Distributed Preference Learning Agents for Real-Time Customer Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centralized consumer preference systems are not capable of real-time learning and updating based on customer behavior across various communication channels, leading to outdated preference processing.

Innovation Solution

Deploying predefined rules within loyalty processing agents on interaction channels to capture and respond to customer actions in real-time, integrating with enterprise preference management systems to dynamically create and update preferences based on customer behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a centralized consumer preference database is implemented to collect preferences from various channels, then preference information availability is improved, but real-time learning capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreference information availabilityVSAvoidreal-time learning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments preference processing into two distinct components: a centralized preference database for comprehensive data collection across channels, and distributed preference learning agents deployed at each communication channel. This segmentation allows the database to store historical preference information while the learning agents independently perform real-time computation and updates based on local customer interactions, thereby resolving the contradiction between centralized information availability and distributed real-time processing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Preference learning agents serve as intermediaries between the centralized preference database and various communication channels. These agents receive customer interaction data from channels, evaluate it against predefined rules, learn new preferences or update existing ones in real-time, and synchronize updates with the centralized database. This intermediary mechanism enables both comprehensive preference collection and immediate real-time learning without requiring all processing to occur at a single centralized location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If preferences are collected and stored in a centralized database, then preference data completeness is improved, but preference update timeliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreference data completenessVSAvoidpreference update timeliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by deploying pre-configured learning agents at each communication channel before customer interactions occur. These agents are pre-loaded with evaluation rules and algorithms, enabling them to immediately process and learn from customer actions as they happen, rather than waiting to batch-process data later. This preliminary deployment ensures both complete data collection and immediate update capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The preference management system transitions from a static centralized storage model to a dynamic distributed architecture where learning agents continuously adapt and update preferences in real-time based on ongoing customer interactions. The system dynamically balances between collecting comprehensive preference data across all channels and immediately updating preferences when relevant customer actions are detected, with agents selectively processing only the most relevant interactions to maintain timeliness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If preference processing is centralized, then system simplicity is improved, but real-time responsiveness to customer behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidreal-time responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments preference processing functionality into centralized database management and distributed learning agents, allowing each component to specialize in its core function while maintaining overall system coherence through standardized interfaces and synchronization protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Learning agents operate autonomously at each communication channel, independently evaluating customer actions against predefined rules and updating preferences without requiring constant centralized control. This self-service capability enables immediate real-time responsiveness while the agents periodically synchronize with the centralized database to maintain data consistency across the distributed system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8832008B2Techniques for real-time customer preference learning
Publication Date: 2014.09.09 NCR VOYIX CORP
  • US8832008B2 patent drawing
  • US8832008B2 patent drawing
  • US8832008B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques for real-time offer customer preference learning are presented. Local agents on communication channels are equipped with predefined rules that capture actions and behaviors of customers interacting with an enterprise. The metrics associated with these actions and behaviors are plugged into the rules and in some cases combined with known pre-existing preferences for the customers for purposes of evaluating the rules and creating newly learned preferences for the customers. The newly learned preferences are dynamically fed into offer evaluation processing to determine whether to make offers to the customers.