Dynamic Offline Map Data Expiration for Mobile Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital mapping applications on portable devices face challenges in managing offline map data efficiently, as they lack dynamic expiration mechanisms that consider user behavior and memory constraints, leading to suboptimal storage and retrieval of map data.
Innovation Solution
A digital mapping application determines the expiration time of offline map data based on user behavior signals such as visit frequency, proximity to the user's locations, and memory availability, dynamically removing data to optimize storage and ensure timely updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offline map data is cached in the device memory, then map data availability for offline use is improved, but memory storage is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data retention time by implementing dynamic expiration times for cached map data. The system monitors user behavior patterns and automatically adjusts how long map data remains in cache, removing data that is no longer needed while keeping frequently accessed data available longer. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing memory usage without completely eliminating offline availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where map data is discarded from cache after a determined expiration time, and can be recovered (re-fetched) when needed again. The system intelligently discards less frequently used map data to free memory space, while maintaining the ability to recover and re-cache data when user requests indicate it will be needed again, thus balancing memory consumption with data availability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If map data is retained in cache for longer periods, then offline access reliability is improved, but memory resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the data retention time flexible rather than static. Instead of keeping all map data in cache for fixed long periods, the system dynamically adjusts retention duration based on user behavior analysis, device memory status, and data usage patterns. This allows the system to extend retention for important data while automatically shortening or eliminating retention for less critical data, optimizing the balance between availability and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring whether users actually access cached map data and using this information to adjust retention strategies. If monitored data shows that certain map areas are not being accessed despite being cached, the system feedback-induces shorter expiration times or removal of that data. Conversely, frequently accessed data receives extended retention, thereby preventing memory resource waste while maintaining necessary offline access capability.
3Productivity
If offline map data is automatically removed based on expiration time, then memory efficiency is improved, but data availability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively determining expiration times for cached map data based on predicted user needs rather than waiting for memory to fill up or users to report missing data. The system analyzes user behavior patterns in advance and sets appropriate expiration times, pre-emptively removing data that is unlikely to be needed while retaining data that has a high probability of future use. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining data availability through intelligent prediction while optimizing memory efficiency through proactive data management.
Data Source
AI summary
Map data is fetched into a memory of a computing device for generating a digital map of a geographic area. In response to a request for the digital map, the map data is retrieved from the memory to generate the digital map. A determination is made whether a user of the computing device is likely to request the digital map again within a certain period of time, and a time when the map data should be removed from the memory is then determined based at least in part on this determination. The map data is removed from the memory at the determined time.