopped speaking towards a screen of the video conference, the video stream transmission capability process300may proceed (step308, “Yes” branch) to step310.

At310, in response to determining that the user has either stopped looking at a screen of the video conference or has stopped speaking, the network bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may prevent the camera103B from continuously capturing real-time video of the user and prevent streaming of real-time video of the user to the other conference participants. In lieu of streaming the user's real-time video to other video conference participants, the network bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C may periodically transmit one or more still images of the user, captured at step306, to the other video conference participants (e.g., a user of client computing device102A) so that they may see relatively recent pictures of the user whose video stream has been disabled.

It may be appreciated thatFIGS.2and3provide only an illustration of one implementation and do not imply any limitations with regard to how different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made based on design and implementation requirements.

FIG.4is a block diagram400of internal and external components of the client computing devices102A,102B, and the server112depicted inFIG.1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated thatFIG.4provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made based on design and implementation requirements.

The data processing system402,404is representative of any electronic device capable of executing machine-readable program instructions. The data processing system402,404may be representative of a smart phone, a computer system, PDA, or other electronic devices. Examples of computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may represented by the data processing system402,404include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices.

The client computing devices102A,102B, and the server112may include respective sets of internal components402a,b,cand external components404a,b,cillustrated inFIG.4. Each of the sets of internal components402include one or more processors420, one or more computer-readable RAMs422, and one or more computer-readable ROMs424on one or more buses426, and one or more operating systems428and one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices430. The one or more operating systems428, the software program108A and the network bandwidth conservation program110A in the client computing device102A, the software program108B and the network bandwidth conservation program110B in the client computing device102B, and the network bandwidth conservation program110C in the server112are stored on one or more of the respective computer-readable tangible storage devices430for execution by one or more of the respective processors420via one or more of the respective RAMs422(which typically include cache memory). In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, each of the computer-readable tangible storage devices430is a magnetic disk storage device of an internal hard drive. Alternatively, each of the computer-readable tangible storage devices430is a semiconductor storage device such as ROM424, EPROM, flash memory or any other computer-readable tangible storage device that can store a computer program and digital information.

Each set of internal components402a,b,calso includes a R/W drive or interface432to read from and write to one or more portable computer-readable tangible storage devices438such as a CD-ROM, DVD, memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk or semiconductor storage device. A software program, such as the network bandwidth conservation program110A,110B,110C, can be stored on one or more of the respective portable computer-readable tangible storage devices438, read via the respective R/W drive or interface432, and loaded into the respective hard drive430.

Each set of internal components402a,b,calso includes network adapters or interfaces436such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fi interface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired or wireless communication links. The software program108A and the network bandwidth conservation program110A in the client computing device102A, the software program108B and the network bandwidth conservation program110B, and the network bandwidth conservation program110C in the server112can be downloaded to the client computing devices102A,102B, and the server112from an external computer via a network (for example, the Internet, a local area network or other, wide area network) and respective network adapters or interfaces436. From the network adapters or interfaces436, the software program108A and the network bandwidth conservation program110A in the client computing device102A, the software program108B and the network bandwidth conservation program110B in the client computing device102B, and the network bandwidth conservation program110C in the server112are loaded into the respective hard drive430. The network may comprise copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.

Each of the sets of external components404a,b,ccan include a computer display monitor444, a keyboard442, and a computer mouse434. External components404a,b,ccan also include touch screens, virtual keyboards, touch pads, pointing devices, and other human interface devices. Each of the sets of internal components402a,b,calso includes device drivers440to interface to computer display monitor444, keyboard442, and computer mouse434. The device drivers440, R/W drive or interface432, and network adapter or interface436comprise hardware and software (stored in storage device430and/or ROM424).

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes a detailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any other type of computing environment now known or later developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or interaction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with the service's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumer generally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail). The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by several organizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an organization selling cloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising a network of interconnected nodes.

Referring now toFIG.5, illustrative cloud computing environment50is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment50comprises one or more cloud computing nodes100with which local computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone54A, desktop computer54B, laptop computer54C, and/or automobile computer system54N may communicate. Nodes100may 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 environment50to 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 devices54A-N shown inFIG.5are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes100and cloud computing environment50can communicate with any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now toFIG.6, a set of functional abstraction layers600provided by cloud computing environment50is shown. It should be understood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shown inFIG.6are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers and corresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer60includes hardware and software components. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes61; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers62; servers63; blade servers64; storage devices65; and networks and networking components66. In some embodiments, software components include network application server software67and database software68.

Virtualization layer70provides an abstraction layer from which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage72; virtual networks73, including virtual private networks; virtual applications and operating systems74; and virtual clients75.

In one example, management layer80may provide the functions described below. Resource provisioning81provides dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing82provide 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 comprise application software licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloud consumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources. User portal83provides access to the cloud computing environment for consumers and system administrators. Service level management84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such that required service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning and fulfillment85provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer90provides 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 navigation91; software development and lifecycle management92; virtual classroom education delivery93; data analytics processing94; transaction processing95; and network bandwidth conservation96. Network bandwidth conservation96may relate to conserving network bandwidth in a collaborative meeting application for online video conferencing.

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. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope 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.