DATA MANAGEMENT IN A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

1 . A method for management of data transmission in a geographical information system in which a spatial environment is represented according to representation data with reference to geographical areas; said geographical information system comprising a server and a terminal connected via a communication network; the server storing the representation data according to the geographical areas; said method comprising the following, carried out at the level of the terminal:

selecting a plurality of geographical areas as a function of a criterion relating to a current load level of the terminal;

sending a request to the server indicating said plurality of geographical areas selected; and

receiving representation data according to a continuous transmission protocol.

2 . The management method according to claim 1 :

wherein the representation data are of different types; and

wherein at least one data type is chosen per geographical area selected from the plurality of geographical areas.

3 . The management method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting the plurality of geographical areas is also a function of a current load level of the communication network.

4 . The management method according to claim 1 :

wherein the request from the terminal to the server indicates a current location and an orientation in the spatial environment; and

wherein the representation data received correspond to the representation data adapted to the current location and to the orientation in the spatial environment.

5 . A method for the management of data transmission in a geographical information system in which a spatial environment is represented according to representation data with reference to geographical areas; said geographical information system comprising a server and a terminal connected via a communication network; the server storing the representation data according to the geographical areas; said method comprising the following, carried out at the level of the server:

receiving, at the server, a request indicating a plurality of geographical areas;

determining representation data according to said plurality of geographical areas; and

transmitting said representation data to the terminal according to a continuous transmission protocol.

6 . The data management method according to claim 5 :

wherein the request from the terminal to the server indicates a current location and an orientation in the spatial environment; and

wherein the transmitted representation data are selected according to the current location and orientation in the spatial environment.

7 . A terminal in a geographical information system in which a spatial environment is represented according to representation data with reference to geographical areas; said geographical information system comprising a server connected to the terminal via a communication network; the server storing the representation data according to the geographical areas; said terminal comprising:

a selection unit capable of selecting a plurality of geographical areas as a function of a criterion relating to a current load level of the terminal;

a transmission unit capable of sending a request to the server indicating said plurality of geographical areas selected; and

a receiving unit capable of receiving representation data according to a continuous transmission protocol.

8 . A server in a geographical information system in which a spatial environment is represented according to representation data with reference to geographical areas; said geographical information system comprising a terminal connected to the server via a communication network; the server comprising:

a database adapted to store the representation data according to the geographical areas;

a receiving unit adapted to receive a request indicating a plurality of geographical areas;

a determination unit adapted to determine representation data according to said plurality of geographical areas; and

a transmission unit adapted to transmit said representation data to the terminal according to a continuous transmission protocol.

9 . A geographical information system in which a spatial environment is represented according to representation data with reference to geographical areas; said system comprising a terminal according to claim 7 and a server according to claim 8 .

10 . A computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method for the management of the reception of data according to claim 1 when this program is executed by a processor.

11 . A computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method for the management of data transmission according to claim 5 when this program is executed by a processor.