Dynamic use of map images in mobile environment

We propose a dynamic map image handling system in a mobile environment with low computing and storage resources. We utilize a previously developed map image storage format (see Franti, P. et al., Spatial Data Handling 2002 Symp. - SDH´02, 2002), in which the maps are stored in compressed raster formats in separated logical binary layers. The proposed method combines the map dynamically from smaller image fragments retrieved on an on-demand basis. In this way, it is possible to design a cheap and low resource real-time map handling system for a client device. The system can be implemented using current wireless network bandwidth capacity, and existing compression technology. The applications are in personal navigation.