Electronic marketplace for hosted service images

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10147123-B2
Application number	US-201113248227-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2011
Priority date	Sep 29, 2011
Publication date	Dec 4, 2018
Grant date	Dec 4, 2018

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate providing a marketplace for acquisition of service images to be executed in a hosted computing environment. Service image providers submit service images for inclusion in the service image marketplace. Providers may further specify pricing and usage conditions associated with the service images. Customers browse and select service images for hosting on either the marketplace hosted computing environment, or an alternate hosted computing environment. If necessary, customers may submit payment information. The service image marketplace may monitor usage of hosted service images and bill customers according to use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
from each of a plurality of providers and an operator of an electronic catalog configured to store service images,
receiving a service image and pricing information associated with the service image, wherein the service image, when executed on a hosted computing environment comprising a plurality of host computing devices, implements one or more network accessible services associated with the service image;
storing the received service image and pricing information associated with the received service image, in an electronic catalog, wherein the electronic catalog is accessible to search for one or more service images for execution on a hosted computing environment;

providing, to a computing device associated with a customer, access to the electronic catalog;
receiving, from the computing device associated with the customer, identification of a selected service image selected from a search of the one or more service images stored in the electronic catalog;
receiving configuration information from the computing device associated with the customer;
in response to receiving the identification of the selected service image and the configuration information:
generating, on behalf of the customer, a virtual computing device instance for the selected service image, wherein the virtual computing device instance is generated on a host computing device of a hosted computing environment;
configuring the virtual computing device instance for the selected service image in accordance with the configuration information received from the computing device associated with the customer; and
causing the virtual computing device instance for the selected service image that is generated on the host computing device of the hosted computing environment and configured with the configuration information, to execute the selected service image, wherein the selected service image, when executed, implements the one or more network accessible services associated with the selected service image;

providing, to the computing device associated with the customer, access to the virtual computing device instance;
monitoring usage of the one or more network accessible services associated with the selected service image to determine a usage demand for the one or more network accessible services;
determining that an additional virtual computing device instance is needed to meet the usage demand for the one or more network accessible services;
generating, on behalf of the customer, the additional virtual computing device instance, wherein the additional virtual computing device instance is generated on the host computing device of the hosted computing environment; and
causing the additional virtual computing device instance generated on the host computing device of the hosted computing environment, to execute the selected service image.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein providing, to the computing device associated with the customer, access to the electronic catalog comprises providing information associated with each service image of the one or more service images stored in the electronic catalog, the provided information corresponding to at least one of pricing information associated with the service image, reviews of the service image, recommendations for other service images, and reliability information associated with the service image.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the pricing information associated with the selected service image comprises at least one of a one-time price associated with the selected service image, a monthly price associated with the selected service image, and an hourly price associated with the selected service image.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the hosted computing environment, which includes the hosted computing device on which the virtual computing device instance is generated, is at least one of a hosted computing environment associated with a provider of a service image and a hosted computing environment associated with the operator of the electronic catalog.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual computing device instance is accessed via an application programming interface.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the selected service image is associated with a usage condition, and wherein providing, to the computing device associated with the customer, access to the virtual computing device instance executing the selected service image comprises determining that the customer has satisfied the usage condition associated with the selected service image and then providing said access.

7. A system comprising:
at least one electronic catalog configured to store a plurality of service images and pricing information associated with each service image of the plurality of service images;
wherein each service image of the plurality of service images, when executed on a hosted computing environment comprising a plurality of host computing devices, implements one or more network accessible services;
and wherein the electronic catalog is accessible to search for one or more service images for execution on a hosted computing environment; and
a computing device in communication with the at least one electronic catalog, the computing device configured to:
generate a user interface that presents to a customer computing device information regarding each service image of the plurality of service images stored in the electronic catalog;
receive from the customer computing device identification of a selected service image selected from the user interface;
receive, from the customer computing device, configuration information;
generate, on behalf of the customer, a virtual computing device instance for the selected service image, wherein the virtual computing device instance is generated on a host computing device of a hosted computing environment;
configure the virtual computing device instance for the selected service image in accordance with the configuration information received from the customer computing device;
cause the virtual computing device instance for the selected service image that is generated on the hosted computing device of the hosted computing environment and configured with the configuration information to execute the selected service image, wherein the selected service image, when executed, implements the one or more network accessible services associated with the selected service image;
monitor usage of the one or more network accessible services associated with the selected service image to determine a usage demand for the one or more network accessible services;
determine that an additional virtual computing device instance is needed to meet the usage demand for the one or more network accessible services;
generate, on behalf of the customer, the additional virtual computing device instance, wherein the additional virtual computing device instance is generated on the host computing device of the hosted computing environment; and
cause the additional virtual computing device instance generated on the host computing device of the hosted computing environment to execute the selected service image.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one electronic catalog is further configured to store, for each service image of the plurality of service images, usage conditions associated with the service image, and wherein the computing device is further configured to, prior to generating the virtual computing device instance, verify that acceptance of usage conditions associated with the selected service image has been received from the customer computing dev

Assignees

• Golden Manine R
• Zipkin David
• Thimsen John Daniel
• Tyra Andrew S
• Hanold Terrance D
• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Golden Manine R
• Zipkin David
• Thimsen John Daniel
• Tyra Andrew S
• Hanold Terrance D

Classifications

• G06Q30/06 Primary

  Buying, selling or leasing transactions · CPC title