Wireless Navigation Data Compression via Server-Side Tiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless client-server navigation systems face high data transmission costs due to the need to transmit large amounts of geographic data, which is not efficiently managed in existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces data transmission by generating and transmitting map-related features in a data-reduced format, achieved through methods such as tiling, curve approximation, point removal, and data compression, allowing for efficient data representation and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full-resolution geographic data is transmitted to mobile units, then map display accuracy and navigation precision are improved, but data transmission costs and network bandwidth consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides geographic data into hierarchical levels of detail (LOD), segmenting map features into different resolution tiers based on their importance and visual significance. Critical navigation elements like routes and landmarks are transmitted at high resolution, while less critical background features are transmitted at lower resolution or omitted entirely, reducing overall data volume while maintaining essential navigation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different data transmission qualities to different geographic regions and feature types based on their local importance. Areas along the planned navigation route receive high-resolution data, while distant or less relevant areas receive lower-resolution data. This localized quality adjustment ensures navigation-critical information is accurate while minimizing unnecessary data transmission
2Reliability
If detailed map features and high-resolution geographic data are transmitted, then navigation reliability and route accuracy are improved, but transmission time and system latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of geographic data on the server side before transmission, pre-calculating and pre-formatting navigation routes, selecting only essential features, and pre-compressing data according to predicted navigation needs. This preliminary action reduces the amount of data requiring transmission and eliminates processing delays at the mobile unit, thereby reducing transmission time while maintaining navigation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential navigation elements required for safe and effective navigation, omitting unnecessary detailed map features. The server identifies and extracts critical information such as route geometry, turn-by-turn instructions, and important landmarks, while excluding redundant decorative or non-essential map elements, thus reducing transmission time without compromising navigation reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive geographic data is transmitted to all mobile units, then system versatility and map functionality are improved, but operational costs and data infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data transmission that adapts to each user's specific navigation needs, device capabilities, and current context. The system dynamically adjusts which data elements are transmitted based on real-time factors such as route complexity, device screen resolution, battery status, and user preferences, ensuring each user receives only the data necessary for their specific navigation task rather than comprehensive data for all users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting sufficient data to meet minimum navigation requirements without providing excessive comprehensive data. The system identifies the minimum necessary data subset required for safe navigation and transmits only that portion, avoiding the cost of transmitting redundant or overly comprehensive geographic information that would exceed what is actually needed for functional navigation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus reduce data transmission in a wireless client-server navigation system. A request for data representative of a map-related feature is received at a server from a mobile unit. Data describing the feature is obtained in the form of line segments interconnecting points having coordinates. An operation is performed on the data to generate data representing the feature in a data-reduced format, and the reduced-format data is forwarded to the mobile unit. The operation may include receiving map data; partitioning the map into tiles; designating a reference point within each tile; representing data points as offsets from the reference points. Alternatively, the operation may include approximating the feature with a curve. In a further alternative embodiment, the operation may include removing one or more of the points such that the feature is represented with line segments interconnecting the remaining points.