Distributed Data Processing with TTL-Based Peer Validity Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed computing environments, data validity issues arise due to time-limited data, leading to inconsistency and increased network load as outdated data is distributed, particularly in peer-to-peer systems where clients may receive invalid data.

Innovation Solution

Clients determine the validity of data by calculating a probability based on a validity indication, sending requests to the server for data if the probability falls below a threshold, and providing validity indications to other clients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If clients distribute data among themselves in a peer-to-peer manner, then network traffic load on servers is reduced, but data validity and consistency deteriorate as outdated data may be propagated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork traffic loadVSAvoiddata validity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by attaching validity indicators (TTL timestamps) to data before distribution. When clients request data, they can pre-assess validity based on these indicators and decide whether to retrieve from peer or server, preventing propagation of outdated data before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where clients receive validity information (TTL indicators) along with data requests. This feedback enables clients to make informed decisions about data retrieval sources, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to data freshness requirements and prevents invalid data propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If clients request data frequently to ensure validity, then data freshness is improved, but network traffic load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidnetwork traffic load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by having clients request validity indicators (TTL timestamps) without immediately retrieving the full data. Clients can assess validity based on these partial information exchanges and only initiate full data retrieval when necessary, reducing unnecessary network traffic while maintaining data freshness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system implements strict data validity checks, then data consistency is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses simple, lightweight validity indicators (TTL timestamps) as disposable metadata attached to data requests. These indicators provide adequate validity assessment without requiring complex validation logic, achieving data consistency through simple time-based comparisons rather than sophisticated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3935520B1Distributed data processing
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 AMADEUS SAS
  • EP3935520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3935520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3935520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Data is handled in a distributed computing environment comprising at least one server and a plurality of clients comprising at least a first client and a second client. The first client sends a first request for data to the second client, receives a first response from the second client as a response to the first quest, determines a probability of validity of the data requested based on a validity indication included in the first response indicating a probability that the data requested from the second client is invalid. The first client determines that the data requested by the first request and available from the second client is likely invalid, sends a second request to the server to obtain the data from the server and receives the data from the server.