Researcher Challenges:Create Maps for the 21st Century

Werner Kuhn

Institute for Geoinformatics

University of Muenster

Maps for Users

GIS Specialists

Today

Models for Users

Tomorrow

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 4

Thesis

Today’s GI and GIS models misbehave

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 5

What does this mean? (1)

• Interaction models imitate behaviour of paper mapsoverlay, buffering

• Data models map storage behaviour to applicationsvector, raster

• Behaviour of geometry models is too primitive crisp boundaries, simple graphs, single geometries, no process models

• Behaviour of features is implemented in word processors feature catalogues are on bookshelves rather than in systems

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 6

What does this mean? (2)

• Application models are not interoperable with GISanalysis and visualisation occurs outside GIS

• Data transfer models contain no behaviour at allexchange formats strip operations away from data

• Economic models reflect behaviour of producers rather than users

cost-based rather than value-based pricing

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 7

The General Challenge

Produce models for GI and GIS based on behaviour-preserving maps

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 9

Structure-preserving maps (morphisms)

modelling modelling

Operations in the model

Changes in the world

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 10

Characteristics of such maps

• They preserve structure (= behaviour)• can be optimised for human and machine resources • can be combined to achieve complex from simple maps• can be formalised as functions (morphisms)• can be prototyped in functional languages.

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 11

Examples from 4 domains

1. Interaction

2. Ontologies

3. Distributed data models

4. Semantic interoperability

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 12

1. Exploit human experience with space for interaction with GIS

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 13

Example: Intuitive zoom and pan

Today’s situation: 10% of the time in routine tasks (e.g., digitizing) is spent in unnecessary and disorienting manipulations for zoom and pan operations

Challenge: Map structure of visual experience to human-computer interaction

visual experience interaction

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 14

2. Design ontologies to support workflows

Wasserstrassen-GIS: Anforderungen an ein Brückeninformationssystem von der WSD Süd

Erstellung eines Berichts über die Möglichkeit von Sondertransporten:

Untersuchung der Möglichkeiten von Sondertransporten (z.B. Überführung von Chemiereaktoren von Linz nach

Rotterdam, Gesamthöhe: bis 9,2 m). Dabei müssen alle niedrigen Brücken unter Berücksichtigung der an der Brücke

vorhandenen maximalen Abladetiefe und gewässerkundlichen Einflüsse (Überstau, Sohlbeschaffenheit ...) untersucht

werden. Eine graphische Aufrissdarstellung von Querprofilen und Lichtraumprofilen sowie eine Grundrissdarstellung von

Tiefenlinien bzw. Flächenpeilungen (jeweils mit Maßstabsangabe und zoomfähig) ist erforderlich.

Gesucht werden müssen alle Brücken an der gewählten Strecke, die eine gewisse Höhe unterschreiten. Die Abladetiefe

wird ermittelt, indem Tiefenlinien (wenn vorhanden), Querprofile oder Flächenpeilungen in der Umgebung der Brücke

ausgewertet werden. Weiter sind aktuelle Wasserstände der nächstgelegenen Pegel anzuzeigen bzw. auszuwerten. Die

Brücken sollten anschließend klassifiziert werden: keine Gefahr, Untersuchung erforderlich, keine Durchfahrt möglich.

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 15

Example: Feature Catalogues

Today’s situation: Feature catalogues are often derived from existing data collections. This fails to support user needs and causes unnecessary update costs.

Challenge: Map structure of work flows to ontologies

User decisions Ontologies

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 16

3. Manage complex data models in distributed systems

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 17

Example: Hierarchies

Today’s situation: Complex conceptual data models get mapped to simple object-relational databases in application software.

Challenge: Map common structure of applications through middleware

Hierarchies ORDB+mediator

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 18

4. Achieve Semantic Interoperability

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 19

Example: Semantics of road data

Today’s situation: Navigation data like GDF and NMA data lead to conflicting interpretations of where one can drive.

Challenge: Map polymorphic driving behaviour to mobile services.

Polymorphism Interoperable Services

30 June 1999 EC-GIS Workshop Stresa 20

Conclusions

• Today’s GI and GIS models lack behaviour• This makes them hard to use• The general research challenge:

Define and prototype structure-preserving maps

• Some instances:– interaction models (metaphors)

– ontologies and data models

– service models

• Consequences for modelling procedure.