Stateless Application Function Caching for Data Layered Architecture Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In data layered architectures, processing multiple requests within a signalling process for a user can be delayed due to the need to retrieve the same information from a common data layer multiple times, especially since application functions are stateless and must retrieve data individually, leading to increased latency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a routing function that selects an application function to operate in a stateful mode by caching data for a signalling sequence, allowing subsequent requests to be routed to the same function without re-retrieving data from the data layer, thus reducing delays and eliminating the need for special functionality at the requesting party.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If application functions operate in stateless mode to distribute load evenly, then load distribution is improved, but processing speed deteriorates due to repeated data retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distribution efficiencyVSAvoidrequest processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first application function retrieve and cache user data in advance before subsequent requests arrive. This pre-caching mechanism ensures that when additional requests are routed to the same function, the data is already available in memory, eliminating repeated retrieval delays and improving processing speed while maintaining load distribution benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a local copy of user data in the application function's memory after the initial retrieval from the data layer. This copy resides in the application function's data structure, allowing subsequent requests to access the data locally rather than repeatedly querying the data layer, thus resolving the contradiction between stateless operation and processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the same application function processes multiple requests in a signalling sequence, then processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to stateful operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverequest processing efficiencyVSAvoidapplication function complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing stateful data storage only in the specific application function that has cached the user data, rather than making all application functions stateful. This localized approach allows the system to maintain overall stateless architecture while enabling efficient processing for specific request sequences, thus improving efficiency without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamics by allowing application functions to dynamically transition between stateless and stateful modes based on request patterns. The first application function becomes stateful temporarily to cache data for a signalling sequence, then returns to stateless operation, providing flexible adaptation that improves processing efficiency while limiting the duration and scope of increased complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If data is cached in application function memory, then access speed is improved, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidmemory resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by caching only the specific user data that is needed for processing the signalling sequence, rather than caching all possible data. The application function stores user data in its data structure only when required by incoming requests, optimizing memory usage by caching selectively rather than universally, thus improving access speed without excessive memory consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2667568B1Methods and apparatuses for handling data-related requests

Publication Date: 2017.03.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses in a Data Layered Architecture, DLA, for distributing data-related requests from a routing function (200a) to an application layer (202) with multiple application functions operating in a stateless mode, and for handling the data-related requests in a selected application function (202a) in the application layer. A routing function (200a) receives (2:1) an initial request of an identified (2:2) signalling sequence for which one or more subsequent data-related requests are anticipated. The initial request is routed (2:3) to the application function which is triggered to temporarily operate (2:4) in a stateful mode by caching (2:6) data used for processing the initial data-related request. When a subsequent request, recognized as belonging to the signalling sequence, is received (2:7) and routed (2:8) to the selected application function, the cached information is used (2:9a) when processing (2:9) the subsequent request.