Dynamic Virtual Map Tile Generation via Ad Hoc Specifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing map server technologies face challenges with inflexible and outdated map tiles, which consume significant storage and computing resources, as they are pre-generated according to a fixed protocol, limiting customization and freshness of map content.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computing system that generates virtual map tiles on-demand based on ad hoc specifications provided by client devices, allowing for dynamic and customizable content and formatting, thereby avoiding the need for pre-generation and caching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If map tiles are pre-generated according to a fixed protocol, then map tiles are readily available for serving requests, but map tiles become outdated and inflexible, consuming significant storage resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pre-generated map tiles to dynamic on-demand generation. Map tiles are generated according to ad hoc specifications received from client devices, allowing the content and format to be dynamically adjusted based on current data and client requirements, resolving the contradiction between availability and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of map tile generation by accepting ad hoc specifications that define custom content, format, and rendering parameters. This allows map tiles to be generated with updated data and customized formatting, eliminating the outdated and inflexible nature of pre-generated tiles while maintaining efficient serving capability
2Speed
If map tiles are pre-generated in batch process, then serving requests is fast, but the computing intensive task interrupts availability and consumes significant storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by preparing and caching the underlying map data in advance, rather than pre-generating complete map tiles. This allows rapid on-demand generation of tiles when requests arrive, achieving fast serving speed without storing numerous pre-generated tiles that consume significant storage space
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of caching numerous complete map tiles, the system caches the source map data and generates tile copies on-demand. This reduces storage consumption by storing only the essential source data while still enabling rapid tile generation and serving when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If map tiles are generated on-demand according to ad hoc specifications, then map content is fresh and flexible, but computing resources are consumed for each request
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing by caching the underlying map data in an optimized format before requests arrive. When on-demand generation is triggered, this pre-prepared data reduces the actual computing work required, balancing customization capability with reduced per-request computing resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the balance between customization and computing cost by accepting ad hoc specifications that allow clients to request only the specific content and format they need. This prevents unnecessary computation of unused tile variations while still providing fresh and flexible map content tailored to actual requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Computerized systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with generating virtual map tiles according to an ad hoc specification are described. In one embodiment, a method includes defining, in response to receiving a request through an interface of a map server, virtual map tiles according to an ad hoc specification. The ad hoc specification indicates characteristics of the virtual map tiles including at least a format and map content of the virtual map tiles. The method includes computing the virtual map tiles from at least the map content specified by the ad hoc specification and according to the format indicated by the ad hoc specification. Computing the virtual map tiles includes computing the virtual map tiles in response to receiving the request. The method includes transmitting the virtual map tiles to a client device to cause the viewable region of the electronic map to be displayed on the client device.