2300554
An abstract model of three-dimensional spatial data types
Although spatial objects of our world have an intrinsic three-dimensional (3D) nature, <i>3D data modeling</i> and <i>3D data management</i> have so far been neglected in spatial database systems and Geographical Information Systems, which map geometric data mainly to two-dimensional abstractions. But increasingly the third dimension becomes more and more relevant for application domains like pollution control, water supply, soil engineering, urban planning, and aviation. Large volumes of 3D data require a treatment in a database context for representing, querying, and manipulating them efficiently. This paper aims at investigating the complex inherent features of 3D data and presents an abstract, formal data model called <i>SPAL3D</i> <i>Spatial Algebra 3D</i>). The data model comprises a set of <i>three-dimensional spatial data types</i> together with a collection of geometric set operations.
16884861
Design and implementation of finite resolution crisp and fuzzy spatial objects
Uncertainty management for geometric data is currently an important problem in spatial databases, image databases, and geographic information systems. Spatial entities do not always have homogeneous interiors and sharply defined boundaries but frequently their interiors and boundaries are partially or totally indeterminate and vague. For an important kind of spatial vagueness called spatial fuzziness this paper provides a conceptual and an implementation model of fuzzy spatial objects that also incorporates fuzzy geometric union, intersection, and difference operations as well as fuzzy topological predicates. In particular, this model is not based on Euclidean space and not on an infinite-precision arithmetic which lead to lacking numerical robustness and to topological inconsistency of implementations on a computer; it rests on a finite, discrete geometric domain called grid partition which takes into account finite-precision number systems available in computers. Last but not least, this paper is a contribution to achieve a uniform treatment of vector and raster data.
12411101
Topological Relationships Between Complex Lines and Complex Regions
Topological relationships between spatial objects in the two-dimensional space have been investigated for a long time in a number of disciplines like artificial intelligence, cognitive science, linguistics, and robotics. In the context of spatial databases and geographical information systems, as predicates they especially support the design of suitable query languages for spatial data retrieval and analysis. But so far, they have only been defined for simplified abstractions of spatial objects like continuous lines and simple regions. With the introduction of complex spatial data types in spatial data models and extensions of commercial database systems, an issue arises regarding the design, definition, and number of topological relationships operating on these complex types. This paper first introduces a formally defined, conceptual model of general and versatile spatial data types for complex lines and complex regions. Based on the well known 9-intersection model, it then formally determines the complete set of mutually exclusive topological relationships between complex lines and complex regions. Completeness and mutual exclusion are shown by a proof technique called proof-by-constraint-and-drawing.
4468582
Genomics Algebra: A New, Integrating Data Model, Language, and Tool for Processing and Querying Genomic Information
The dramatic increase of mostly semi-structured genomic data, their heterogeneity and high variety, and the increasing complexity of biological applications and methods mean that many and very important challenges in biology are now challenges in computing and here especially in databases. In contrast to the many query-driven approaches advocated in the literature, we propose a new integrating approach that is based on two fundamental pillars. The Genomics Algebra provides an extensible set of high-level genomic data types ( GDTs) (e.g., genome, gene, chromosome, protein, nucleotide) together with a comprehensive collection of appropriate genomic functions (e.g., translate, transcribe, decode). The Unifying Database allows us to manage the semi-structured contents of publicly available genomic repositories and to transfer these data into GDT values. These values then serve as arguments of Genomics Algebra operations, which can be embedded into a DBMS query language.
12688384
Query-By-Trace: Visual Predicate Specification in Spatio-Temporal Databases
In this paper we propose a visual interface for the specification of predicates to be used in queries on spatio-temporal databases. The approach is based on a visual specification method for temporally changing spatial situations. This extends existing concepts for visual spatial query languages, which are only capable of querying static spatial situations. We outline a preliminary user interface that supports the specification on an intuitive and easily manageable level, and we describe the design of the underlying visual language. The visual notation can be used directly as a visual query interface to spatio-temporal databases, or it can provide predicate specifications that can be integrated into textual query languages leading to heterogeneous languages.
420948
Developments in spatio-temporal query languages
Integrating spatio-temporal data as abstract data types into already existing data models is a promising approach to creating spatio-temporal query languages. In this context, an important new class of queries can be identified which is concerned with developments of spatial objects over time, that is, queries ask especially for changes in spatial relationships. Based on a definition of the notion of spatio-temporal predicate we provide a framework which allows to build more and more complex predicates starting with a small set of elementary ones. These predicates can be well used to characterize developments. We show how these concepts can be realized within the relational data model. In particular, we demonstrate how SQL can be extended to enable the querying of developments.
14244499
Recomindation: New Functions for Augmented Memories
Advances in technological support for augmented personal memories make possible new ways of enhancing the process of product recommendation. Instead of simply analyzing information about a user’s past behavior in order to generate recommendations, a recominder system can additionally supply various types of information from the user’s augmented memory that allows the user to take a more active role in the search for suitable products. We illustrate the paradigm of recomindation with reference to a prototype implementation of the system Specter in a CD shopping scenario and the results of a study with 20 subjects, who found most of the recomindation functionality to constitute a useful enhancement of their shopping experience.
41544599
RDF: Stores - A Lightweight Approach on Managing Shared Knowledge
One of the central ideas of ubiquitous computing research is to create smart real-world artifacts and environments that can spontaneously cooperate in order to enable novel applications that no single device could provide. A critical factor in such applications is the availability of relevant context knowledge, which may be provided by a variety of different sensors, domain models, and applications. Locating, accessing, and preserving such knowledge is not a trivial task, especially in dynamic environments where new knowledge sources and applications may unexpectedly appear while existing ones may vanish. In this paper we present a pragmatic yet powerful approach to manage shared knowledge by introducing a novel concept called RDF:Stores. We will present the general properties of RDF:Stores and describe how they can be implemented using off-the-shelf software components.
14013704
Ambient Intelligence in Edutainment: Tangible Interaction with Life-Like Exhibit Guides
We present COHIBIT, an edutainment exhibit for theme parks in an ambient intelligence environment. It combines ultimate robustness and simplicity with creativity and fun. The visitors can use instrumented 3D puzzle pieces to assemble a car. The key idea of our edutainment framework is that all actions of a visitor are tracked and commented by two life-like guides. Visitors get the feeling that the anthropomorphic characters observe, follow and understand their actions and provide guidance and motivation for them. Our mixed-reality installation provides a tangible, (via the graspable car pieces), multimodal, (via the coordinated speech, gestures and body language of the virtual character team) and immersive (via the large-size projection of the life-like characters) experience for a single visitor or a group of visitors. The paper describes the context-aware behavior of the virtual guides, the domain modeling and context classification as well as the event recognition in the instrumented environment.