Probabilistic Cache Update for Database Query Results

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing database caching systems face challenges in maintaining the accuracy of pre-computed query results while minimizing unnecessary re-computations, as they struggle to efficiently update cached data in response to changes in the underlying data domain, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

A probabilistic model is used to estimate the accuracy of cached query results, combined with real-time event analysis to determine which results need re-computation, thereby optimizing re-computation decisions based on probability thresholds and available computing resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire data domain is re-computed frequently to maintain cache accuracy, then the reliability of cached results is improved, but the productivity and resource consumption deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecache accuracyVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of cache update frequency from a fixed uniform schedule to a dynamic probabilistic schedule. Each cached result is assigned a probability of being outdated based on the nature of its underlying data, allowing the system to adjust re-computation frequencies individually for different cache entries rather than re-computing everything uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of re-computing the entire data domain uniformly, the system performs partial re-computation only on those cached results that have a high probability of being outdated. This partial action approach avoids the excessive resource consumption of full re-computation while still maintaining adequate cache accuracy for the most critical data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If manual re-computation schedules are established to reduce resource waste, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of cache accuracy deteriorates due to outdated results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidcache freshness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces feedback mechanisms where the actual state of underlying data is continuously monitored and fed back to the cache management system. When changes are detected in the underlying data domain, this information feeds back to trigger selective re-computation of affected cached results, ensuring cache freshness without requiring manual schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cache update schedule transitions from a static manual timetable to a dynamic adaptive system. The re-computation timing for each cached result adjusts dynamically based on the probability of data changes, allowing the system to respond flexibly to actual data dynamics rather than following rigid predetermined schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If probabilistic modeling is used to determine re-computation needs, then the productivity is improved by reducing unnecessary computations, but the device complexity increases due to the modeling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a probabilistic model as an intermediary layer between the cache system and the underlying data domain. This intermediary computes probabilities of data staleness based on observable characteristics, enabling intelligent re-computation decisions without requiring direct complex monitoring of all underlying data changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2698729B1Updating cached database query results
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 AMADEUS SAS
  • EP2698729B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2698729B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2698729B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data cache platform maintains pre-computed database query results computed by a computation platform based on data maintained in the computation platform and is configured to determine probabilities of the cached database query results being outdated, to automatically issue re-computation orders to the computation platform for updating cached database query results on the basis of the determined probabilities of the pre-computed database query results being outdated and to receive the updated pre-computed database query results as results of the re-computation orders. The probability determination depends on a probabilistic model and on the occurrence of asynchronous real-time events. The real-time events are indeterministic with regard to the expiration of the cached database query results and only have a probabilistic influence on the discrepancies between the cached database query results maintained in the data cache platform and presumed actual database query results.