Automated Data Compression for Distributed Processing Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed processing of media data in cloud environments, such as video chat applications, the high volume of raw video data exchanged between processing nodes leads to network congestion, making it difficult to split application components across different nodes efficiently due to the need for uncompressed data transfer.

Innovation Solution

A control unit and system that automatically determine whether encoding and decoding of data is required, dynamically instantiating a data-dependent compression mechanism between sending and receiving components by analyzing the data format and communication channel, thereby reducing network traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If application components are distributed across different processing nodes, then resource utilization is optimized and processing delay is reduced, but network traffic increases due to uncompressed data transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the data format parameter by compressing video data before transmission across network boundaries. The control unit detects when data traverses a node boundary and automatically applies compression, transforming the data from uncompressed to compressed format to reduce network traffic volume while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sending and receiving components. It intercepts data flows at node boundaries, determines whether compression is needed, and automatically applies compression or decompression as necessary, transparently mediating the data transfer without requiring application-level intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If compression is applied to reduce network traffic, then bandwidth consumption decreases, but system complexity increases due to encoding/decoding requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork traffic volumeVSAvoidcompression system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit provides self-service by automatically detecting when compression is needed and applying it without external intervention. The system monitors data flows, identifies boundary crossings, and autonomously manages compression/decompression operations, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex application-level compression logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the compression functionality into a separate control unit that operates independently at node boundaries. This isolates the compression complexity from the application components, allowing them to remain simple while the control unit handles all compression-related operations transparently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If developers manually manage component placement and compression, then data transfer efficiency improves, but ease of operation decreases due to increased management overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork traffic volumeVSAvoidcomponent deployment simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically manages compression without requiring developer intervention. It self-monitors data flows, self-determines when compression is needed based on boundary detection, and self-applies compression transparently, completely eliminating the management overhead that would otherwise fall on developers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves as an intermediary layer between the application components and the underlying compression infrastructure. Applications interact only with simple component placement, while the control unit handles all complex compression decisions and operations in the background, shielding developers from complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2819012B1Automated compression of data
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2819012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2819012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2819012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The application relates to a system comprising at least two processing nodes 1, wherein the nodes 1 comprise an execution environment 2 and a processing component 3, wherein each execution environment 2 includes means for establishing a communication channel 4 between an outgoing port of the processing component 3 and an inbound port of a different processing component 3, and wherein the system is configured to determine whether the communication channel 4 traverses a boundary of a node 1, and to determine whether an encoding/decoding of data to be transferred through the communication channel 4 is required.