Variable Radius Map Tile Pre-fetching for Mobile Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mapping applications on mobile devices face inefficiencies in data management due to large map data requirements, leading to increased download times and memory usage, especially when conventional techniques fail to leverage memory surpluses and network bandwidth effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for pre-fetching map data tiles from a remote database based on identified points of interest and zoom levels, where the client device determines the necessary tile radius for each zoom level to request and store pre-fetch map data tiles for efficient rendering, reducing the need for frequent server access during user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all map data tiles are downloaded to the mobile device, then complete map coverage is available for display, but download time and buffer memory usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments map data into discrete tiles organized by zoom levels, allowing selective downloading of only the tiles needed for current and anticipated user views rather than downloading entire map datasets. This segmentation enables the system to manage large map datasets efficiently by loading manageable portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and caching map tiles that are likely to be needed based on the user's current location, movement patterns, and anticipated routing needs. This preliminary loading of data before it is explicitly requested reduces wait times during actual map usage.
2Reliability
If all map data tiles are downloaded to the mobile device, then complete map coverage is available for display, but buffer memory usage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting map data into individual tiles organized by geographic location and zoom level, the system can store only the specific tiles that are currently or soon-to-be needed, rather than loading entire map datasets into buffer memory. This segmentation allows efficient memory management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by determining which specific map tiles to cache based on local user context including current position, direction of travel, and routing requirements. Only the locally relevant tiles are downloaded and cached, optimizing memory usage while ensuring data availability where needed.
3Productivity
If map data is downloaded based on user location and zoom level, then network bandwidth is utilized efficiently, but the system must continuously monitor user interaction to determine download needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively pre-fetching map tiles that are anticipated to be needed based on user movement patterns and routing information, rather than waiting for explicit user requests. This reduces the complexity of real-time data management while optimizing network bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring user interaction patterns, device orientation, and routing information to dynamically adjust which map tiles should be downloaded and cached. This feedback loop enables efficient bandwidth usage while adapting to changing user needs without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-fetching map data system and method identifies a subset of map data to corresponding to one or more points of interest to be displayed on the map. The map data is stored on a remote map database and in the form of map data tiles. The system identifies those map data tiles that correspond to the subset of map data corresponding to the one or more points of interest, where the identified pre-fetch map data tiles are sent from the remote database to a client device for cache storage. The pre-fetch map data tiles are identified using a variable map tile radius, which when extended from the points of interest defines the map tiles that qualify as pre-fetch map data tiles. The tile radius can be fixed or dynamically adjusted and changes across different map zoom levels.