COMBINING BITMAPS WITHIN A MEMORY LIMIT

A method for combining within memory a limit, a plurality of bitmap streams from bitmaps of indefinite size and number. The bitmap streams are merged into a resulting bitmap which can be used in subsequent logical operations. In order to perform a merge within a memory limit, the method relies on the data compression. When compression by itself may be ineffective, the method produces a resulting bitmap for a reduced range. The ensures the production of a resulting bitmap. When the range is reduced, the method may be repeated to produce a merge for a range beyond the reduced range.