MapMosaic: dynamic layer compositing for interactive geovisualization

GIS software applications and other mapping tools enable users to correlate data from multiple layers and gain insight from the resulting visualizations. However, most of these applications only feature basic, monolithic layer compositing techniques. These techniques do not always support users effectively in their tasks, as we observed during interviews with GIS experts. We introduce MapMosaic, a novel approach based on dynamic visual compositing that enables users to interactively create and manipulate local composites of multiple vector and raster map layers, taking into account the semantics and attribute values of objects and fields in the compositing process. We evaluate MapMosaic ’s interaction model against that of QGIS (a widely used desktop GIS) and MAPublisher (a professional cartography tool) using the ‘Cognitive Dimensions’ framework and through an analytical comparison, showing that MapMosaic ’s model is more flexible and can support users more effectively in their tasks. We also report on feedback obtained from experts, which further confirms the potential of this highly dynamic approach to map layer compositing.     

An event-based spatiotemporal data model (ESTDM) for temporal analysis of geographical data

Abstract

Representations historically used within GIS assume a world that exists only in the present. Information contained within a spatial database may be added-to or modified over time, but a sense of change or dynamics through time is not maintained. This limitation of current GIS capabilities has recently received substantial attention, given the increasingly urgent need to better understand geographical processes and the cause-and-effect interrelationships between human activities and the environment. Models proposed so-far for the representation of spatiotemporal data are extensions of traditional raster and vector representations that can be seen as location- or feature-based, respectively, and are therefore best organized for performing either location-based or feature-based queries. Neither form is as well-suited for analysing overall temporal relationships of events and patterns of events throughout a geographical area as a temporally-based representation.

In the current paper, a new spatio-temporal data model is proposed that is based on time as its organizational basis, and is thereby intended to facilitate analysis of temporal relationships and patterns of change through time. This model is named the Event-based Spatio Temporal Data Model (ESTDM). It is shown that temporally-based queries relating to locations can be implemented in an efficient and conceptually straightforward manner using ESTDM by describing algorithms for three fundamental temporally-based retrieval tasks based on this model: (1) retrieving location(s) that changed to a given value at a given time, (2) retrieving location(s) that changed to a given value over a given temporal interval, and (3) calculation of the total area that has changed to a given value over a given temporal interval. An empirical comparison of the space efficiency of ESTDM and compressed and uncompressed forms of the ‘snapshot’ model is also given, showing that ESTDM is also a compact representation of spatio-temporal information.     

基于对象关系数据库的时空数据模型研究

一体化时空数据建模是新一代GIS理论与技术研究的重要基础。基于对象关系数据库探讨时空数据库的数据建模方法,提出综合考虑矢量和栅格数据一体化的时空数据模型。首先基于基本类型派生定义矢量和栅格抽象数据类型,在此基础上定义时空数据类型为一系列空间类型的时间片序列。该抽象数据类型的定义包括其数据对象和相关操作,将其嵌入对象关系数据库中,扩展其时空数据的存储和查询能力。利用该数据模型,可以统一考虑矢量和栅格数据,建立基于对象关系的时空数据库,并支持矢量—栅格一体化时空数据访问和操作,进而对新一代GIS技术的研究与实现起到重要支撑作用。     

定性GIS在时空间行为研究中的应用

定性GIS已经成为地理学混合研究方法的重要组成部分,通过扎根理论并与可视化结合、GIS和民族志整合等途径,对时空间行为研究产生了深远的影响。其通过文本或非文本质性材料与GIS地理特征的整合,形成了时空行为研究中独特的地理环境系统与空间机制分析,一个重要的前沿领域就是地理叙事在时间地理学研究中的应用。时间地理学是研究人类时空行为的重要视角,但由于对个体主观性及行为的社会文化因素的相对忽视等原因,受到了一定的质疑。近年来以GIS为代表的地理空间技术的定性分析与表达,为时间地理学融入质性分析提供了方法论基础。关美宝创建的基于GIS的地理叙事方法,通过借鉴叙事分析的一般方法尤其是三维叙事空间分析,结合时间地理学概念框架,开发了基于GIS平台的计算机辅助叙事分析组件(3D-VQGIS),实现了在GIS内可视化的、循环交互的叙事分析,为定性GIS发展中GIS与叙事分析方法的融合做出了贡献。将地理叙事方法用于时空行为研究,可以为时间地理学方法创造一个更便于理解与解释研究对象日常行为的地理环境,为其融入行为与主体的质性分析提供从数据整合、数据分析到解释与展示的一整套研究方法与具体操作工具。     

Integration of spatial data in vector and raster formats in a geographic information system environment

This paper examines the common methods for converting spatial data sets between vector and raster formats and presents the results of extensive benchmark testing of these procedures. The tests performed are unique in this field since: (1) they used both synthetic and real test data sets; (2) they measured conversion quality, accuracy and efficiency, not just how fast the procedure operated; and (3) they were conducted in a generic geographic information system (GIS) environment without the aid of specialized computer hardware. The results show that the best overall techniques are the ones which take advantage of spatial relationships inherent in the data sets. These were the Scan Line algorithm for vector to raster conversions and the Boundary Linking algorithm for raster to vector conversions.     

Quadtree storage of vector data†

Abstract

Vector data storage has various advantages in a cartographic or geographical information system (GIS) environment, but lacks internal spatial relationships between individual features. Quadtree structures have been extensively used to store and access raster data. This paper shows how quadtree methods may be adapted for use in spatially indexing vector data. It demonstrates that a vector quadtree stored in floating point representation overcomes the classical problem with raster quadtrees of data approximation. Examples of vector quadtrees applied to realistic size data sets are given     

发展时态GIS的可操作性时空数据模型

当前GIS广泛采用的空间数据模型不足以满足时态GIS发展的需要。该文探讨时态GIS所需的、可操作性时空数据模型,并且以土地利用和交通发展的时空相互作用为例,说明如何设计和实施相关的时空数据模型,用于支持发展时态GIS。     

多维统一GIS构建与实现的几何代数方法

针对时空GIS发展所面临的时空表达不统一,高维扩展困难等问题,基于以多维统一和坐标无关为特征的几何代数理论,建立多维统一GIS构建的层次体系与方法。利用几何代数对象构造中几何维度与Grassmann维度的一致性,实现整合维度结构与几何关系的多维地理对象自适应表达。利用几何代数算子的特征内蕴与结构明晰特性,构建多维统一计算模型以及可支撑复杂地理计算的多维统一分析框架,进而建立基于几何代数的多维统一GIS系统架构与实现方案。对上述关键技术加以实现并进行了相关应用案例分析。结果显示,基于几何代数构建的多维统一GIS有望突破现有时空GIS的不足,可为以多维统一表达与运算为特征GIS的发展提供新的数学工具与实现途径。     

Java环境下基于Hibernate的GIS数据库访问策略

全关系型数据存储模式将GIS数据的空间数据和属性数据统一存储于关系数据库中,分析Java应用程序通过JDBC和SQL语言访问关系数据库中存储的GIS数据的不足,提出基于。Hibernate的解决方案,并给出地理信息共享系统的开发实例。     

GIS作为新一代地理学语言的特征(英文)

Language plays a vital role in the communication, sharing and transmission of information among human beings. Geographical languages are essential for understanding, investigating, representing and propagating geo-spatial information. Geographical languages have developed and evolved gradually with improvements in science, technology and cognitive levels. Concerning the theoretical progress from geographical information ontology, epistemology and linguistic theory, this paper firstly puts forward the concept of a GIS language and discusses its basic characteristics according to changes in the structures, functions and characteristics of geographical languages. This GIS language can be regarded as a system of synthetic digital symbols. It is a comprehensive representation of geographical objects, phenomena and their spatial distributions and dynamic processes. This representation helps us generate a universal perception of geographical space using geographical scenarios or symbols with geometry, statuses, processes, spatio-temporal relationships, semantics and attributes. Furthermore, this paper states that the GIS language represents a new generation of geographical language due to its intrinsic characteristics, structures, functions and systematic content. Based on the aforementioned theoretical foundation, this paper illustrates the pivotal status and contributions of the GIS language from the perspective of geographical researchers. The language of GIS is a new geographical language designed for the current era, with features including spatio-temporal multi-dimension representation, interactive visualization, virtual geographical scenarios, multi-sensor perception and expedient broadcasting via the web. The GIS language is the highest-level geographical language developed to date, integrating semantic definitions, feature extraction, geographical dynamic representation and spatio-temporal factors and unifying the computation of geographical phenomena and objects. The GIS language possesses five important characteristics: abstraction, systematicness, strictness, precision and hierarchy. In summary, the GIS language provides a new means forpeople to recognize, understand and simulate entire geo-environments. Therefore, exploration of the GIS language’s functions in contemporary geographical developments is becoming increasingly important. Similarly, construction of the conceptual model and scientific systems of the GIS language will promote the development of the disciplines of geography and geographical information sciences. Therefore, this paper investigates the prospects of the GIS language from the perspectives of digital technology, geographical norms, geographical modeling and the disciplinary development of geography.     

An object-based conceptual framework and computational method for representing and analyzing coastal morphological changes

This article presents an object-based conceptual framework and numerical algorithms for representing and analyzing coastal morphological and volumetric changes based on repeat airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveys. This method identifies and delineates individual zones of erosion and deposition as discrete objects. The explicit object representation of erosion and deposition zones is consistent with the perception and cognition of human analysts and geomorphologists. The extracted objects provide ontological and epistemological foundation to localize, represent, and interpret erosion and deposition patches for better coastal resource management and erosion control. The discrete objects are much better information carriers than the grid cells in the field-based representation of source data. A set of spatial and volumetric attributes are derived to characterize and quantify location, area, shape, orientation, depth, volume, and other properties of erosion and deposition objects. Compared with the conventional cell-by-cell differencing approaches, our object-based method gives a concise and high-level representation of information and knowledge about coastal morphological dynamics. The derived attributes enable the discrimination of true morphological changes from artifacts caused by data noise and processing errors. Furthermore, the concise object representation of erosion and deposition zones facilitates overlay analysis in conjunction with other GIS data layers for understanding the causes and impacts of morphological and volumetric changes. We have implemented a software tool for our object-based morphological analysis, which will be freely available for the public. An example is used to demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of this new method.     

体绘制技术在地学3D GIS 可视化中的应用研究

体绘制技术是目前科学计算可视化研究的一个重要组成部分，对地质体内部属性分布的可视化有重要意义。该文针对地学研究中几何建模和属性建模同样重要的特点，基于一种矢栅一体化的混合数据模型，对地质体表面采用三角面片描述几何形状，对地质体内部采用基于八叉树的自适应网格剖分技术描述内部属性特征。对网格剖分后的体数据，采用体元投射的体绘制技术进行地质体内部属性可视化，显示出很好的效果，具有实际应用意义。     

A new geographical language：A perspective of GIS

Language plays a vital role in the communication, sharing and transmission of information among human beings. Geographical languages are essential for understanding, investigating, representing and propagating geo-spatial information. Geographical languages have developed and evolved gradually with improvements in science, technology and cognitive levels. Concerning the theoretical progress from geographical information ontology, epistemology and linguistic theory, this paper firstly puts forward the concept of a GIS language and discusses its basic characteristics according to changes in the structures, functions and characteristics of geographical languages. This GIS language can be regarded as a system of synthetic digital symbols. It is a comprehensive representation of geographical objects, phenomena and their spatial distributions and dynamic processes. This representation helps us generate a universal perception of geographical space using geographical scenarios or symbols with geometry, statuses, processes, spatio-temporal relationships, semantics and attributes. Furthermore, this paper states that the GIS language represents a new generation of geographical language due to its intrinsic characteristics, structures, functions and systematic content. Based on the aforementioned theoretical foundation, this paper illustrates the pivotal status and contributions of the GIS language from the perspective of geographical researchers. The language of GIS is a new geographical language designed for the current era, with features including spatio-temporal multi-dimension representation, interactive visualization, virtual geographical scenarios, multi-sensor perception and expedient broadcasting via the web. The GIS language is the highest-level geographical language developed to date, integrating semantic definitions, feature extraction, geographical dynamic representation and spatio-temporal factors and unifying the computation of geographical phenomena and objects. The GIS language possesses five important characteristics: abstraction, systematicness, strictness, precision and hierarchy. In summary, the GIS language provides a new means for people to recognize, understand and simulate entire geo-environments. Therefore, exploration of the GIS language’s functions in contemporary geographical developments is becoming increasingly important. Similarly, construction of the conceptual model and scientific systems of the GIS language will promote the development of the disciplines of geography and geographical information sciences. Therefore, this paper investigates the prospects of the GIS language from the perspectives of digital technology, geographical norms, geographical modeling and the disciplinary development of geography.     

数字拓扑研究现状及其在GIS中的应用

数字拓扑主要研究栅格空间中离散几何对象的拓扑性质,这些性质在GIS空间分析和栅格数据处理中非常重要。该文从图论、混合拓扑和公理型3方面对数字拓扑的研究现状进行了分类和综述,并讨论数字拓扑在GIS领域的应用,指出三维数字拓扑和球面数字拓扑是数字拓扑在GIS中的两个发展趋势和研究热点。     

过程地理信息系统框架基础与原型构建

GIS的发展正在从基于空间状态的“静态”基础走向基于时空过程的”动态”基础。作者提出了过程地理信息系统(PGIS)的概念及其理论框架体系。本文剖析了PGIS中过程所在的时空范畴,阐述了过程在PGIS中的含义及其结构,并探讨了PGIS基本空间框架、体系结构和过程仓库的理论基础。在此基础上,定义了PGIS的基本时空处理分析功能范畴,从过程的时空特性出发,结合所研发的海洋地理信息系统平台MaXplorer,阐述了PGIS不同于传统GIS的相关功能,即过程管理、可视化、特征化、对象化、逻辑运算和符号化等。     

Modelling three‐dimensional geoscientific fields with the Voronoi diagram and its dual

Fields as found in the geosciences have properties that are not usually found in other disciplines: the phenomena studied are often three‐dimensional (3D), they tend to change continuously over time, and the collection of samples to study the phenomena is problematic, which often results in highly anisotropic distributions of samples. In the geographical information system (GIS) community, raster structures (voxels or octrees) are the most popular solutions, but, as we show in this paper, they have shortcomings for modelling and analysing 3D geoscientific fields. As an alternative to using rasters, we propose a new spatial model based on the Voronoi diagram (VD) and its dual the Delaunay tetrahedralisation (DT), and argue that they have many advantages over other tessellations. We discuss the main properties of the 3D VD/DT, present some GIS operations that are greatly simplified when the VD/DT is used, and, to analyse two or more fields, we also present a variant of the map algebra framework where all the operations are performed directly on VDs. The usefulness of this Voronoi‐based spatial model is demonstrated with a series of potential applications.     

矢量数据向栅格数据转换的一种改进算法

地理信息系统的发展与空间数据结构的优化密不可分,栅格数据与矢量数据之间的高效转换是GIS的关键技术之一。由于栅格数据十分有利于空间分析中的叠置分析,因而通常需要将矢量数据转换成栅格数据。该文分析对比了地理信息系统的两种基本数据结构,在总结已往矢量数据转换为栅格数据方法的基础上,依据边界代数多边形填充算法的基本原理,结合绘图作业时采用的正负法,提出了一种改进的折线边界(数据串)跟踪方法。该算法原理简单,不需进行复杂的距离比较运算,运算速度快,并且通过简单的角度判断保证了填充的精度。     

A GRASS GIS parallel module for radio-propagation predictions

Geographical information systems are ideal candidates for the application of parallel programming techniques, mainly because they usually handle large data sets. To help us deal with complex calculations over such data sets, we investigated the performance constraints of a classic master–worker parallel paradigm over a message-passing communication model. To this end, we present a new approach that employs an external database in order to improve the calculation–communication overlap, thus reducing the idle times for the worker processes. The presented approach is implemented as part of a parallel radio-coverage prediction tool for the Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) environment. The prediction calculation employs digital elevation models and land-usage data in order to analyze the radio coverage of a geographical area. We provide an extended analysis of the experimental results, which are based on real data from an Long Term Evolution (LTE) network currently deployed in Slovenia. Based on the results of the experiments, which were performed on a computer cluster, the new approach exhibits better scalability than the traditional master–worker approach. We successfully tackled real-world-sized data sets, while greatly reducing the processing time and saturating the hardware utilization.