Dual-Cache Tile Mapping for Latency and Memory Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mapping services face challenges in providing quick and efficient map content due to resource costs and access latency associated with retrieving map data from remote providers, particularly for devices with limited memory resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-cache system for map tiles, where a first level cache stores tile objects and a second level cache stores resource locators, allowing for efficient retrieval of map tiles from local memory and reducing memory footprint by using resource locators instead of full tile objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If map tiles are stored in a single cache, then memory usage is simple, but retrieval efficiency is reduced due to lack of optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The cache is divided into two distinct levels: a first cache that stores complete tile objects for immediate retrieval, and a second cache that stores only resource locators for space-efficient pre-fetching. This segmentation allows each cache level to serve a specific function, optimizing both retrieval speed and memory utilization without requiring a single complex cache structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the cache structure by organizing caches in levels (first cache and second cache). This dimensional organization allows the system to differentiate between frequently accessed tiles (stored in first cache) and less frequently accessed or pre-fetched tiles (tracked via resource locators in second cache), thereby improving retrieval efficiency without linearly increasing overall complexity.
2Loss of time
If full tile objects are cached, then retrieval is fast, but memory footprint increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying information (resource locators) from complete tile objects and stores these in the second cache. This extraction allows the system to track and pre-fetch tile information without storing the entire tile object data, significantly reducing memory footprint while maintaining the ability to quickly retrieve complete tiles when needed from the first cache.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing complete tile objects in both caches, the system creates a simplified copy (resource locator) that contains only the necessary identification and location information. This copying approach allows the second cache to function as an efficient index or pointer system, reducing memory usage while preserving fast access capabilities through the first cache's complete tile storage.
3Quantity of substance
If a dual-cache system is implemented, then memory usage is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-cache system operates with a clear division of responsibilities where each cache serves its own specific purpose autonomously. The first cache automatically stores and retrieves complete tile objects for immediate display, while the second cache independently manages resource locator storage for pre-fetching operations. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex inter-cache coordination logic, managing complexity through functional independence rather than tight integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A tile-map caching technique in which it is determined whether a tile object is stored in a first cache that is configured to store a plurality of tile objects associated with a map. It is also determined whether a resource locator associated with the tile object is stored in a second cache, if the tile object is not in the first cache. The tile object is retrieved based on the resource locator if the resource locator is stored in the second cache.