Subscription Barriers in Distributed Query Processing at Scale

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional approach of loading large data sets into memory for analysis becomes impractical and cost-prohibitive due to the need for increased memory and infrastructure scaling, making it difficult to efficiently manage and analyze growing data sets.

Innovation Solution

A distributed computation system is implemented, where data is managed across query nodes and query requests are serviced, utilizing a subscription engine to monitor user data changes and initiate query requests, with caching and data flow graphs to optimize data distribution and retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data is loaded into memory for analysis, then analysis speed is improved, but memory requirements and infrastructure cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data storage and processing system into multiple query nodes that distribute data across the system. Each node handles a portion of the data, allowing analysis to proceed without loading entire data sets into memory. The data is divided into manageable chunks that can be processed incrementally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary data portions needed for current analysis operations from the distributed storage system, rather than loading all data into memory. Query nodes retrieve specific data subsets on-demand, enabling fast analysis of relevant data while maintaining efficient memory utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If memory capacity is increased to handle larger data sets, then data analysis capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata analysis capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments data storage across multiple query nodes, each maintaining a portion of the distributed data set. This segmentation allows the system to handle large data volumes without requiring a single large memory system, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each query node in the distributed system performs multiple functions: data storage, data retrieval, and query processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized infrastructure components, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling large-scale data analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If data is distributed across multiple nodes, then scalability is improved, but inter-node communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and caching query results at query nodes. When similar queries are received, nodes can return cached results without re-accessing distributed storage, significantly reducing inter-node communication overhead while maintaining scalability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each query node maintains local data and computation resources optimized for its specific data partition. This local quality allows nodes to process queries independently using local resources first, minimizing the need for inter-node communication while preserving the scalability benefits of distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4038514B1Method and system for implementing subscription barriers in a distributed computation system
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ANAPLAN INC
  • EP4038514B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4038514B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4038514B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for managing subscriptions. The method includes initiating execution of a first subscription, in response to the initiating, obtaining a first subscription barrier associated with a first subscription, making, using the first subscription barrier, a first determination to block execution of a first query request associated with the first subscription, and in response to the first determination, ceasing execution of the first subscription.