Distributed Electronic Invoice Identifier Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for allocating electronic-bill identifiers in distributed systems suffer from poor universality, making it difficult to handle massive concurrent requests efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method for allocating electronic-bill identifiers in a distributed system, where a processing node receives requests, generates sets of unique identifiers including bill codes and numbers, synchronizes these identifiers across the system, and allocates them to service nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single machine serially processes requests for applying for electronic-bill identifiers, then data consistency is ensured, but the efficiency of allocating electronic-bill identifiers deteriorates when dealing with massive concurrent requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidefficiency of allocating electronic-bill identifiers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the distributed system into multiple processing nodes, each independently capable of generating and allocating electronic-bill identifiers. Each node maintains local data consistency through sequential processing within the node, while the system achieves global scalability through horizontal expansion of nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a pre-allocation mechanism where electronic-bill identifiers are generated in advance and stored in local caches or databases of processing nodes. This preliminary action allows nodes to quickly allocate pre-generated identifiers without real-time coordination, improving response speed for concurrent requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple processing nodes allocate electronic-bill identifiers in a distributed system, then the efficiency of handling massive concurrent requests is improved, but the universality and data consistency among nodes deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of handling massive concurrent requestsVSAvoiddata consistency among processing nodes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a synchronization mechanism where processing nodes periodically exchange allocation status information through a distributed database or message queue. This feedback loop allows nodes to learn about identifiers allocated by other nodes, preventing duplicate allocations and maintaining global uniqueness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized coordination service or distributed database as an intermediary that manages the global state of electronic-bill identifier allocation. Processing nodes communicate through this intermediary to coordinate allocations, ensuring consistency without direct peer-to-peer communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If electronic-bill identifiers are generated and allocated without synchronization among distributed nodes, then allocation efficiency is improved, but the uniqueness and universality of identifiers deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation efficiencyVSAvoiduniqueness of electronic-bill identifiers
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-generates batches of electronic-bill identifiers and stores them in local caches or databases of processing nodes before they are needed. This preliminary generation allows nodes to quickly allocate identifiers from local storage without real-time coordination, improving allocation efficiency while maintaining uniqueness through controlled pre-generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a time dimension to identifier allocation by implementing versioned or timestamped allocation records. Nodes can allocate identifiers efficiently by checking temporal information rather than performing complex real-time validation, achieving both speed and uniqueness through dimensional transformation of the validation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3832578B1Electronic invoice identifier allocation method, and electronic ticket generating method, device and system
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3832578B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3832578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3832578B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic invoice identifier allocation method, and an electronic invoice generation method, a device and a system. Said methods are applied to a distributed system, the distributed system comprises processing nodes, said methods are executed by one processing node in the distributed system. The allocation method comprises: the processing node receiving an electronic invoice identifier claiming request initiated by a service node (310); generating, in response to the electronic invoice identifier claiming request, an electronic invoice identifier set (330); in the distributed system, synchronizing electronic invoice identifiers in the electronic invoice identifier set (350); after the electronic invoice identifiers in the electronic invoice identifier set are synchronized in the distributed system, allocating the electronic invoice identifiers in the electronic invoice identifier set to the service node (370). The invention solves the problem in the prior art of poor universality of electronic invoice identifiers allocated on the basis of a distributed system.