Electronic Map Tile Directory for Versioned Cross-Tile Object Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently storing and accessing electronic map data, particularly in scenarios involving shifting geometries and versioned data, which complicates retrieval and modification of map objects across tile boundaries.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a tile directory to efficiently access and manage electronic map data by allowing object data to be stored in different files, with references between files, enabling efficient retrieval and modification while accommodating shifting geometries and supporting versioned data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If object data is stored in a single file associated with a specific tile, then access time is fast and simple, but the system cannot efficiently handle shifting geometries and objects spanning multiple tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into multiple files, each associated with a specific tile. Objects can be stored in the file corresponding to their primary tile, while references to the same object can be placed in adjacent tile files. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast access for objects within a single tile while also supporting objects that span multiple tiles through the reference mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces references as an intermediary mechanism between files. Instead of duplicating entire object data across multiple files, the system stores lightweight references that point to the primary object location. This intermediary approach enables efficient handling of objects spanning tile boundaries without the performance penalty of full duplication, resolving the contradiction between access speed and geometric flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If object data is duplicated across multiple files to support shifting geometries, then adaptability improves, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses selective copying through references rather than full data duplication. When an object spans multiple tiles, the system creates reference entries in adjacent tile files that point to the primary object data location. This copying approach stores only the essential reference information (object ID, location pointer) rather than duplicating the entire object payload, significantly reducing storage requirements while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into primary object storage and reference storage. The main object data resides in one primary file, while segmented reference information is distributed across relevant tile files. This segmentation allows the system to support objects across multiple tiles without proportionally increasing total storage, as the reference data occupies minimal space compared to full object duplication.
3Reliability
If the system maintains versioned data for all map objects, then reliability and ability to revert changes improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements version control by maintaining historical file versions before making modifications. When map data changes occur, the system creates new file versions while preserving the old versions, allowing reverting to previous states. This preliminary action of versioning occurs automatically as part of the data management process, providing reliability without requiring complex manual intervention, as the versioning infrastructure handles the complexity in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The version control system operates autonomously through self-service mechanisms. The system automatically manages version creation, storage, and retrieval without requiring complex external coordination. When changes are made to map objects, the versioning system self-manages the creation of new versions and maintains the version history, reducing the perceived complexity for users while ensuring reliability through automatic version preservation.
4Measurement precision
If the tile directory is updated frequently to reflect geometry changes, then access accuracy improves, but processing overhead and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality updates to the tile directory by modifying only the specific directory entries that correspond to changed objects or tiles, rather than performing full directory refreshes. When geometry changes occur, the system updates only the affected tile file associations and object references in the directory, maintaining high access accuracy for changed elements while minimizing processing overhead by avoiding unnecessary updates to unchanged portions of the directory structure.
Data Source
AI summary
For performance of a map data-related function, a processing system is operative to access electronic map data stored in a plurality of files. Each of the plurality of files is associated with a tile of a tiling. Different tiles relate to different geographic regions. At least some of the files may include references, which are used to obtain object data for at least one map object. A tile directory may provide version information useful for retrieval of the object data.