Animated Maps of Aggregate Data: Conceptual and Practical Problems

Predictions of the 1960s about the computer's potential to change cartography are finally being fulfilled. Dynamic maps for vehicle navigation, interactive cartographic/statistical tools, and map animation are being investigated actively. As these new environments for mapping become available, we must reevaluate past questions about transformations from reality to data and data to map. In this paper, we consider these transformation questions in the context of statistical map animation. The issues discussed were raised in producing a “map movie” depicting the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) over time. Jenks' data model concept is used as the basis for a typology of data models representing phenomena typically depicted by enumeration unit data. The typology is then used to evaluate symbolization decisions for AIDS incidence maps. Implications for symbol selection imposed by dynamic rather than static maps are considered, as are technical issues involved in producing the animation on a microcomputer platform. A hybrid symbolization method that we have termed the “chorodot” is suggested as a way to meet the constraints on symbolization imposed by animation and to represent the appropriate data model for AIDS incidence.     

Stylistic Diversity in European State 1 : 50 000 Topographic Maps

Abstract

To what extent do European state topographic maps exhibit unique styles of cartography? This paper describes an investigation to classify and analyse stylistic diversity in the official 1 : 50 000 topographical mapping of 20 European countries. The method involves the construction of a typology of cartographic style, based upon the classification of distinct graphical legend symbols into mutually exclusive thematic categories. In order to identify stylistic similarities between national symbologies, hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to compare the relative proportions of symbols within each category. This was complemented by a qualitative analysis of various aspects of cartographic design: colour, 'white' space, visual hierarchy, and lettering. The results indicate a high degree of stylistic diversity throughout Europe, with the symbologies of Great Britain and Ireland demonstrating the strongest example of a supranational style. The typology of cartographic symbologies is shown to be an effective method for determining stylistic association among maps of differing geographical (and potentially historical) origins and it is suggested that the cartographic language paradigm should be revisited as a means for understanding why national differences persist in state cartography. A version of this paper was presented at the Twenty-third International Cartographic Conference in Moscow.     

Comparison and relative quality assessment of the GLC2000, GLOBCOVER,MODIS and ECOCLIMAP land cover data sets at the African continental scale

Land cover dynamics at the African continental scale is of great importance for global change studies. Actually, four satellite-derived land cover maps of Africa now available, e.g. ECOCLIMAP, GLC2000, MODIS and GLOBCOVER, are based on images acquired in the 2000s. This study aims at stressing the compliances and the discrepancies between these four land cover classifications systems. Each of them used different mapping initiatives and relies on different mapping standards, which supports the present investigation. In order to do a relative comparison of the four maps, a preamble was to reconcile their thematic legends into more aggregated categories after a projection into the same spatial resolution. Results show that the agreement between the four land cover products is between 56 and 69%. While all these land cover datasets show a reasonable agreement in terms of surface types and spatial distribution patterns, mapping of heterogeneous landscapes in the four products is not very successful. Land cover products based on remote sensing imagery can indeed significantly be improved by using smarter algorithms, better timing of image acquisition, improved class definitions. Either will help to improve the accuracy of future land cover maps at the African continental scale. Data producers may use the areas of spatial agreement for training area selection while users might need to verify the information in the areas of disagreement using additional data sources.     

指标驱动下以任务流为中心的在线交互制图模型

在线制图是一个复杂的交互过程,任务流是交互制图系统的一种新理念和新方法。分析不同的地图制图模型,根据统计数据和专题地图可视化的特点,提出统计指标驱动下以任务流为中心的在线地图制图模型,并给出网络地图符号XML定义描述,结合某市在线动态专题地图可视化的应用实例,研究基于该模型的统计数据Web空间可视化的各种方法和应用,表明该可视化体系和功能流程模式具有很好的推广价值。     

Online Survey of Heterogeneous Users and Their Usage of the Interactive Mapping Platform WorldMap

This article reports on the results of an online survey with 290 heterogeneous users of the interactive mapping platform WorldMap and provides insights into problems faced by such users. Heterogeneous users are users with a variety of GIS skills, educational background, gender, and age categories. We investigate how they interact with online maps and analyse their experience. WorldMap represents as a case study of an online mapping platform which aims to serve researchers and users across disciplines in viewing and creating online interactive maps. We concentrate on operations that are perceived as difficult and very difficult by the majority of users as well as operations that are rarely used. Our aim is to contribute to the discussions on how to improve the design of online GIS-based mapping platforms. We conclude the paper with reflections on the results of our study and ideas for further research.     

Design and Implementation of a Model,Web-based,GIS-Enabled Cancer Atlas

Abstract

The design and development of a highly interactive web-based, GIS-enabled atlas is reported. The atlas is a prototype, designed as a model for implementation of atlases to support government cancer-control activities. This model integrates symbolisation and design principles from print cartography, interaction strategies from exploratory geovisualisation, and web-map/web-feature service advances from GIS. The atlas has been implemented using a client-server architecture. It makes use of two open-source GIS tools, PostGIS (as the system database) and GeoServer (to connect the database to the client mapping application). The client mapping application has been built in Macromedia Flash. The entire client-server architecture is described, then direct primary emphasis is focused on the client mapping application. For this component of the system, the interface design strategy is detailed, the approach taken to implement this strategy in Flash is documented, and the mechanisms developed to build dynamic links from the client to the underlying database through the server are outlined. Features of the atlas are presented through a prototypical use scenario for a target user.     

Testing the Usability of Interactive Maps in CommonGIS

The paper reports on an experimental study aimed at assessing the usability of five different interactive tools for exploratory analysis of geographically referenced data implemented in CommonGIS. Usability was assessed in terms of tool learnability, memorability, and user satisfaction. The study provided valuable data concerning the usability of each individual tool; we also derived some conclusions relevant to geovisualization techniques in general. We found that users were, in principle, able to understand and adopt the new ideas of map interactivity and manipulability. However, these ideas needed to be appropriately introduced; people could hardly grasp them just from the appearance of the maps and controls. An introductory demonstration was sufficient to understand the purposes of the interactive tools, and a short training session enabled people to use them. The importance of educating users is a particular challenge for geovisualization tools that are intended to be accessed over the Internet.     

Planetary Map Data Model for Geologic Mapping

Geologic mapping and the design of geologic (thematic) maps are nowadays supported by Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In order to gain a high degree of efficiency and to allow exchange of a common structured framework for mapping, map data models have been designed by agencies and individuals in order to support their mapping process. Only a limited number of such models are freely available and most of them are on a conceptual level. They support mappers in their work to define spatial geologic map units by integrating field and remote-sensing information and relate them to non-spatial information, in particular genetic surface types, rock composition, age and age relationships, attitude data, and other surface characteristics. All of these attributes are interrelated and require data models that depict these complex relationships without becoming too complicated for the mapper. Solutions on the basis of database management systems and server-client communication are highly efficient but they cannot be easily employed and require dedicated administration. A well-established alternative are file-based geodatabase concepts which are much more accessible but which also suffer from a number of limitations when it comes to administration and querying data.

The scope of this work is to find an accessible solution for working on and with geologic maps for planetary surfaces. We here present a planetary map data model (PMDM) design that has been implemented within Environmental Systems Research Institute's (ESRI) ArcGIS environment for systematic geologic and geomorphologic mapping of different planetary surfaces. The model copes with different genetic surface types, planetary stratigraphic systems, surface chronologies, specific naming conventions, and different body references. Additional and innovative assets are integrated solutions for semi-automated symbol assignments based on published standards (FGDC) and the possibility to perform topology checks on surface type features and units.     

SPOT5 HRS生成DEM精度评价分析

描述了从SPOT5HRS生成DEM的不同方法,将来源于SPOT5三立体影像的不采用控制点情况下生成的DEM与高精度的参考DEM对比,对HRS生成的DEM进行精度分析评价,证明了在我国西部无图区利用SPOTHRS立体像对生成DEM的可行性。     

全球地理信息数据建设优先区分析

以全球1：25万分幅地表覆盖类别格网单元数据为基础,本文采用因素组合法对卫星影像获取难度、地形类别、云覆盖、景观破碎度等限制因素进行了分析,采用AHP法确定各限制因子权重、多因素综合指数法计算得分、自然间断点法进行优先区划分,最终将5类测绘地理信息数据（DOM、DSM、DEM、DLG、LC）建设优先区按照由易到难的次序划分为优先建设、适宜建设、困难建设区3类。研究分析能够为国家级测绘地理信息相关项目的任务划分、经费定额、工程实施等提供借鉴和参考依据。     

面向服务的在线专题制图系统

针对目前在线专题图表达存在交互性差、使用不够灵活、表达不够美观等问题。该文分析了当前在线专题制图产品存在的不足之处,并基于NewMap Server软件提出了一套集在线专题数据服务和在线专题制图API为一体的解决方案,在此基础上研发了面向服务的在线专题制图系统。利用NewMap地名地址匹配技术实现专题数据与地名数据的快速准确匹配并且制定统一的服务标准与客户端交互。客户端采用自主的图形算法实现专题数据的可视化表达。最后对专题图系统进行了详细的设计,并对设计的7种统计专题图进行实例验证。实践表明,该专题图系统有交互性强、制图速度快等优点,具有很好应用前景。     

Spatio-temporal analysis of industrial composition with IVIID: an interactive visual analytics interface for industrial diversity

The industrial composition of places has received considerable attention because of the widespread belief that industrial diversity buffers regional economies from economic shocks. Subsequently, a variety of toolkits and indices have been developed with the goal of better capturing the compositional dynamics of regions. Although useful, a key drawback of these indices is their static nature, which limits the utility of these indices in a space–time context. This paper provides an overview of and applications of an interface called interactive visualization tool for indices of industrial diversity, which is a visual analytics tool developed specifically for the analysis and visualization of local measures of industrial composition for areal data. This overview will include a discussion of its key features, as well as a demonstration of the utility of the interface in exploring questions surrounding diversity and the dynamic nature of composition through space and time. A focus of this demonstration is to highlight how the interactivity and query functionality of this interface overcome several of the obstacles to understanding composition through space and time that prior toolkits and comparative static approaches have been unable to address.     

基于EPS实现出图入库一体化的关键技术研究

随着我国地理信息建库与数字化成图建设的快速发展,出图入库一体化生产是目前测绘行业的迫切需求。EPS地理信息工作站为用户提供了完全开放的模板以及VBS二次开发接口,本文以合肥宅基地土地确权项目为例,详细叙述了依据该项目生产标准的模板定制过程,并编写脚本实现了出图入库数据的一体化输出。     

MAPPING GLOBAL PROBLEMS OF TODAY: THE FOOD PROBLEM

An approach to the mapping of food supply and distribution problems over the world is outlined and, more specifically, a program for the mapping of geographic types of diet in tropical nations, using Africa as a test case. Among the new types of cartographic products are maps and “typograms” showing the distribution, quality, and structure of standard diets (“food types”) based on various combinations of food products derived from crop agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting and gathering, and fishing in diverse natural and cultural environments. Sources of information and design considerations for the various elements of map content are elaborated. Translated by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005 from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1989, No. 4, pp. 98–107.     

遥感影像人机交互判读系统及其技术特点

在Windows NT支持下，采用C＋＋和面向对象方法设计，自主开发的一个微机遥感影象人机交互判读系统。它在实现人工目视判读与数字影像处理、遥感和地理信息系统、高新技术与传统地学知识结合，协调遥感数据容量大与微机空间资源有限、快速作业要求与工业内容繁琐复杂，严格有序的计算机作业和判读人员作用自由发挥之间的矛盾方面，采取了一系列颇具新意的技术措施，形成了系统独具的一些技术特点，为广大判读人员提供了一个灵活、方便、高效地进行遥感影像人机交互判读工具。     

移动激光雷达的瞬时三维构像方法

介绍了基于机器视觉的数字摄影测量智能化新方法：移动激光雷达瞬时三维构像方法。该方法作为移动激光雷达瞬时三维构像理论,解决了无GPS辅助的移动激光雷达自定位与瞬时构像问题,使移动激光雷达灵活应用在室内、室外等多种环境。首先,分析了瞬时构像方法与传统构像方法的不同,以及现有方法的可移植性;接着,给出了视准轴误差自定标方法、基于平整度的有效特征提取算法和快速优化平差算法,构建出移动激光雷达自定位与瞬时构像的核心技术框架;最后,通过3种不同环境构像试验验证本文方法的有效性和适应性。研究表明,该方法可应用在结构化环境与非结构化环境、室内与室外环境,可水平构像也可垂直构像,且无需后数据处理瞬时构像。     

Towards a framework for learning with GIS: The case of Urban World, a hypermap learning environment based on GIS

Off-the-shelf GIS toolboxes are inadequate for pedagogic purposes. Urban World , an Arc View application, attempts to address this shortcoming by including special features designed to foster student progress towards a better understanding of urban environments. This paper provides context for the Urban World system in an active, authentic learning environment for students of urban geography and planning at junior and senior levels in undergraduate curricula at universities in the United States. The paper describes the rationale for, and implementation of, several components of Urban World : a special graphid user interface; productivity tools for facilitating the acquisition of practical skills of mapping and spatial analysis; tools for accessing, undertaking, and submitting homework assignments in a paper-less class; and various devices for assisting students to undertake spatial reasoning. GIS are Seen as an enabling technology for improving understanding by means of engaging students in empirical analysis. Spatial problem solvers and decision makers reach sound conclusions by employing reasoning skills applied to well-formed databases; scientific research makcs progress with sound reasoning of many types. The effective teaching and learning about the geography of our world requires a strong foundation of spatid reasoning.     

面向地理信息大数据的时空事件关系可视化分析框架

不同类型的地理信息大数据蕴含了丰富的时空关系,反映个体或者群体时空事件之间的变化模式,在资源、环境、交通等领域的智慧应用中起到关键性作用。然而,地理信息大数据拥有的多尺度和多语义特性,在挖掘地理信息大数据的时空关系时会存在许多困难。如何有效地构建多尺度多语义时空关系,并直观地表达这些时空关系是一个重大挑战。本文设计了一种时空事件关系可视化分析框架,通过定义事件间时空关系的描述,设计了一种多视图协同的可视化分析方法,结合时空关系的可视化协同交互,实现地理信息大数据时空事件可视分析。基于时空轨迹数据,通过试验说明该方法可以探寻时空事件及背景间的时空关系,实现时空事件的交互可视分析。     

地理信息系统集成平台框架结构研究

提出了基于客户／服务器结构的地理信息系统集成平台总体结构,探讨了基于元数据的地理信息系统数据集成平台以建立物理上分布而逻辑上集中的分布式地理信息系统数据库,提出了应用符合３ＮＦ范式的关系数据库进行模型管理的模式,在此基础上探讨了地理信息系统可视化建模工具。