Geo-area Segmentation for Load Balancing in Geo-caching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Geo-caching applications face challenges in managing foot traffic and load balancing across geographic locations, leading to unmanageable loads and decreased user interest due to the inability to segment and promote locations effectively.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system that segments a geographic map into geo-areas, using a logical segmentation engine to identify parameter values that constrain physical load, ranks geographic locations based on quality scores and activity data, and selects geo-points to manage load and user interest, allowing locations to compete for a local audience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If geographic locations are promoted as geo-points without segmentation, then user attraction to locations increases, but the load on individual locations becomes unmanageable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser attractionVSAvoidload management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The geographic map is segmented into multiple geo-areas, and each geo-area contains a limited number of geo-points. This segmentation distributes user traffic across multiple regions and prevents any single location from receiving excessive load, while still maintaining overall user attraction through multiple promoted locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If geographic locations are segmented into geo-areas with limited geo-points, then load on individual locations is managed, but the number of users attracted to each location decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload managementVSAvoiduser attraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple geo-areas are managed within a unified geo-caching data system that uses centralized quality scores and eligibility values to select geo-points. This merging approach ensures that while locations are segmented into areas, the overall user attraction is maintained through coordinated promotion across all areas based on quality metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If geographic locations are selected as geo-points frequently, then user interest is maintained, but the load on locations increases beyond acceptable levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interest maintenanceVSAvoidload constraint
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the selection of geo-points based on real-time or near-real-time quality scores and current load conditions. Geographic locations can be promoted as geo-points when they have high quality scores and available capacity, and demoted when load becomes excessive, maintaining user interest while respecting load constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If quality scores are used to rank geographic locations, then user engagement improves, but the complexity of the selection system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidselection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses quality scores as a key parameter to automatically rank and select geographic locations for promotion. By changing the selection criterion from manual or simple rules to a quantitative quality score parameter, the system improves user engagement through better location selection while managing complexity through automated calculation and comparison of scores.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3951613B1Logical segmentation data processing
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3951613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3951613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3951613B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A logical segmentation data processing system includes a data retrieval interface configured to receive, from a remote geo-caching data system, geo-caching data representing geographic locations specified by the remote geo-caching data system. The data processing system includes a logical segmentation engine configured to segment a geographic map into geo-areas, each geo-area comprising a subset of the geographic locations represented by the geo-caching data. The data processing system includes an evaluation engine configured to rank, for each of a plurality of the geo-areas, geographic locations in that geo-area. The data processing system includes an aggregation engine configured to select, from each of the plurality of geo-areas, one or more geographic locations with a higher ranking, relative to the rankings of other geographic locations in that geo-area, and to aggregate the selected geographic locations.