Dual Control Plane Content Distribution for Retail Receipts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content distribution systems for retail stores face challenges in efficiently managing and distributing advertising content across multiple store servers, requiring centralized control and complex network configurations to target specific receipt issuing devices effectively.
Innovation Solution
A networked computer system with a central server and store servers, implementing dual control planes to selectively distribute content to receipt issuing devices based on store and device-specific conditions, using data structures and management units to associate store and device codes with print specifications and distribution schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized control through a single input interface is used to distribute advertising content, then distribution control is simplified, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate different store and device-specific conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control system into multiple control planes: a first control plane at the root node for overall distribution control, and second control planes at each intermediate node for store and device-specific filtering. This segmentation allows each control plane to handle specific aspects of content distribution independently, achieving both centralized coordination and localized adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the control structure, adding intermediate nodes between the root node and leaf nodes. This creates multiple levels of control (root node → intermediate nodes → leaf nodes), enabling content distribution decisions to be made at different hierarchical levels based on different criteria, thus resolving the contradiction between centralized simplicity and localized flexibility.
2Productivity
If content is distributed to all store servers uniformly, then distribution process is simple, but targeted advertising to specific receipt issuing devices cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary filtering at intermediate nodes before content reaches leaf nodes. Store servers (intermediate nodes) pre-process incoming content distribution requests by applying store-specific and device-specific conditions, filtering out content that doesn't match their criteria. This preliminary action maintains distribution efficiency while ensuring targeting precision, as content is filtered progressively rather than requiring all leaf nodes to evaluate all conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control planes are implemented at intermediate nodes, then selective content distribution is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes intermediate nodes universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: receiving content from the root node, applying store-specific filtering, applying device-specific filtering, and forwarding filtered content to appropriate leaf nodes. This multi-functionality at intermediate nodes reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized components for each filtering function.
Data Source
AI summary
A networked computer system distributes content that is to be added to receipts by receipt issuing devices. The system includes a central server, first and second store servers communicating with the central server over a first network, first receipt issuing devices communicating with the first store server over a first local network, and second receipt issuing devices communicating with the second store server over a second local network. A first control plane is implemented in the central server to control whether or not the content is to be distributed to the first store server and whether or not the content is to be distributed to the second store server. A second control plane is implemented in the first and second store servers to control whether or not the content is to be distributed to the first and second receipt issuing devices, respectively.