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An Iconic Query Language for Topological Relationships in GIS.
Abstract
The study of query languages for spatial databases is an active research area. This paper describes a new spatial query language that uses a visual grammar to express topological relationships. It is supplemented by text and icons to handle other spatial and non-spatial queries. A graphical user interface is also developed to provide an interactive environment for composing the iconic query command. To test the language, the interface is implemented on a SUN 4 Workstation and linked to Ingres, a relational DBMS. Preliminary tests show that the iconic query language is more convenient for expressing spatial concepts than conventional textual languages. This is due mainly to the two-dimensionality of iconic languages in contrast with the linear nature of conventional languages.
... A related approach that also uses spatial relations [Del Bimbo et al., 1994] deals with symbolic descriptions and retrieval in image databases. In the following we shortly review four approaches [Meyer, 1994;Calcinelli and Mainguenaud, 1994;Lee and Chin, 1995;Egenhofer, 1996] that come closest to the ideas and concepts behind VISCO. We especially focus our attention on the spatial properties of their query languages. ...
... An iconic query language for GIS is presented in [Lee and Chin, 1995]. Icons represent geographic objects such as lakes, rivers, countries, etc. ...
... Another approach deals with pictorial query specifications for spatially referenced image databases [Soffer and Samet, 1998]. We refer to Section 4.3 for a review of the four approaches (see [Meyer, 1994;Calcinelli and Mainguenaud, 1994;Lee and Chin, 1995;Egenhofer, 1997]) which come closest to the ideas and concepts behind VISCO and to Section 3.6 for a review of other approaches related to VL theory. [Meyer, 1994] also gives formal semantics for visual spatial queries using a mapping to the Datalog language, but there exists no formalization of topological relations or conceptual knowledge. ...
... To resolve this ambiguity, the visual spatial query language proposed in Lee and Chin (1995) uses the foreground/background metaphor. Find all the regions, which are passed through by a river and partially overlap a forest ...
... In some visual spatial languages, including that of Lee et al. (1995), adopt a strategy of ambiguity prevention through a procedural method. Lee et al.'s language enables removal of unwanted relationships among drawn symbolic graphical objects or the imposition of an a priori restrictive interpretation using the foreground/background metaphor. ...
This chapter introduces and discusses the classification of methods to resolve ambiguities that arise during the communication process using visual languages. Ambiguities arise when the user gives his or her own semantics to the information. Sometimes his or her actions do not represent his or her intentions, producing an ambiguous or incorrect interpretation by the system. This chapter deals with ambiguities related to the system's interpretation function and methods to resolve them, which can be grouped in three main classes: prevention, a-posteriori resolution, and approximation resolution methods of ambiguities. This chapter distinguishes among different prevention methods: the procedural method, the reduction, and the improvement of the expressive power of the visual languages. The most used method for the a-posteriori resolution of ambiguities is mediation, which consists of repetition and choice. Finally, approximation resolution methods are presented to resolve ambiguities caused by imprecision of the user's interaction.
... When trying to add user-friendliness to GIS, the association of visual descriptions to such features seems to be quite a natural step. As a matter of fact, many systems have been primarily targeted at querying visually the spatial features of GIS data (see also [7,8]). ...
... In 1995, Lee and Chin [7] proposed an iconic language where icons are used to represent objects and processes. Queries are expressed by building up iconic sentences using a graphical interface. ...
The main goal of this work is to provide an advanced visual environment where users that are not skilled for what concerns the computer science domain may compose queries related to those geographical phenomena for which the third dimension is a relevant feature. Visual queries are composed in a 3D environment accessible from the web where the users manipulate geographical objects, called 3D geometaphors. The geometaphors represent the operands of an underlying algebra characterized by a set of topological, directional and metrical operators; such operators are expressed in the query environment in terms of visual relationships between the geographical objects. The introduction of the third dimension for querying the geographical databases has challenged the authors with a number of important issues related to the area of visualization, navigation and object manipulation. According to the principles of usability engineering, the authors have built different prototypes based on a client-server architecture that have been iteratively evaluated by experts and final users in order to discover drawbacks and to improve the quality of the proposal. The result is a coordinated user-friendly 3D visual metaphor for querying GIS on the web, where all the elements needed for composing a query have a visual, easy to understand, counterpart.
... When trying to add user-friendliness to GIS, the association of visual descriptions to such features seems to be quite a natural step. As a matter of fact, many systems have been primarily targeted at querying visually the spatial features of GIS data (see also [22, 39]). The goal of the research that we have been carrying out in the last years has been to provide users with further intuition about the data processed, by means of a visual query language, which describes also the semantics of those data in the real world. ...
... Iconic, diagrammatic, graph-based and multimodal approaches are available. Some approaches related to the spatial domain have considered also sketch based interfaces for composing the query [9, 22]. Lee and Chin [22] have proposed an iconic language where icons are used to represent objects and processes. Queries are expressed by building up iconic sentences using a graphical interface. ...
The main goal of this work is to provide an advanced visual envi- ronment where users that are not skilled for what concerns the computer sci- ence domain may compose queries related to those geographical phenomena for which the third dimension is a relevant feature. Visual queries are composed in a D environment accessible from the web where the users manipulate 3D geographic objects, called 3D geometaphors. The geometaphors represent the operands of an underlying algebra characterized by a set of topological, direc- tional and metrical operators; such operators are expressed in the query envi- ronment in terms of visual relations between the geographic objects. The intro- duction of the third dimension for querying the geographic databases has chal- lenged the authors with a number of important issues related to the area of visualization, navigation and object manipulation. According to the principles of usability engineering, the authors have built different prototypes based on a client-server architecture that have been iteratively evaluated by experts and fi- nal users in order to discover drawbacks and to improve the quality of the pro- posal. The result is a coordinated user-friendly 3D visual metaphor for querying GIS on the web, where all the elements needed for composing a query have a visual, easy to understand, counterpart.
... A great deal of work has already been carried out for designing such languages for traditional and object-oriented databases: iconic, diagrammatic, graph-based and multi-modal approaches are available in literature. In the spatial domain some of these approaches have been coupled with sketch based interfaces [1] [3]. Most of the work done takes advantage of 2D visual iconic queries. ...
... A great deal of work has already been carried out for designing such languages for traditional and object-oriented databases: iconic, diagrammatic, graph-based and multi-modal approaches are available in literature. In the spatial domain some of these approaches have been coupled with sketch based interfaces [1, 3]. Most of the work done takes advantage of 2D visual iconic queries. ...
In this paper we present a survey conducted in order to understand how simple 3D objects, named geometa- phors, can be composed for building a model that permits to represent topological relationships in a 3D space. The research was conducted on twenty participants who were familiar with geographical information systems (GIS) and the notion of topological relationship. The subjects participating to the survey were asked to put in relation textual labels related to topological rela- tionships with visual compositions of geometaphors pairs. The result is an interpretation model of the visual compositions that represents an important component for the building of visual query environments compliant with the users' mental model, contributing therefore to aug- ment significantly the usability of such systems.
... In the area of visual languages, several graphical environments have been proposed aimed at assisting unskilled users to query geographic databases [1,2,6,11,15,17]. Some of them have been primarily targeted at querying spatial features of GIS data, based on the definition of graphical representations for the spatial properties of the geographic data and the spatial operators [2,3,5,6]. ...
... Some of them have been primarily targeted at querying spatial features of GIS data, based on the definition of graphical representations for the spatial properties of the geographic data and the spatial operators [2,3,5,6]. Others are meant to provide users with further intuition about the data processed, by means of visual languages that capture the semantics of those data in the real world [1,11,15,16,17] . ...
In the present paper we introduce a visual query language, Phenomena, able to manage continuous fields, which represent real-world events. In GIS applications, continuous fields represent phenomena related to the environment and its resources. Recently, much attention has been devoted to the field view of geographic phenomena, where the geographic world can be described by a number of variables, each measurable at any point. While objects are distinguished by their dimensions, and can be associated with points, lines, or areas, fields can be distinguished by what varies, and how smoothly. Thus, when dealing with continuous fields, a basic requirement is represented by users' capability to capture some features of a scenario, by selecting an area of interest and handling the heterogeneous events involved. Phenomena makes this task easy to implement, thanks to a quite intuitive visual representation of both continuous fields and conditions, which involve them. A peculiar feature of the visual language is the use of geometries to select portions of continuous fields, on the basis of spatial conditions. The heterogeneous nature of fields and objects is also reflected in the visualization of query results.
... Miao et al. (2010) proposed rapid query technology for the coverage of multi-source remote sensing data in response to the problem of the independence of satellite data-query systems; however, preliminary retrieval of data-query conditions was used without further retrieval of the minimum number of images needed to cover the entire study area. Egenhofer (1996) studied the retrieval method of sketching spatial data, Lee and Chin (1995) proposed a visual query based on topological relations in GIS, Bretschneider, Cavet, and Kao (2002) proposed a retrieval and query technology based on image spectral information, and Chaudhuri et al. (2016) performed a matching strategy for regional retrieval of remote sensing images. Note that these studies did not consider the issue of remote sensing data retrieval for regional coverage. ...
With the rapid development of satellite technology, the amount of remote sensing data and demand for remote sensing data analysis over large areas are greatly increasing. Hence, it is necessary to quickly filter out an optimal dataset from massive dataset to support various remote sensing applications. However, with the improvements in temporal and spatial resolution, remote sensing data have become fragmented, which brings challenges to data retrieval. At present, most data service platforms rely on the query engines to retrieve data. Retrieval results still have a large amount of data with a high degree of overlap, which must be manually selected for further processing. This process is very labour-intensive and time-consuming. This paper proposes an improved coverage-oriented retrieval algorithm that aims to retrieve an optimal image combination with the minimum number of images closest to the imaging time of interest while maximized covering the target area. The retrieval efficiency of this algorithm was analysed by applying different implementation practices: Arcpy, PyQGIS, and GeoPandas. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the algorithm and suggest that the GeoPandas-based approach is most advantageous when processing large-area data.
... There is still no solution for meeting these key issues of full coverage and the satisfaction of demands. Egenhofer studied the sketch spatial data retrieval method [15]; Lee proposed a visual query based on topological relationships in GIS [16]; and Shekhar, Volker, Gaede, and others studied information retrieval related to spatial information [17,18]. ...
Remote sensing is the main technical means for urban researchers and planners to effectively observe targeted urban areas. Generally, it is difficult for only one image to cover a whole urban area and one image cannot support the demands of urban planning tasks for spatial statistical analysis of a whole city. Therefore, people often artificially find multiple images with complementary regions in an urban area on the premise of meeting the basic requirements for resolution, cloudiness, and timeliness. However, with the rapid increase of remote sensing satellites and data in recent years, time-consuming and low performance manual filter results have become more and more unacceptable. Therefore, the issue of efficiently and automatically selecting an optimal image collection from massive image data to meet individual demands of whole urban observation has become an urgent problem. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a large-area full-coverage remote sensing image collection filtering algorithm for individual demands (LFCF-ID). This algorithm achieves a new image filtering mode and solves the difficult problem of selecting a full-coverage remote sensing image collection from a vast amount of data. Additionally, this is the first study to achieve full-coverage image filtering that considers user preferences concerning spatial resolution, timeliness, and cloud percentage. The algorithm first quantitatively models demand indicators, such as cloudiness, timeliness, resolution, and coverage, and then coarsely filters the image collection according to the ranking of model scores to meet the different needs of different users for images. Then, relying on map gridding, the image collection is genetically optimized for individuals using a genetic algorithm (GA), which can quickly remove redundant images from the image collection to produce the final filtering result according to the fitness score. The proposed method is compared with manual filtering and greedy retrieval to verify its computing speed and filtering effect. The experiments show that the proposed method has great speed advantages over traditional methods and exceeds the results of manual filtering in terms of filtering effect.
... Techniques based on visual languages, like Cigales [6], Sketch or Iconic [19,20], provide a set of icons with which the user composes queries. The main drawbacks come from the complexity of the user interface, the need for standards and the expression of negation clauses. ...
... In the spatial domain these approaches have also been proposed along with sketch based interfaces. Lee and Chin [33] proposed an iconic language where icons are used to represent objects and processes. Queries are expressed by building up iconic sentences in the interface. ...
In this paper a visual approach to querying in spatial databases is presented. A filter flow methodology is used to consistently express different types of queries in these systems. Filters are used to represent operations on the database and pictorial icons are used throughout the language for filters, operators and spatial relations. Different granularities of the relations are presented in a hierarchical fashion for spatial constraints. The language framework and functions are described and examples are used to demonstrate its capabilities in representing different levels of queries, including spatial joins and composite spatial joins. Here, the primary focus is on the query language itself but an overview of the implemented interface of the language is also provided.
... G. Vitiello is with the Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica at the University of Salerno, Italy (gvitiello@unisa.it) fact, many systems have been primarily targeted at visually querying spatial features of GIS data (see also [12] [19]). ...
The main goal of the present work has been to provide an advanced visual environment, where users may pose 3D queries about those phenomena for which the third dimension is a relevant feature for data retrieval. In WebMGISQL the interaction between users and the environment is performed by manipulating 3D geographic objects, called geometaphors. The underlying algebra for spatial operators allows us to express spatial relations in the 3D space. Visual queries can then be composed in a 3D environment, called the Sensible Board, characterized by the 3D geometaphors. The introduction of the third dimension in the underlying algebra for querying the geographic databases has challenged the authors with a number of important issues related to the area of visualization, navigation and object manipulation. As a result, a user-friendly 3D visual metaphor for querying GIS characterizes the proposed environment. A prototype of the system has been experimented, based on a client-server architecture.
... In general, geographic queries can be better expressed by using graphical metaphors in query languages which are powerful to express the user's mental model of the query [34]. In the field of spatial databases many authors studied the way to formulate queries using graphical configurations, for instance [2] [21] [35] [40]. In particular, in [21] and [22] the authors proposed a pictorial query language, called Geographical Pictorial Query Language (GeoPQL) to address the user's mental model of the query. ...
This work addresses the problem of relaxing spatial constraints for pictorial queries having null answers in geographical databases. It focuses on the polygon-polyline topological relationship and proposes a computational model which is based on the notions of Operator Conceptual Neighborhood (OCN) graph and the relative 16-intersection matrix. The former is addressed to represent the conceptual topological neighborhood between pairs of Symbolic Graphical Objects and indicates how spatial constraints can be relaxed. The nodes of the OCN graph are labeled with geo-operators that have been formalized and their semantics has been enriched in order to capture user query details. The latter is a 16-intersection matrix which provides additional information about the query with respect to the well-known 9-intersection matrix proposed in the literature. It has been conceived to identify, among the approximate answers, the one closer to the user needs. In particular, it allows us to quantify the difference among the user query and the configurations corresponding to the proposed approximate answers on the basis of the OCN graph. The main characteristics of our approach are highlighted through some query examples.
... G. Vitiello is with the Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica at the University of Salerno, Italy (gvitiello@unisa.it) fact, many systems have been primarily targeted at visually querying spatial features of GIS data (see also [12] [19]). ...
The main goal of the present work has been to provide an advanced visual environment, where users may pose 3D queries about those phenomena for which the third dimension is a relevant feature for data retrieval. In WebMGISQL the interaction between users and the environment is performed by manipulating 3D geographic objects, called geometaphors. The underlying algebra for spatial operators allows us to express spatial relations in the 3D space. Visual queries can then be composed in a 3D environment, called the Sensible Board, characterized by the 3D geometaphors. The introduction of the third dimension in the underlying algebra for querying the geographic databases has challenged the authors with a number of important issues related to the area of visualization, navigation and object manipulation. As a result, a user-friendly 3D visual metaphor for querying GIS characterizes the proposed environment. A prototype of the system has been experimented, based on a client-server architecture. Index Terms— Advanced visual interfaces, geographic information systems, visual environment, visual query languages.
... Iconic, diagrammatic, graph-based and multimodal approaches are noted. In the spatial domain Lee and Chin [7] proposed an iconic language, where icons are used to represent objects and processes. A query is expressed by building an iconic diagram of a spatial configuration. ...
In this paper a visual approach to querying in large spa- tial databases is presented. A diagrammatic technique util- ising a data flow metaphor is used to express different kinds of spatial and non-spatial constraints. Basic filters are de- signed to represent the various types of queries in such sys- tems. Icons for different types of spatial relations are used to denote the filters. Different granularities of the relations are presented in a hierarchical fashion when selecting the spatial constraints. The language constructs are presented and examples are used to demonstrate the expressiveness of the approach in representing different kinds of queries, including spatial joins and composite spatial queries.
... Research aiming at introducing visual counterparts for spatial queries has tried to solve such drawbacks, leading to a variety of proposals that include iconic [8], graph-based [9] and sketch-based [10] [11] [12] [13] approaches. ...
The association of data of different nature to geographical locations is becoming increasingly popular in a growing number of domains, including urban management, economics and social studies.
... Techniques based on visual languages, like Cigales [6], Sketch or Iconic [19,20], provide a set of icons with which the user composes queries. The main drawbacks come from the complexity of the user interface, the need for standards and the expression of negation clauses. ...
Many approaches have been used for querying spatial databases, but they rarely distinguish between expert users and "naive" ones. Two main approaches can be considered as interesting ways of querying and interacting with spatial and multimedia data, extended query languages on the one hand, and hypermedia techniques on the other hand. In this paper, we propose a framework for a navigational user interface model that will use both hypermedia and query language approaches. Navigation methods will use two types of links, explicit hypermedia links on the one hand, implicit and dynamic ones on the other hand which are based on spatial relationships between entities. We also propose different kinds of navigation strategies that will be usable and hopefully accepted by general public-like users.
... qbs allows for annotating drawn objects with textual tags to facilitate the search-e.g. object categories like a forest or a lake-but does not require the user to specify in advance the relationships he is going to draw, as requested in similar approaches (Calcinelli & Mainguenaud, 1994;Lee & Chin, 1995). Egenhofer's approach is based on a user-system interaction schema according to which the sketch is continuously parsed and, in case of an ambiguity in the interpretation, a message is displayed to prompt the user to resolve it. ...
For a long time survey, management, and provision of geographic information in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have mainly had an authoritative nature. Today the trend is changing and such an authoritative geographic information source is now accompanied by a public and freely available one which is usually referred to as Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). Actually, the term VGI does not refer only to the mere geographic information, but, more generally, to the whole process which assumes the engagement of volunteers to collect and maintain such information in freely accessible GIS. The quick spread of VGI gives new relevance to a well-known challenge: developing new methods and techniques to ease down the interaction between users and GIS. Indeed, in spite of continuous improvements, GIS mainly provide interfaces tailored for experts, denying the casual user usually a non-expert the possibility to access VGI information. One main obstacle resides in the different ways GIS and humans deal with spatial information: GIS mainly encode spatial information in a quantitative format, whereas human beings typically prefer a qualitative and relational approach. For example, we use expressions like the lake is to the right-hand side of the wood or is there a supermarket close to the university? which qualitatively locate a spatial entity with respect to another. Nowadays, such a gap in representation has to be plugged by the user, who has to learn about the system structure and to encode his requests in a form suitable to the system. Contrarily, enabling gis to explicitly deal with qualitative spatial information allows for shifting the translation effort to the system side. Thus, to facilitate the interaction with human beings, GIS have to be enhanced with tools for efficiently handling qualitative spatial information. The work presented in this thesis addresses the problem of enabling Qualitative Spatial Configuration Queries (QSCQs) in GIS. A QSCQ is a spatial database query which allows for an automatic mapping of spatial descriptions produced by humans: A user naturally expresses his request of spatial information by drawing a sketch map or producing a verbal description. The qualitative information conveyed by such descriptions is automatically extracted and encoded into a QSCQ. The focus of this work is on two main challenges: First, the development of a framework that allows for managing in a spatial database the variety of spatial aspects that might be enclosed in a spatial description produced by a human. Second, the conception of Qualitative Spatial Access Methods (QSAMs): algorithms and data structures tailored for efficiently solving QSCQs. The main objective of a QSAM is that of countering the exponential explosion in terms of storage space occurring when switching from a quantitative to a qualitative spatial representation while keeping query response time acceptable.
... A querying capability will be built into the interface, where the query is built up from active objects or icons such as those on the pitch plan inFigure 3. Spatiotemporal querying has historically been in the form of non-intuitive interrogation of databases with mismatched languages such as SQL (Egenhofer, 1992). Latterly, icon-based querying (e.g. Lee and Chin, 1995) and sketch-based querying has emerged. In the latter, the user sketches a map and the software retrieves the most similar cases from the database. ...
The use of computer software as an aid to rugby, and sports coaching in general, is well established. Videoed sport is the most widely used form of raw data for sports analysis, though it is currently not being used to its full potential. Patterns of player movement and position, both for individuals and groupings of players, are important for understanding the complexities of professional team sports, and yet are not being adequately addressed. This paper outlines a project that aims to support coaching and/or commentary by measuring the similarity of video-derived spatio-temporal information, and enabling timely access to relevant video clips. Specifically, methods by which a user of spatio-temporal sports software can pose a query will be discussed. Two issues are examined: user interface form and how it enables efficient query construction; and powerful spatio-temporal representation techniques for rugby constructs (such as the pitch, players and amalgamations of players: team, scrum, line out, back line).
... When trying to add userfriendliness to GIS, the association of visual descriptions to such features seems to be quite a natural step. As a matter of fact, many systems have been primarily targeted at visually querying spatial features of GIS data (see also [8] [14]). The goal of our research has been to provide users with further intuition about the data processed, by means of a visual query language, which also describes the semantics of those data in the real world. ...
The aim of our research is to provide GIS users with a visual environment where they can formulate spatial queries which implicitly capture the double nature of geographical data. In particular, in this paper we propose an extension to the MGISQL visual environment, where users may pose 3D queries about those phenomena where the third dimension is a relevant feature for data retrieving. The interaction between users and the visual environment is performed by manipulating 3D geometaphors. The underlying algebra for spatial operators is enriched accordingly. Visual queries are composed in a 3D environment, called the Sensitive Cube, characterized by the 3D geometaphors, visualized as 'floating objects'. A prototype of the 3D MGISQL visual environment has been realized, which allows users to query an archaeological– geographical database, whose experimental data refer to a site located around the city of Salerno.
... This system is still in the early stages of development. There are also suggestions for improvements to future user interfaces, such as: the need for a wider choice of icons to choose from and a better user verification system (Lee and Chin, 1995). No IR system permits or is capable of full natural language interaction with users. ...
ABSTRACT This article looks at the access to geographic information through a review of information science theory and its application to the WWW. The two most common retrieval systems are information and data retrieval. A retrieval system has seven elements: retrieval models, indexing, match and retrieval, relevance, order, query languages and query specification. The goal of information retrieval is to match the user’s needs to the information that is in the system. Retrieval of geographic information is a combination,of both information and data retrieval. Aids to effective retrieval of geographic information are: query languages that employ,icons and natural language, automatic indexing of geographic information, and standardization of geographic information. One area that has seen an explosion of geographic information retrieval systems (GIR’s) is the World Wide Web (WWW). The final section of this article discusses how seven WWW GIR’s solve the the problem of matching the user’s information needs to the information in the system. INTRODUCTION This article deals,with information,science,issues,pertaining,to geographic information, such as the retrieval of information and ability to effectively,query,a retrieval,system,for information.,This,is not a technical,article,dealing,with,design,or interface,issues,of specific geographic,information,systems.,Pertinent,articles,not,discussed,are included,after,the,reference,section. retrieval problem is a system’s best match between a user's information need and the
... For the non-textual interface, which we are focusing on, usually there is a visual language supporting it, called as a visual query language. Several approaches on visual query languages are proposed in [3,9,10]. In these approaches, the picture elements conveying different meaning are connected together to form a query. ...
In this paper a visual approach for the query interface on the spatial/temporal data is described, which is designed for the users who know nothing about query languages. Based on concept of elementary query and query operators, a complex spatial/temporal query could be built as a compound query which is broken down into several interactive iterations. In each of iterations, users just need to build a simple elementary query and select a query operator, which greatly reduces the mental load of users. To make query building more efficient, a novel approach based on the query pattern retrieving and matching is explained and used in the interface. An experimental prototype has been implemented to demonstrate the usability of the interface.
... When trying to add user-friendliness to GIS, the association of visual descriptions to such features seems to be quite a natural step. As a matter of fact, many systems have been primarily targeted for visually querying spatial features of GIS data (see also [10,14]). ...
In the last years, the attention of the public community on electromagnetic pollution has continuously grown. In this paper
we argue that the use of Geographic Information Systems in this domain should be encouraged as a valid support to the monitoring
activities related to this phenomenon. In particular, our proposal of a visual environment, the Metaphor GIS Query Language
is shown to provide a fruitful combination of GIS technology and visual languages, which have the double advantage of assisting
electromagnetism experts in the measurement tasks, and facilitating non-expert users who might be interested in the level
of EMF pollution in a given area.
... Much work has been done also to develop query-by-example methodologies based on iconic, diagrammatic, graph-based or multi-modal approaches [18,23]. Additionally, some specific work about spatial DBMS allow users to sketch queries on specific interfaces [10,14]. ...
The need to perform complex analysis and decision making tasks has motivated growing interest in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a means to compare different scenarios and simulate the evolution of a phenomenon. However, data and function complexity may critically affect human interaction and system performances during planning and prevention activities. This is especially true when the scenarios of interest involve continuous fields, besides discrete objects.In the present paper we describe the visual environment Phenomena, where continuous and discrete data may be handled through a uniform approach. We illustrate how users’ activity is supported by a visual framework where they can interact with, manipulate and query heterogeneous data, with a very small training effort. A preliminary experimental study suggests that when users perform complex tasks, a higher usability degree may be achieved compared to the adoption of a textual spatial SQL.
... For each non-textual query interface, usually there is a visual query language supporting it. Many approaches for visual query languages have been proposed101112. In these approaches the visual elements conveying different meaning are connected together to form a query. ...
Previous approaches in query processing do not consider queries to automatically combine results obtained from different information sources, i.e. they do not support information fusion. In this work, an approach for information fusion using a progressive query language and an interactive reasoner is for this reason introduced. The system basically consists of a query processor with fusion capability and a reasoner with learning capability. This query processor first executes a query to produce some initial results. If the initial results are uninformative, then the reasoner guided by the user creates a more elaborate query by means of some rule and returns the query to the query processor to produce a more informative answer. What is novel in our approach is that application-dependent information fusion rules can be initially specified by the user and subsequently learned by the reasoner. Examples of progressive queries are drawn from multi-sensor information fusion applications.
... There exist several approaches to visual query languages for spatial databases, for example, [23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Common to all these approaches is that they allow to query only static spatial situations, that is, they can express queries like 'Retrieve all airports in Ohio'. ...
Queries about objects that change their spatial attributes over time become particularly interesting when they ask for changes in the spatial relationships between different objects. We propose a visual notation that is able to describe scenarios of changing object relationships. The visual language is based on the idea to analyze two-dimensional traces of moving objects to infer a temporal development of their mutual spatial relationships. We motivate the language design by successively simplifying object traces to their intrinsic properties. The notation can be effectively translated into a calculus of spatio-temporal predicates that formally characterizes the evolution of spatial relationships. We also outline a user interface that supports specifications by menus and a drawing editor. 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.
... Another approach deals with pictorial query specification for spatially referenced image databases [Soffer and Samet, 1998]. We refer to [Haarslev and Wessel, 1997] for a review of the four approaches [Meyer, 1994;Calcinelli and Mainguenaud, 1994;Lee and Chin, 1995;Egenhofer, 1997] that come closest to the ideas and concepts behind VISCO. [Meyer, 1994] also gives formal semantics for visual spatial queries using a mapping to the Datalog language but there exists no formalization of topological relations or conceptual knowledge. ...
This article presents a logic-based formalism for formal reasoning about visual representations. This formalism is based on previous work about describing visual notations [1]. However, in this article, we discuss major extensions to this formalism providing decidable reasoning mechanisms that support truly spatial domains such as geographical information systems (GIS). We demonstrate the application of this formalism to specifying semantics of visual query languages for GIS and to meta-reasoning about spatial queries.
... In a similar attempt, Lee and Chin [19] designed an iconic query language in which users compose a query by selecting spatial relations from a predefined set represented as icons. They only consider a small subset of topological relations, so that a user can select them from a set of icons. ...
... An RSS query can be specified using textual methods that extend conventional database manipulation languages, such as SQL, to include spatial relations Joseph and Cardenas 1988] or visual methods [Lee and Chin 1995]. Visual queries are specified by placing graphical icons corresponding to domain objects in a sketch pad window. ...
A framework for retrieving images by spatial similarity (FRISS) in ima ge databases is presented. In this framework, a robust retrieval by spatial similarity (RSS) algorithm is defined as one that incorporates both directional and topological spatial constraints, retrieves similar images, and recognized images even after they undergo translation, scaling, rotation (both perfect and multiple), or any arbitrary combination of transformatioins. The FRISS framework is discussed and used as a base for comparing various existing RSS algorithms. Analysis shows that none of them satisfies all the FRISS specifications. An algorithm, SIMdtc, is then presented. SIMdtc introduces the concept of a rotation correction angle(RCA) to align objects in one image spatially closer to matching objects in another image for more accurate similarity assessment. Similarity between two images is a function of the number of common objects between them and the closeness of directional and topological spatial relationships between object pairs in both images. The SIMdtc retrieval is invariant under translation, scaling, and perfect rotation, and the algorithm is able to rank multiple rotation variants. The algorithm was tested using synthetic images and the TESSA image database. Analysis shows the robustness of the SIMdtc algorithm over current algorithms.
... Obviously the query can be ambiguous and have a different interpretation than that intended by the user, such as " Find all the regions which are passed through by a river and overlap a forest, and in which the river is disjointed from the forest " . In an other approach [9] it is possible to remove undesired relationships among drawn symbolic graphical objects or impose an a priori restrictive interpretation using the foreground/background metaphor. When the user draws a new symbolic graphical object, he can set the state of all the previous drawn symbolic graphical objects to foreground or background. ...
The main problem of visual query languages for geographical data concerns the query’s ambiguity. Ambiguity derives from the fact that a query can lead to multiple interpretations for both the system and user. In fact a query can have different visual representations, and these can themselves have different interpretations. Among the reasons leading to these ambiguities, one appears to be fundamental: the user gives his own semantics to the information. However his actions may not completely represent his intentions, so the system may make an incorrect interpretation. Additionally, when a user draws two icons representing different geographical objects of a query he cannot avoid defining one or more spatial relationships between them. This is the case for any pair of icons, however the user often does not want to define spatial relationships between all pair of icons. So he cannot express his exact query and different queries must be formulated to obtain his goals.
This work proposes a Pictorial Geographical Query Language, GeoPQL, that allows the user to represent only the desired relationships and avoid undesired relationships in the query’s visual representation.
The language is based on twelve operators. The set of operators includes all the main topological operators, distance and two operators devoted to solving ambiguities in visual query representation. The paper then discusses syntactic and semantic correctness of spatial configurations and related operators in the context of the declarative geographic pictorial query language. Some possible ambiguities and their solutions are presented in order to show the language’s characteristics.
GeoPQL has been implemented as a stand alone tool which interfaces with ESRI’s ArcView®, and the main results obtained are: high expressive power, solution of the ambiguities inherent to the spatial representation of a query and exact matching between the query and the obtained results.
In Geographic Information Systems (GISs), pictorial query languages
are visual languages which make easier the user to express queries
by free-hand drawing. In this perspective, this paper proposes an
approach to provide approximate answers to pictorial queries that
do not match with the content of the database, i.e. the results are
null. It addresses the polyline-polyline topological relationships and is
based on an algorithm, called Approximate Answer Computation algo-
rithm, which exploits the notions of Operator Conceptual Neighborhood
(OCN) graph and 16-intersection matrix. The OCN graph represents
the conceptual topological neighborhood between Symbolic Graphical
Objects and is used for relaxing constraints of queries. The nodes of the
OCN graph are labeled with geo-operators whose semantics has been
formalized. The 16-intersection matrix provides enriched query details
with respect to the well known DE − 9IM proposed in the literature.
A set of minimal 16-intersection matrices associated with each node
of the OCN graph, upon the external space connectivity condition, is
defined and the proof of its minimality is provided. The main idea be-
hind each introduced notion is illustrated by using a running example
throughout this paper.
The main issues of spatial databases and Geographic Information System (GIS), concern the representation, the management and the manipulation of a large and complex number of spatial objects and spatial relationships. In these systems many concepts are spatial and, therefore they are intrinsically related with a visual representation, which makes also easier to formulate queries by non-expert users. The main problems in visual query languages for spatial databases concern imprecision, spatial integrity and ambiguities in query formulation. Our concern in this chapter is with the ambiguity of visual geographical queries. In particular, a review of existing visual query languages for spatial databases and their classification on the grounds of the methodology adopted to resolve the ambiguity problem are provided.
This chapter introduces a classification of ambiguities in visual languages and discusses the ambiguities that occur in spatial visual query languages. It has adopted the definition of visual language given in Bottoni, Costabile, Levialdi, and Mussio (1995) as a set of visual sentences, each formed by an image, a description, an interpretation function, and a materialization function. It proposed a distinction between ambiguities produced by 1-n relationship between an image and its description, and ambiguities due to imprecision produced by the user's behavior during the interaction. Furthermore, the authors hope that this comprehensive classification of ambiguities may assist in the definition of visual languages in order to allow the user to communicate through visual notations by avoiding having to formulate sentences that have multiple interpretations.
This paper presents Lvis, a visual query language for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and for spatio-temporal databases. Visual queries are specified by means of a combination of icons. These icons are used to represent both object types and operators. Geometric shapes are used to represent spatial objects and relations among them; Balloons and temporal axis are used to represent temporal criteria. A visual approach has been chosen because it offers numerous advantages for the representation of spatio-temporal queries. Visual representations are in fact well-suited since they easily permit to express the spatial nature of a query. Several research works dealing with this issue have been proposed in the last ten years. Besides, visual querying is a friendly and simple querying mode. It is the reason why it is well-adapted to novice users. The paper introduces the spatio-temporal model of the language. It gives some examples of queries to explain how geometric shapes, icons and temporal axis are combined. Finally, it discusses the main issues tied to the visual, psycho-cognitive and spatio-temporal considerations.
The widely recognized value of icons, diagrams, and other graphical notations in human–computer interaction and human–human (interhuman) communication, and the decreasing cost of hardware technologies and graphics software have caused the development of a novel approach termed visual programming or graphical programming .
Visual programming covers a wide variety of activities that make extensive use of icons and diagrams to convey information and to allow for multimodal communication and interaction between humans and computers. Indeed, in spite of the terminology adopted, “visual programming” does not denote merely the specification of visual programs but rather refers to the ability of using graphics as a communication means in any activity that involves human–computer interaction. Typical activities that benefit from the use of visual languages are generation of graphical user interfaces, database manipulation, supporting novice users in program comprehension, and program composition. Thus, a huge amount of visual programming languages have been introduced. Such languages allow a user to communicate with the system by spatially arranging visual objects on the screen, so as to compose a “visual sentence.”
It is worth pointing out that despite their names, Visual Microsoft languages are not actually visual programming languages. Indeed, they are textual programming languages enhanced with a graphical user interface builder meant to support the programmer in the construction of the user interface portion of the program. These languages and there formal specifications are discussed. Also discussed is the implementation of systems that generate these measurements.
In this paper, we describe the result of an experiment we conduct at our Department meant to understand which visual representation between two-dimensional or threedimensional icon arrangements is better for stimulating the user mental model in order to recognize topological relationships. The experiment has involved two groups of 10 subjects to which we have submitted some tasks representing common topological relationships. The experiment consisted in two sessions During the first session, for each task we asked users to assign a score indicating how much the task may be represented by each arrangement, then we calculated the existing correlation between the approaches. Resulting values show that using three-dimensional icons there are no significant improvements in efficacy with respect to bi-dimensional iconic arrangements. However, the second session of the experiment revealed that the degree of user's satisfaction may be positively influenced by the use of threedimensional icons. © 2007 by Knowledge Systems Institute Graduate School. All rights reserved.
Accessing the user interfaces proposed by GISs, G-DBMS or geographic Web sites shows how complex they may prove for novice users of geographic information. Such users have needs in geographic information, but they do not have the means to express them and thus to adequately fulfil them. The objective of this paper is to outline an approach that may help users specify their needs with geographic information. This approach consists in converging on one available solution, the closest possible to the user needs, by using new means of communication between user and computer: map samples and natural language. Map samples are geographical data, extracted from the database and possibly processed by available GIS treatments. A few map samples are proposed to the user, who makes the relevant choices. The system tries to "understand" the interactions to help in the choosing. A search engine navigates through the available map samples in order to identify the most appropriate map samples and proposes them to help the user identify the need more precisely. Natural language allows the expression of user needs to be captured in a manner more consistent with a dialogue and provides more freedom or versatility for example, for general queries and quantitative evaluation. A virtual scenario shows the combination between these two languages.
In this paper, a visual algebra and the relative pictorial query language (PQL) for geographic information systems (GIS) are proposed and discussed. The base data structure of the object oriented model for geographical data is defined and the symbolic features used in the PQL are described. The algebra operators are formally defined, besides their properties and applicability. The use of the symbolic features to express the queries is illustrated, as well as the possible pictorial operations are considered. The used interface is part of the Scenario GIS, developed using an object-oriented environment. This PQL makes easier the formulation of a complex query and simplifies user approach to the system, maintaining a strong expressive power. Finally, an example of query and its pictorial composition on the screen is shown.
A spatial query interface has been designed and implemented in the object-oriented paradigm for heterogeneous data sets. The object-oriented approach presented is shown to be highly suitable for querying typical multiple heterogeneous sources of spatial data. The spatial query model takes into consideration two common components of spatial data: spatial location and attributes. Spatial location allows users to specify an area or a region of interest, also known as a spatial range query. Also, the spatial query allows users to query spatial orientation and relationships (geometric and topological relationships) among other spatial data within the selected area or region. Queries on the properties and values of attributes provide more detailed non-spatial characteristics of spatial data. A query model specific to spatial data involves exploitation of both spatial and attribute components. This paper presents a conceptual spatial query model of heterogeneous data sets based on the object-oriented data model used in the geospatial information distribution system (GIDS).
This paper proposes an extension of the Pictorial Geographical Query Language GeoPQL, that allows the user to express queries
pictorially. Topological and metrics operators are already presented in a previous work. This extension refers to queries
in which the user uses concepts that the system implicitly interprets and transforms. In particular, the paper adds the oriented
polyline to the classic three objects (point, polyline, and polygon) and defines a set of cardinal and positional operators.
In order to maintain non-ambiguity in the query’s visual representation, GeoPQL uses three different working spaces, the first
for topological and metrics operators, the second for cardinal operators, and the third for positional operators.
In this paper a visual approach to querying in large spatial databases is presented. A diagrammatic technique utilising a
data flow metaphor is used to express different kinds of spatial and non-spatial constraints. Basic filters are designed to
represent the various types of queries in such systems. Icons for different types of spatial relations are used to denote
the filters. Different granularities of the relations are presented in a hierarchical fashion when selecting the spatial constraints.
The language constructs are presented in detail and examples are used to demonstrate the expressiveness of the approach in
representing different kinds of queries, including spatial joins and composite spatial queries.
In visual query languages, especially in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a query can lead to multiple interpretations
for the system and for the user. An origin is that a unique working space is used to express different kinds of information.
Another origin is that the user gives his own semantics to information. Ambiguities represent a big challenge in visual query
languages because they are found at different levels and sublevels. Ambiguities depend on the action and on the interpretation
of the user and on the representation of the system. We propose a taxonomy of ambiguities in visual GIS query languages in
order to determine which case of ambiguity is met and at which level. We also propose different solutions to resolve the ambiguities
we detected. A model has been made to solve a particular case of ambiguity in the Lvis [3] visual language. This model shows that the number of semantics in a spatial ambiguity can be very high. An extension of
Lvis is currently implemented to test some resolution ways.
In this paper a Pictorial Query Language (PQL) for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is proposed. The user queries the GIS drawing symbolic objects, combining them together and selecting the derived result among those ones proposed by the PQL. The used interface is part of the Scenario GIS developed using an object oriented environment. This PQL makes easier the formulation of a complex query and simplifies user approach to the system, maintaining a strong expressive power. An overview on the data structure type, on the operators and on the relations among geographic entities is briefly made. The Visual Algebra and the relative operators are defined. The pictorial operations associated to the above mentioned algebra are described. Finally, an example of query and its visual composition on the screen is shown.
To support users in querying geographic databases we have developed a system that lets people sketch what they are looking for. It closes the gap between user and information system, because the translation of a user's question into a processable query statement is delegated to the information system so that a user can focus on the actual query rather than spending time with its formulation. This system paper highlights a set of interaction methods and sketch interpretation algorithms that are necessary for pen-based querying of geographic information systems. They are part of a comprehensive prototype implementation of Spatial-Query-by-Sketch, which provides feature-based and relation-based spatial similarity retrieval.
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.
The authors propose a declarative Pictorial Query Language (called PQL*) that is able to express queries on an Object-Oriented geographic database drawing the features which form the query. These features refer to the classic ones of a geographic environment (geo-null, geo-points, geo-polyline, and geo-region) and define the alphabet of the above mentioned language. This language, extended with respect to a previous one, considers twelve positional operators and a set of their specifications. Moreover, the possibility to use the mentioned language to query multidimensional databases is discussed. Finally, the characteristic of the mentioned language by a query example is shown.
Geographic information systems (GIS) manage geographical data and present the results visually using maps. Visual languages are well adapted to query such data. We propose to express queries sent to a GIS using symbolic maps with metaphors, i.e., visual representation of the spatial relationships making up the query. Visual languages suffer from the appearance of ambiguity. We distinguish visual ambiguities from selection ambiguities. Visual ambiguities appear when a given visual representation of a query corresponds with several interpretations. In order to define new spatial relationship, the user points out one (or several) metaphor(s) already available in the restitution space. Selection ambiguities appear when a given selection corresponds with several metaphors. We suggest palliating visual and selection ambiguities by associating a placing method with composition automata. The placing method insures to minimize level of ambiguity. We determine levels of ambiguity and user interaction complexity depending on the required expressive power. The higher the desired expressive power is, the higher the level of ambiguity is and thus the more complex the user interaction is. A prototype has been implemented to validate the placing method and the automaton allowing the highest expressive power.
Nowadays, two of the main challenges involving spatio-temporal databases concern the integration of their spatial and temporal features to store and query spatial objects changing over time, and the development of a simple and friendly language to query spatio-temporal data. In this paper we gather these two challenges by proposing Moving GeoPQL, a language defined in order to express spatio-temporal queries, extending the Geographical Pictorial Query language (GeoPQL). The proposed evolution is based on the concept of temporal layer that allows specifying the spatial configuration of moving objects in a time interval. More layers allow representing changes in terms of spatial configurations. Some examples of query formulation and system operation are described in the article. Finally, an experiment has been carried out for evaluating the usability of the Moving GeoPQL system. Results of this experiment showed that it facilitates the spatio-temporal query formulation since it is more user-friendly and ease to use compared to textual query languages.
This paper presents an approach to designing a spatial query language, called GeoSQL, in terms of the conventional spatial query and implementation process. A critical factor to the design is how to accommodate spatial operators in an appropriate form, while being compatible with the Structured Query Language (SQL) standard. To achieve this, the FROM clause of SQL is restructured to contain spatial operators via a subquery so that the results of spatial operations can be easily fed into both the SELECT and WHERE clauses. The subquery in the FROM clause creates an intermediate relation, on which the selection in terms of certain criteria is conducted. This is a distinct characteristic of GeoSQL. The syntax and semantics of GeoSQL are described, and a set of examples for testing the expressiveness of the language is given. The interface of the language is also designed with the introduction of visual constructs (e.g., icons and ListBoxes) to aid the entry of query text. This distinguishes GeoSQL's interface from the previous extended SQLs, which only employ pure text for constructing a query. After this, an implementation of GeoSQL is discussed. This paper finally suggests further extending GeoSQL for temporal and fuzzy queries.
A reasonably comprehensive set of data accessing and manipulation operations that should be supported by a generalized pictorial database management system (PDBMS) is proposed. A corresponding high-level query language, PICQUERY, is presented and illustrated through examples. PICQUERY has been designed with a flavor similar to QBE as the highly nonprocedural and conservational language for the pictorial database management system PICDMS. PICQUERY and a relational QBE-like language would form the language by which a user could access conventional relational databases and at the same time pictorial databases managed by PICDMS or other robust PDBMS. This language interface is part of an architecture aimed toward data heterogeneity transparency over pictorial and nonpictorial databases
The utility of a Land Records or Natural Resource infor mation system is greatly enriched if its geographic (or map-based component) and associated attribute data com ponents can be integrated. Differences in how these two classes of data are now processed, in particular, the lack of a common query language, have impeded this integration. Kork Systems' new Geographic Information System (KGIS) combines separate geographic and attribute data bases into a single, integrated system. Geographic data (polygons, lines and points) are maintained in a fully-intersected topologic data structure with direct links to their associated attributes. The query language used in KGIS is based on the Structured Query Language (SQL). Several important additions were made to SQL to incorporate spatial concepts into the query language, including location, area, length, proximity and geogra phic context. These additions enable the user to form rapid, on-line queries about complex spatial relation ships among the data.
SQL is a standard query language designed for the relational data base model, but it lacks semantics applicable to the spatial analysis so important in the analysis and processing of geographic and cartographic data. This paper discusses extensions to the SQL standard to support spatial analysis in a topologically-structured geographic data base, including extensions of general data base techniques, and special spatial operators. The research and prototyping for this paper was done in Intergraph's TIGRIS GIS development group, using commercial software being developed there. -from Authors
The design and implementation of a declarative GIS query processor capable of extracting the locations of complex objects from a spatial database is described. The processor extracts such objects from the database in a single, automated step. It also provides extensible support with respect to spatial operators and is independent of the particular spatial and attribute relationships being satisfied. The processor relies on the application of spatial operators that are stored in an extensible database and is guided both by symbolic definitions of the objects being sought and knowledge of the different operators. Search is based upon an efficient query processing algorithm, named forward constraint propagation, that integrates spatial constraint propagation, geometric search using hierarchical data structures, and an effective heuristic used in solving constraint satisfaction problems. Experimental results show that forward constraint propagation is superior to other constraint satisfaction algorithms for large domain sizes and high degrees of constraint.
This paper briefly summarizes the implementation of GEO-OUEL, a special purpose geographic information retrieval and display system. Basically, it is a rather small "front end" to a powerful general purpose relational data base system, INGRES, implemented at Berkeley. Also discussed are the problems that were discovered during the implementation of the original proposal (presented at the 1975 ACM SIGMOD/SIGGRAPH Workshop in Waterloo, Ontario) and the corrective steps taken. Lastly, experiments are described which indicate the performance penalty paid for this "front end" approach and the savings in development time realized.
In the computing industry, many regional and international standards organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineering (I.E.E.E.) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) are actively engaged in the formulation of standards in an attempt to facilitate the development of computer software. It is therefore appropriate to take advantage of standards whenever possible to allow portability of the software. For users of land and geographical information, it is envisaged that there will be more land data banks being made available for public enquiries. There will certainly be a need to have portable software that can be easily used by users with low-end computing resources to retrieve data selectively, both in report or graphical forms, from land data banks. A high-level query language to facilitate such selection is extremely useful. A graphic query language (GQL) which enables users to retrieve information selectively is presented in this paper. GQL is structured in SQL (structured query language) fashion, allowing retrieval of textual and graphic information. It is designed to conform with ISO standard 7942 (graphical kernel system) and ISO standard 9075 (database language SQL).
This paper presents a query language, QPF, and describes its implementation in a knowledge-based geographical information system (KGIS). Using QPF, users can retrieve both symbolic and graphical data, and browse through the entire database without prior knowledge of the contents and organization of the KGIS. Processing of complex queries, such as query by object spatial relations, is guided by knowledge represented in frames that simplifies not only query processing, but also query definition and makes querying user-friendly.
This paper is concerned with the use of icons in human-computer interaction (HCI). Icons are pictographic representations of data or processes within a computer system, which have been used to replace commands and menus as the means by which the computer supports a dialogue with the end-user. They have been applied principally to graphics-based interfaces to operating systems, networks and document-processing software.The paper attempts to provide a more systematic treatment of icon interfaces than has hitherto been made, and to create a classification which it is hoped will be of use to the dialogue designer. The characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of icon-based dialogues are described. Metaphors, design alternatives, display structures and implementation factors are discussed, and there is a summary of some icon design guidelines drawn from a variety of sources. Some mention is also made of attempts by researchers to measure the effectiveness of icon designs empirically.
Iconic interfacing is now widespread. Increasing aspects of the system functionality —including objects, options, operations, states and messages —are being represented at the interface in this pictorial form. Against this Zeitgeist, this paper sets out to discuss how useful icons really area and whether they live up to their expectations. A classification of the function and form of icons is outlined together with a proposal of the way in which a simple grammar of icon forms which maps onto the underlying system structure can be developed. Finally theoretical issues are discussed in the way in which information from icon-based displays is used when performing a task at the interface.
In April 1981 Xerox announced the 8010 Star Information System, a new personal computer designed for office professionals who create, analyze, and distribute information. The Star user interface differs from that of other office computer systems by its emphasis on graphics, its adherence to a metaphor of a physical office, and its rigorous application of a small set of design principles. The graphic imagery reduces the amount of typing and remembering required to operate the system. The office metaphor makes the system seem familiar and friendly; it reduces the alien feel that many computer systems have. The design principles unify the nearly two dozen functional areas of Star, increasing the coherence of the system and allowing user experience in one area to apply in others.
PROGRAPH is a functional, data flow oriented language, expressed graphically in the form of pictographs. Pictographs are created by computer graphics and are directly executable. PROGRAPH contains a data base subsystem which is also functional in nature (including update operations). This report provides a presentation of the main features of the language and detailed descriptions of its built in operations.
Eliza is a program operating within the MAC time-sharing system at MIT which makes certain kinds of natural language conversation between man and computer possible. Input sentences are analyzed on the basis of decomposition rules which are triggered by key words appearing in the input text. Responses are generated by reassembly rules associated with selected decomposition rules. The fundamental technical problems with which Eliza is concerned are: (1) the identification of key words, (2) the discovery of minimal context, (3) the choice of appropriate transformations, (4) generation of responses in the absence of key words, and (5) the provision of an editing capability for Eliza scripts. A discussion of some psychological issues relevant to the Eliza approach as well as of future developments concludes the paper. 9 references.
IBS (Icon Based System) is an experimental graphical query language based on icons. It demonstrates the capabilities of a workstation environment by integrating the aspects of database programming in one graphical setting. Namely, it allows direct manipulation of objects dealing with pictorial data as well as alphanumeric data. We point out the interaction techniques between users and database systems. Then we describe the design of IBS, illustrate its features, and show how queries are formulated in a medical context.
The authors propose a structural classification and vocabulary for
visual languages. The visual grammars that comprises the elements of
such a language is defined. The usual elements are composed of: (1) the
visual alphabet, a set of visual primitives in a visual language; (2)
the visual syntax, compositions of primitives to form visual statements;
(3) interaction, user-to-system communications; and (4) structure, rules
combining sublanguages into a language. The classification of the visual
elements is viewed as a linguistic description of visual language
The authors propose a framework for the construction of icon
systems. An icon system is composed of icons and rules. Icons represent
real objects such as sales books, folders, calculators, etc. Functions
associated with an object are associated with an object are specified in
the icon representing the object. Icons therefore have both data and
function properties. Icons may in fact have several functions. The
behavior of an icon is not fixed but is determined at the time of
programming by being combined with another icon. Rules are provided to
make flexible interpretation of icons feasible depending on the
application, the status of the system, and so on. The behavior of the
system can be changed by replacing icons and/or rules with new ones.
Implementational issues are also described. A system prototype is now in
an actual operation on a workstation in laboratory environment
Query-by-Pictorial-Example is a relational query language introduced for manipulating queries regarding pictorial relations as well as conventional relations. In addition to the manipulating capabilities of the conventional query languages, queries can also be expressed in terms of pictorial examples through a display tenninal. Example queries are used to illustrate the language facilities.
A prototype intelligent image database system (IIDS) that is based on a novel pictorial data structure is presented. This prototype system supports spatial reasoning, flexible image information retrieval, visualization, and traditional image database operations. A pictorial data structure, based on 2-D strings, provides an efficient means for iconic indexing in image database systems and spatial reasoning. The modular design of IIDS facilitates its implementation. Further extensions of the prototype system are discussed
An abstract formalism for the representation of spatial knowledge
is suggested. The focus is on the development of a comprehensive
representation scheme for pictorial information in which the knowledge
model of the given world has a high degree of perceptual similarity to a
typical user's view of the same world. The model that has been developed
uses the object-oriented method of knowledge representation. The
intention is that with this model any user of the system will be
equipped to depict pictorial information easily and will be able to
portray spatial as well as conceptual abstractions, generalizations, and
rules at various levels
OBE's two-dimensional programming brings new flexibility to nonprogramming computer users. They can quickly learn to compose, edit, format, and distribute letters, reports, and graphs.
An overview of geographic information systems (GISs) is given, covering data collection, applications, organization, and data models. Recent trends in map data processing are examined, namely, automatic name placement, map generalization, an automatic digitizer and expert system for land-use analysis, a map oriented system for urban planning, and a knowledge-based GIS. Techniques for extracting information from paper-based images are discussed, and some experimental results are given.< >
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Visual programming: perspective and approaches
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