Dynamic Vector Map Tile Subdivision for Mobile Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mapping systems face challenges in providing map tiles for devices with varying screen sizes and limited memory or bandwidth, particularly for compact mobile devices that struggle to store and transmit large map tiles efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system where a map server receives requests for vector map sub-tiles, identifies corresponding pre-generated vector map tiles, divides them into multiple sub-tiles, and transmits only the necessary features and attributes to the device, allowing for efficient rendering of map views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If pre-generated map tiles are sized for desktop computers to prevent the need for large numbers of tiles, then map display coverage is improved, but memory requirements and bandwidth consumption increase significantly for compact mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a large map tile into multiple smaller sub-tiles, each corresponding to a specific viewport region. This segmentation allows mobile devices to request and receive only the sub-tiles needed for their current view, rather than receiving entire large map tiles designed for desktop screens. The server generates sub-tiles by dividing the parent map tile along geographic grid lines, enabling efficient delivery of map data scaled to various device screen sizes.
2Area of stationary object
If large map tiles are transmitted to compact mobile devices, then complete map views can be displayed, but bandwidth consumption increases and update timing becomes delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The server extracts and transmits only the specific sub-tile data needed for the mobile device's current viewport, rather than transmitting entire large map tiles. This extraction process identifies which sub-tiles fall within the device's visible area and sends only those, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while ensuring complete map coverage for the displayed region.
3Device complexity
If pre-generated map tiles are optimized for desktop screen sizes, then the number of tiles required is reduced, but adaptability to various mobile device screen sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically generates sub-tiles from parent map tiles based on the specific requirements of each requesting device. Rather than using fixed pre-generated tiles for all devices, the server adapts the map tile division and selection process to match each device's screen dimensions, resolution, and viewport, enabling seamless adaptation across diverse mobile devices while maintaining efficient tile management.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for providing vector map data for generating a view of a map in a mapping application. In one example process, a request for a vector map sub-tile can be received by a map server. The map server can identify a pre-generated vector map tile corresponding to the requested vector map sub-tile and can generate the requested vector map sub-tile from the identified vector map tile by dividing the vector map tile into two or more vector map sub-tiles. In some examples, dividing the vector map tile into multiple vector map sub-tiles can include identifying features and attributes of the vector map tile that should be included in the requested vector map sub-tile and generating the requested vector map sub-tile to include these features and attributes. The map server can then transmit the requested vector map sub-tile to the requesting electronic device.