Multi-Tile Map Request Mechanism for Reducing HTTP Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital map rendering techniques face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple HTTP requests for each map tile, leading to communication overhead and potential stalled requests when the number of concurrent requests exceeds browser limits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-tile request mechanism where a single content request identifies multiple contiguous or non-contiguous map tiles, allowing for their simultaneous retrieval from a server without the need for individual requests, using a combination of unique and relative tile identifiers to reduce communication overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual HTTP requests are sent for each map tile, then each tile can be fetched independently, but communication overhead increases significantly and browser request limits may be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual HTTP requests into a single HTTP request that retrieves multiple map tiles simultaneously. The server responds with a JSON object containing all requested tiles, eliminating the need for multiple separate requests and reducing communication overhead while maintaining reliable tile retrieval.
2Productivity
If multiple concurrent HTTP requests are sent for different map tiles, then tile retrieval speed increases, but requests may stall when exceeding browser limits
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple tile requests into a single HTTP call, the patent avoids hitting browser concurrent request limits while still retrieving multiple tiles efficiently. The server processes all requested tiles in one response, ensuring reliable completion without stalling.
3Loss of energy
If a single HTTP request fetches multiple map tiles, then communication overhead is reduced, but the request structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter structure of the HTTP request by introducing a JSON object with a 'tiles' key that contains an array of tile identifiers. This standardized parameter format simplifies the request structure while enabling multiple tiles to be fetched in a single request, reducing communication overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for efficiently fetching map tiles for digital maps includes receiving, at a client device such as a mapping user interface device, a request to display a digital map and identifying a plurality of map tiles for the request, each map tile representing a portion of the digital map. The user interface device generates a single map content request including multiple identifiers corresponding to the plurality of map tiles. The user interface device then sends the map content request to a map content server as a single request requesting multiple map tiles. In response to the map content request, the map content server retrieves the plurality of map tiles from a content database and sends the plurality of map tiles to the client device. The client device can then display the digital map based on the plurality of map tiles.