Map Rendering via Base and Difference Tiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current map rendering systems face inefficiencies when switching between different map views for the same geographic region, as they often require redundant data processing and high computational costs due to the need for re-preprocessing and re-buffering of map data, leading to increased latency and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method of using base map tiles and difference map tiles, where base map tiles provide the fundamental map data in a vector graphics format, and difference map tiles specify the modifications needed for rendering different map views, allowing the client device to efficiently render new map images without complete reprocessing of the graphics data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complete map data is re-transmitted for each map view switch, then rendering accuracy is maintained, but data transmission volume and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the differential portions between map views (additions, deletions, modifications) and transmits these differences rather than complete map data. The server identifies and transmits only the specific map elements that need to be added, removed, or modified when switching between views, significantly reducing data transmission volume while maintaining rendering accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments map data into discrete map elements that can be independently added, removed, or modified. By dividing the map into individual elements (roads, buildings, landmarks, etc.), the system can transmit only the specific segments that change between views rather than the entire map dataset.
2Measurement precision
If complete map data is re-processed on client device for each view switch, then rendering quality is maintained, but computational cost and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing on the server side by pre-identifying and preparing the differential map elements before transmission. The server pre-computes which map elements need to be added, removed, or modified when switching between views, so that the client device receives ready-to-apply differences rather than raw data requiring extensive processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential differential information needed for view switching and transmits this extracted data to the client. By removing unnecessary redundant data and transmitting only the critical differences, the client device's processing burden is significantly reduced while maintaining rendering quality.
3Reliability
If redundant data is transmitted for different map views, then data completeness is ensured, but network bandwidth consumption and loading latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the differential data representing changes between map views, rather than transmitting redundant complete datasets. This extraction approach ensures that all necessary information for rendering the new view is included while eliminating unnecessary redundant data, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption and loading latency.
4Stability of the object's composition
If all map elements are re-rendered for each view switch, then visual consistency is maintained, but rendering time and GPU processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of differential map elements on the server side before transmission to the client. By pre-processing and preparing only the necessary differential data (additions, deletions, modifications), the system enables the client to apply these changes efficiently without re-rendering all map elements, thus maintaining visual consistency while reducing rendering time and GPU processing load.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide map data for rendering map images corresponding to a selected geographic region at a client device, a map server generates a set of base map tiles having vector descriptors, each of which indicates a geometry of a respective map element, in accordance with a non-raster format for rendering a first map image. The map server, at some point, provides the base map tiles to the client device. Upon receiving an indication that a specific map image for the selected geographic region is to be rendered at the client device, the map server further generates a set of difference map tiles that indicate changes to be made to the set of base map tiles and sends the difference map tiles to the client device for use, along with the set of base map tiles, in rendering the requested specific map image. The client device renders the new map view defined by the difference map tiles without needing to again pre-process all of the features or elements defined in the base map tiles, which makes the rendering of the new map view defined by the difference map tiles faster and more efficient in terms of processing power requirements.