
Chapter 7
Processing Digital Maps
7.1 Introduction
In the last chapter, traces were displayed on top of a map image for an
observer to visually validate the trace. For a computer, these images are
practically useless, and it would be almost impossible for the computer to
identify roads. A machine can only interpret digital maps describing the
mapped area by structured information —often referred to as spatial data.
In the context of the ROAF project, digital maps are vital for the ori-
entation of real objects. Digital maps bind real objects and real-object
applications together. Externally, the map describes the object’s environ-
ment, while the object ...