METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DIGITAL MAP IMAGES OF A UNIFORM FORMAT

A computer-implemented method and associated apparatus for generating digital map images of a uniform format. Bit mapped map images corresponding to a printed map are obtained by scanning or other means. A bit mapped map image is then cropped to select a map image corresponding to a desired geographic area, such as a one degree by one degree area. The boundaries of the selected map image are moved to shape the geographic area into a tessellated shape, such as a rectangle. The selected map image is then re-sized to contain a predetermined pixel area. The map image, now of a uniform format, is then stored with an identifier of a reference point and size of the geographic area represented by the map image. For example, the identifier may be the name of a computer-readable file containing the map image.