Using Styled Layer Descriptor (SLD) for the Dynamic Generation of User- and Context-Adaptive Mobile Maps - A Technical Framework

The well known OGC Styled Layer Descriptor (SLD) specification allows to specify the design of a map. On the other hand in LBS and UbiGIS maps need to be generated dynamically taking a lot of factors into account which describe the current user, situation and context. We present how to transform such user and context models with a base map represented as SLD resulting in an “adapted” SLD. Further we discuss how to apply these in order to generate SVG-based mobile maps. In order to generate base maps represented as SLD we developed a ArcMap2SLD-generator. This tool allows designing a map using ESRI ArcMap and automatically converting it into a valid SLD-file. This acts as a base for modifications using the mentioned user and context models. Using this SLD as parameter within WMS-requests results in an “adapted map”. We explain this approach and discuss potentials and weaknesses.