Distributed Order Execution via Execution References
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for coordinating distributed order execution in online merchant systems, such as transaction managers and two-phase database commit protocols, are difficult to scale and maintain, leading to inefficiencies in processing and fulfilling customer orders.
Innovation Solution
An order processing system that coordinates executions by using execution references and an execution registry to track and limit actions across external systems, allowing for scalable integration of new systems without relying on transaction managers or two-phase database commit protocols, thereby enabling more efficient order processing and fulfillment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transaction manager systems and two-phase database commit protocols are used to coordinate distributed systems, then consistency and synchronization are maintained, but system complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coordination function from complex transaction manager systems and implements it through simple execution references and registries. Each external system stores execution references locally, eliminating the need for centralized transaction management while maintaining consistency across distributed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
External systems autonomously manage their own executions by storing execution references and querying execution registries independently. This self-service approach replaces centralized transaction coordination with distributed autonomous management, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional transaction management methods are used, then distributed database consistency is ensured, but scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized transaction management function into distributed execution references stored at each external system. This segmentation allows each system to operate independently while maintaining consistency, enabling horizontal scaling without transaction manager bottlenecks.
Solution Approach 2:
Execution references serve multiple functions: tracking execution status, enabling coordination, and providing audit trails. This multi-functional approach replaces complex transaction protocols with a universal reference mechanism that scales across diverse external systems.
3Measurement precision
If execution tracking is implemented across distributed systems, then coordination accuracy is improved, but information storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of centralizing all execution data, the patent creates lightweight execution reference copies distributed across external systems. Each reference contains only essential execution identification and status information, providing accurate tracking with minimal storage overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An order processing system operates in conjunction with external systems to process orders received by an online shopping system. The order processing system maintains execution references that indicate that an external system is performing an action with respect to an item in an order. Each execution reference may store data defining the state of the corresponding execution. The external systems may update the stored state according to a state machine, which may be an acyclic directed graph. The order processing system also maintains an execution registry including data specifying the actions performed by external systems that may not be performed in combination. When a request is received to start an action with respect to an item in an order, the order processing system uses the execution references associated with the item and the execution registry to determine if the request may be granted.