Client-server architecture for accessing multimedia and geographic databases within embedded systems

We present a software architecture that is dedicated to the development of an information system embedded in a vehicle allowing access to multimedia and geographic databases. This system provides some functionality of a navigation system and uses a Global Positioning System for recognizing the position of the vehicle. The client-server architecture allows communication between the components of the system, as well as access to various information sources. Communications are based on the use of a cellular phone and Internet connection. Web browser and Java applets are used for information presentation and processing. The combined use of embedded local server and distant servers is one of the main characteristics of the system.