Request Aggregation for Server Load Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In environments where multiple clients are making requests to a server, such as in online gaming, server overload leads to delayed responses, frustration among users, and unnecessary battery drain on mobile devices due to repeated duplicative requests.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that aggregates duplicative requests from client computing platforms into a single request, organizing and queuing them before transmission to the server, either on the client device or server-side, to reduce server processing load and optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If multiple duplicative requests are transmitted to the server, then the user's desired action is attempted to be achieved quickly, but server overload increases and response times are negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidserver processing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple duplicative requests into a single aggregated request. When the same user action is detected repeatedly (e.g., repeated clicking), the system combines these duplicate requests and transmits only one aggregated request to the server, eliminating redundant processing while maintaining the user's intended action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary filtering and aggregation of requests on the client device before transmission to the server. By identifying and consolidating duplicative requests in advance, the system prevents unnecessary requests from reaching the server, thereby reducing server load before the problem escalates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If multiple duplicative requests are transmitted to the server, then the user attempts to achieve the desired result quickly, but battery power on mobile devices is unnecessarily drained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple duplicative requests into a single aggregated request on the client device. This merging process reduces the number of transmission operations required, thereby conserving battery power while still achieving the user's desired action in a timely manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of repeated requests (battery drain) into a benefit by using the detection of duplicative patterns to trigger aggregation. The system recognizes that repeated clicking indicates user frustration and transforms this behavior into an opportunity to optimize both performance and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If requests are aggregated and organized before transmission, then server processing load is reduced, but request organization complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver processing efficiencyVSAvoidrequest organization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the request processing function into distinct components: request generation, duplication detection, aggregation, and transmission. By dividing the organization process into manageable segments, the system reduces overall complexity while maintaining effective request consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary aggregation layer between the user interface and the server. This intermediary component handles the complex organization and deduplication logic, isolating it from both the user interface and server processing, thereby managing complexity in a controlled manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9433859B1Frequency based request throttling and aggregation

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 ELECTRONIC ARTS INC

AI summary

A system and method configured to provide remote access to a virtual space and enhance the efficiency of server operations associated with the virtual space. This system and method has particular application to online applications such as online games wherein many players are simultaneously competing for limited server resources in connection with game play. In some implementations, the system and method includes executing an instance of an online game and using the instance of the online game to enable participation in the online game by multiple users through multiple client computing platforms, wherein participation in the online game by the users includes entering and/or selecting requests on the client computing platforms that are executed in the instance of the online game. The system and method of the present invention also includes organizing the requests such that duplicative requests are combined into a single request and providing the organized requests for execution by one or more servers.