Hierarchical Map Tile Structure for Fast Versioned Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently storing and accessing electronic map data, particularly in facilitating quick retrieval of objects in a region, updating map data based on various sources, and interfacing map layers with consumers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hierarchical tile structure for electronic map data storage, where tiles are defined based on geolocations and storage space requirements, with a threshold criterion ensuring efficient access and dynamic adaptation to changes, allowing flexible and efficient retrieval and modification of map data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electronic map data is stored in a traditional flat structure, then storage is simple, but access time for retrieving objects in a region is long and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electronic map data into a hierarchical tile structure where the map is segmented into multiple levels of tiles. Each tile represents a geographic region at a specific zoom level, allowing the system to quickly locate and retrieve only the relevant tiles needed for a particular query, dramatically reducing access time compared to searching through all map data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the storage structure by organizing tiles across multiple zoom levels. This transforms a two-dimensional map representation into a multi-dimensional hierarchical structure, enabling efficient navigation and retrieval by traversing the hierarchy from coarse to fine levels rather than searching linearly through all data.
2Reliability
If map data is updated frequently from various sources, then data currency is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments map data into independent tiles that can be updated individually. When data changes from various sources, only the affected tiles need to be processed and updated, rather than reprocessing the entire map dataset. This significantly reduces processing time while maintaining data currency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic update mechanism where the tile structure and associated data structures adapt automatically as map data changes. The system can dynamically add, remove, or modify tiles based on current data availability and query patterns, allowing efficient incorporation of updates from multiple sources without fixed structural constraints.
3Speed
If all map objects are loaded into memory for quick access, then access speed is improved, but memory consumption exceeds available space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments map data into tiles of manageable size that can be selectively loaded into memory. Only the tiles currently needed for active queries or display are loaded, while other tiles remain on storage media. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast access speeds for needed data without loading the entire map dataset into memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-organizes map data into a hierarchical tile structure on storage media before access is needed. This preliminary organization allows the system to quickly identify and load only the specific tiles required for a given query, rather than loading all data or searching through unorganized data structures.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed tile size is used for all regions, then storage consistency is improved, but efficiency varies for different geographic regions with different object densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable tile sizes that adapt to local characteristics of different geographic regions. Regions with high object density use smaller tiles to provide finer granularity and more precise access, while regions with low object density use larger tiles to reduce the total number of tiles and improve access efficiency. This local adaptation optimizes performance for each region's specific characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic tile structure where tile boundaries and sizes can vary across different regions of the map. The system can dynamically adjust the hierarchical structure to match the distribution of map objects, creating a more efficient access pattern for regions with varying densities of geographic features.
Data Source
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AI summary
To enable access to electronic map data, a processing system (20) is operative to determine a hierarchical tile structure and store a plurality of files (24) for storing versioned electronic map data. Each of the plurality of files (24) is associated with a tile of a tiling. Different tiles relate to different geographic regions. The hierarchical tile structure is determined based at least on a threshold criterion.