Map Tile Versioning for Rendering Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rendering map tiles from vector data for large or complex maps can take a significant amount of time, typically days or weeks, and existing systems lack efficient methods for managing updates and combining different types of map tiles for dynamic display.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that combines bulk rendered map tiles with individually rerendered map tiles, using unique version identifiers to manage and distribute updated map tiles efficiently, allowing for faster rendering and display of combined map tiles across multiple servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If map tiles are rendered from vector data for large or complex maps, then the map tiles can be generated with high detail and accuracy, but the rendering time increases significantly to days or weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments map tiles into two types: bulk-rendered tiles for stable areas and individually rerendered tiles for areas with changes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high detail accuracy where needed while avoiding unnecessary re-rendering of unchanged areas, thereby reducing overall rendering time from days or weeks to a much shorter duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary bulk rendering of all map tiles in advance, then only individually rerenders tiles that have changed. This preliminary action creates a baseline set of tiles that can be quickly combined with updated tiles, eliminating the need to re-render entire large or complex maps and significantly reducing rendering time while preserving detail accuracy.
2Reliability
If individual map tiles are rerendered frequently to reflect updates, then the map content remains current and accurate, but the computational resources and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rerendering all map tiles frequently to ensure currency, the system applies partial action by only individually rerendering tiles that have actually changed. This approach maintains map content accuracy and reliability while avoiding the excessive computational resources and time that would be required to rerender the entire map set, thereby improving update efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses version identifiers and change detection mechanisms to determine which tiles need updating. This feedback loop allows the system to identify only the necessary tiles for rerendering, maintaining current and accurate map content while optimizing resource usage and update efficiency by avoiding redundant rendering operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of map tiles are combined for dynamic display, then the map system becomes more versatile and adaptable to different user needs, but the complexity of managing and coordinating these tiles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal tile structure where all map tiles (bulk and individual) share common characteristics and can be combined in various ways. This multi-functionality allows the same tile infrastructure to support different map types and combinations, increasing versatility while managing complexity through a unified approach rather than separate systems for each map type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses version identifiers as intermediaries to manage and coordinate multiple types of map tiles. These identifiers act as a mediator that tracks the state and relationships between different tile types, enabling flexible combination and adaptation while simplifying the management complexity through a standardized identification and coordination mechanism.
4Productivity
If bulk rendered map tiles are used instead of individual rerendered tiles, then the rendering time is significantly reduced, but the map tiles may not reflect the most recent updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges bulk-rendered tiles with individually rerendered tiles to create a combined map set. This combination allows the system to benefit from the fast rendering of bulk tiles while incorporating the freshness of individually updated tiles, thereby achieving both high rendering speed and reliable update freshness simultaneously rather than having to choose one over the other.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method for accessing map tiles. The method includes receiving a first request from a computing device for a portion of a map. The portion of the map includes combined map tiles that are a combination of corresponding ones of first map tiles from a first type of map and second map tiles from a second type of map. The method further includes providing first tile version identifiers and second tile version identifiers to the computing device in response to receiving the first request. The method further includes providing instructions to the computing device for using the first tile version identifiers and the second tile version identifiers to request the combined map tiles.