CA3124385A1

CA3124385A1 - Cloud computing system utilizing powerline networking technology

Info

Publication number: CA3124385A1
Application number: CA3124385A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Sinisa Medic
Original assignee: Skygrid Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Skygrid Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2021-07-13
Filing date: 2021-07-13
Publication date: 2023-01-13

Abstract

A cloud computer system comprising a cloud environment, a hub configured for data communication with the cloud environment through an internet connection, the hub further having a first powerline assembly to transmit and receive data through a user's local electrical circuit to a second powerline assembly, the monitor having a first processing unit configured for transmitting data to and from the second powerline assembly, the monitor further having a second processing unit in communication with the first processing unit, the second processing unit configured to convert data received from the first processing unit for projection onto the display, and a input receiving means for receiving user input data.

Description

CLOUD COMPUTING SYSTEM UTILIZING POWERLINE NETWORKING
TECHNOLOGY
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to cloud and local computing systems.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical computers need to be physically upgraded as software becomes ever more complex and the need for more CPU power increases. As more computer power becomes necessary, the hardware that is designed to run the programs and software need more processing power to operate. Furthermore, typical computers degrade and slow down over time due to the inherent limitations that are built into the hardware. These factors are what cause system failures and have unexpectedly created an end date, or expiry, by which the computer will no longer be able to function except to perform basic tasks such as to browse the internet, access e-mail or run basic computer programs and software. What is desired is a system which can overcome many of these inherent limitations of existing computer systems.
SUMMARY

[0003] It may be an object, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, to provide a local user terminal with sufficient processing power that the end user will not have to upgrade or update. This is completed by maintaining and upgrading the cloud environment, as the technology advances, to which each end user's terminal connects to. It is an object to allow the end user to gain access to a virtually unlimited powerful computer for processing high-usage computer programs such as digital modeling, multi-dimensional renderings, media editing and every other such programs that demand heavy CPU or GPU loads to operate smoothly. It is another object of the present invention to eliminate hardware incompatibility errors or insufficient computer resources to run any software.

[0004] Provided according to one embodiment is a computing system having a cloud environment and a local computing terminal comprising a hub and a monitor.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13

[0005] The local computing terminal may include a hub for connection to the internet and access to the cloud environment. The hub communicates with the cloud environment through an internet connection, which may be provided by the user's internet service provider. The hub may be connected to the internet through a standard internet connection such as an Ethernet, Coaxial, Telephone or Fiber- Optic cable in connection with a modem or without a modem.

[0006] Also included with the hub is a first powerline assembly which may be integral with the hub itself. The first powerline assembly may have two primary functions: 1) to power the hub utilizing a standard electrical plug, and 2) to transfer data, which may be achieved using powerline networking technology, which allows for transfer of data over a user's local electrical circuit. The powerline technology may allow two way transfer of encrypted data within the user's location.

[0007] The data that is transmitted through the user's local electrical circuit is sent to a monitor, through a second powerline assembly found within or in close proximity to the monitor, which is also powered by and connected to the local electrical circuit. Due to powerline networking technology employed, the monitor can be placed anywhere within the user's location that is connected to the local electrical circuit. For example, the hub may be located on one floor in close proximity to the user's internet cable, and the monitor may be placed on another floor within the same building where the user's office is located. As long as the hub and the monitor are both connected to the same electrical circuit, they will be in communication with each other.
Due to the nature of the powerline technology, the communication signal between the hub and monitor will not significantly degrade due to distance, as long as the two devices are within the same circuit.

[0008] The monitor may comprise a plurality of built-in circuit boards or processing units, a first circuit board which may comprise a second powerline assembly for sending a communication signal to and from the first powerline assembly of the hub through the powerline connection, the communication signal which may include encrypted and compressed data, as well as IP address information for verification with the cloud environment. A second circuit board or processing unit within the monitor may Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13 be used to receive data from the first circuit board and to decode, de-encrypt or otherwise convert information into video data for projecting onto the display of the monitor. Both circuit boards within the monitor may be low powered chips with no substantial computing power, as the heavy processing for the user will be performed remotely within the cloud environment. Note that other combinations of circuit boards or processor units may be possible, as long as they can perform the functions of transmitting information to and from the hub, and decoding the relevant information into graphical data for display.

[0009] Further connectable to the monitor may be peripherals to allow the user to control the device, such as a keyboard and mouse. The keyboard and mouse may be in wireless communication with the monitor through a radiofrequency or Bluetooth connection. The input data is then processed by the monitor through one of the circuit boards, transmitted to the hub through the business or home electrical circuit, which then sends the signal to the cloud environment through an internet connection.
The monitor may also include additional ports which allow additional connections to local peripherals or displays, such as through the USB interface, or connection to additional displays using HDMI or DisplayPort technology.

[0010] The cloud environment is a remote server system with at least one computing unit, having sufficient processing power to operate an operating system for one or more remote users. The processing power of the cloud environment may be upgraded or otherwise scaled up depending on the number of users and their computing needs. The cloud environment includes and is responsible for maintaining the operating system, software, user data, and also hardware components such as the processor, graphics card, memory (RAM) and storage. Where more processing power is required, the hardware components may be expanded such as by processor, memory or storage upgrades, or the number of computing units may be increased. The cloud environment may also be configured to optionally provide technical support for a user who encounters technical issues with the system.

[0011] The cloud environment may authenticate each end user using a static IP
address which may be embedded into one of the local monitor and/or hub, and which is Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13 present in all communications between the user and the cloud environment. This ensures security of data transmission over the cloud, as the data and information for one user is defined and limited by the IP address information which is transmitted to the cloud environment by the user. In addition to the IP address restrictions, other security measures such as standard authentication means using login and password may also be used to provide an additional level of security.

[0012] Because the cloud environment components can be continuously upgraded remotely and scaled based on usage requirements, what is provided is a powerful computing system without the inherent limitations of standard computing hardware or the need for continuous user-end upgrades. Other features may include reduced user-side power consumption (i.e., not requiring a local power for a state of the art CPU or graphics card).

[0013] The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the transfer of information within a cloud computing system.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the internal components of a monitor within the cloud computing system.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the data transfer within the cloud computing system.

[0018] Fig. 4 is another schematic view of the components of the cloud computing system, having a plurality of local terminals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13

[0019] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.

[0020] Shown in Fig. 1 is a schematic showing the transfer of information within the present cloud computing system. On the left side are the user terminal components, which may include a hub having access to an internet connection, and connectable to an A/C outlet. Connected to the same electrical circuit is a monitor which also receives and sends data from and to the hub.

[0021] The hub itself may require two connections for operation ¨ an A/C
power connection, and an internet connection. The internet connection to the hub may be provided by the user's internet service provider through a standard internet connection such as an Ethernet, Coaxial, Telephone or Fiber- Optic cable in connection with a modem or without a modem. Stability of the connection, and overall user experience, may differ depending on the means employed.

[0022] The hub also requires a connection to an A/C outlet for operation.

However, this connection does not only provide power to the hub, as this connection is also used to transfer data within the user's local electrical connection.
Connected to the hub is a first powerline assembly which may be integral with the body of the hub itself.
The first powerline assembly may include a chip that allows for two way transfer of data over a user's local electrical circuit between the hub and a monitor. Due to the nature of the powerline networking technology, low latency and stability can be achieved as long as the two connected units (i.e., the monitor and hub) are connected within the same electrical circuit. The hub itself acts primarily as a data transmission unit, which bridges the data from the cloud environment to the monitor. There is no significant processing or storage that needs to be performed by the hub.

[0023] Shown in Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the internal components of the monitor, which is connected to the hub through a second powerline assembly.
The monitor may include a first circuit board or processing unit which is configured to transmit and receive an IP address and encrypted compressed data between the monitor and the hub through the second powerline assembly.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13

[0024] The first circuit board may then transmit the encrypted compressed data and IP address information to a second circuit board or processing unit within the monitor. The second circuit board will then decompress, de-encrypt and decode the data into graphical images to be projected on the display of the monitor.

[0025] Connectable to the monitor may be standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse. In one embodiment, the keyboard and mouse may be connected to the monitor through radio frequencies instead of the more commonly used Bluetooth protocol. Connection through radio frequencies may significantly reduce the power consumption and accordingly allow the peripheral to operate for extended periods of time, before needing to be recharged, which can be done by plugging into a USB
port found on the monitor. The system may be able to support a wide range of standard USB
devices, as long as the necessary operating system drivers are installed within the cloud environment. The monitor may also have other ports such as HDMI or DisplayPort to allow for connection with additional displays.

[0026] When a user operates a peripheral, input data from the peripheral is transmitted to the monitor, which then transmits the data to the hub, and eventually to the cloud environment for remote operation of the software installed therein.

[0027] All of these computing functions may be achieved with no significant processing hardware or operating system software on either of the hub or the monitor.
All of the processing and software is provided through the cloud environment.
The hardware within the hub and monitor act primarily as data transmission and decoding units. Furthermore, no data needs to be stored within the hub or the monitor, alleviating the need for local hard drives or other storage units, and ensures security of data in case of local outages or equipment failure. However, a user may still have the option to locally store or back up their data by connecting a storage device to the monitor through a USB connection.

[0028] The end user experience will not differ significantly from using a standard personal computer, as standard operating systems and software can be installed and provided through the cloud computing unit(s). Furthermore, because the display does Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13 not need to be in direct connection with the hub, the user can plug the monitor into any location that shares the same electrical circuit as the hub and begin operation.

[0029] Shown in Fig. 3 is a more detailed view of the transfer of data within the user side network. There may be a two-way encrypted data stream that flows between the cloud environment and the hub through an internet connection, which then transmits this data to and from a monitor through a local electrical circuit, as long as the hub and monitor are both plugged into the same circuit.

[0030] As also shown in Fig. 3, within the cloud environment may be a plurality of secure servers having typical computer components such as processor, ram, storage, software such as an operating software or other software installed remotely, as well as user information. The cloud environment may also be configured to provide technical support, and support software such as those used for improved security and anti-viruses. Unlike standard computing systems, the cloud environment components are upgraded remotely, and in most cases significantly more powerful than standard consumer computing devices. However, through the cloud computing system, the user can have access to a much more powerful computing device, without the additional costs and other drawbacks (such as increased heat output and power consumption) associated with owning such a device directly. The local components of the present cloud computing system may consume even less power than a standard personal computer with far less computing power than is provided through the present system.

[0031] Shown in Fig. 4 is a schematic view which demonstrates the ability of many monitors or local terminals to be connected to the cloud environment through the present cloud computing system.

[0032] Each hub may be assigned a static IP address which will not change irrespective of the user's ISP or modem/router settings. This static IP
address may be used in communications between the hub and the monitor, and between the hub and the cloud environment. For each user, there may be specific software and/or data stored within the cloud environment, and associated only with the static IP
addressed assigned to that particular user. This allows each user within the system to have a personalized and secure operating environment. Users within the system will not have Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13 access to any information of the other users, as any user specific information will not be transmitted in the absence of instructions specifically containing the IP
address associated with that user.

[0033] In addition to the static IP address, other security measures such as login and password may also be required for the user to logon. Once the user provides this information, they will be provided access to their own personalized computing environment. If the static IP address or the necessary credentials do not match, access will be denied.

[0034] In operation, a user may operate the cloud computing system by connecting the hub to their internet cable to establish an internet connection and plugging the hub into any electrical outlet within their business or home. The user then connects the monitor to an electrical outlet within the same circuit, and communication between the monitor and hub will be established. Once the monitor is powered on, the user can then use peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse to enter their login credentials to connect to the cloud environment. The cloud environment, supported by high powered computers, then communicates with the hub and monitor, and remotely provides the necessary processing power and software to meet the computing needs of the user.

[0035] Other features may be provided within the system to provide additional user benefits. For example, software may be installed within the cloud environment which utilizes an algorithm to scale processing power based on usage patterns.
When a user is operating software which has lower system requirements, less processing power may be allocated to that user at that time. When the user's computing requirements increase due to the software being used, the algorithm may then increase the processing power allocated to that user.

[0036] The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13

[0037] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-13

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cloud computer system comprising a cloud environment having at least one processing unit for running computing tasks;
a hub configured for data communication with the cloud environment through an internet connection;
the hub further comprising a first powerline assembly, the powerline assembly configured to transmit and receive data through a user's local electrical circuit; and a monitor comprising a display;
a first processing unit configured for transmitting data to and from a second powerline assembly, the second powerline assembly configured for data communication with the first powerline assembly;
a second processing unit in communication with the first processing unit, the second processing unit configured to convert data received from the first processing unit for projection onto the display; and input receiving means for receiving user input data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first powerline assembly is integral with a body of the hub.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the input receiving means is configured to receive input data through at least one of radiofrequency (RF), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Bluetooth signals.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising authentication means between the cloud environment and at least one of the hub and monitor, the authentication means comprising designated static IP address information embedded in all communications from at least one of the hub and monitor to the cloud environment, and wherein the cloud environment is configured to provide specific data communication corresponding to the IP address information received from the at least one of the hub and monitor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cloud environment further comprises an algorithm to scale the processing power of the processing unit, whereby additional processing power is provided by the processing unit for high process-demanding tasks, and lower processing power is provided by the processing unit for lower process-demanding tasks.