Time-Based Data Stream Correlation Using Ring Buffer Hashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data stream correlation techniques are inefficient and computationally expensive, leading to delays and limitations in real-time processing, especially with high data rates, and are not scalable for large-scale implementations.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a ring buffer structure with associated hash tables to correlate data streams based on timestamps and metadata, enabling efficient real-time correlation with low resource requirements and O(1) efficiency, allowing for horizontal and vertical scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing data stream correlation techniques are used, then data correlation can be performed, but processing efficiency is low and resource consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data stream processing into distinct phases: buffering incoming records with timestamps, hashing records to generate lookup keys, and correlating records by comparing hashes within time windows. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, improving overall processing efficiency while reducing computational overhead through specialized data structures for each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing hash values for incoming data records and storing them in buffered structures before correlation is needed. This allows the correlation phase to operate efficiently by simply comparing pre-computed hashes rather than performing complex comparisons on raw data, significantly reducing real-time computational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If existing correlation methods are implemented, then data streams can be correlated, but real-time processing capability is insufficient for high data rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time processing speedVSAvoidcorrelation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical comparison-based correlation methods with a hash-based lookup system. By computing hash values and using them as indices into buffered data structures, the system achieves O(1) average-case lookup time instead of O(n) linear scanning, enabling real-time processing of high-rate data streams with minimal delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional correlation techniques are used, then data can be processed, but scalability to large-scale implementations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal correlation engine that handles multiple data stream types and correlation requirements through a single unified architecture. The hash-based buffering and lookup mechanism works consistently across different data formats and correlation scenarios, enabling scalable deployment from small to large-scale implementations without requiring fundamentally different system designs.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3818452B1Efficient time based correlation of data streams
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3818452B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3818452B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3818452B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for efficient data correlation are provided. A first data partition is received, and a first hash table of a plurality of hash tables is selected based on a timestamp associated with the first data partition. Additionally, a first hash bucket in the first hash table is identified based on the first data partition. It is determined that the first hash bucket includes a second data partition. Upon determining that the first hash bucket satisfies a predefined criterion, the second data partition is removed from the first hash bucket, and the first and second data partitions are associated.