Spatio-temporal Data Modeling using Formal Ontology Technology

With regard to geographical information, different categories of users have different information needs, especially in a changing environment. A warfighter will require timely and accurate updates on changes in his/her local environment. An analyst may require a set of historical data for a list of features in a given region; the features may have spatio-temporal dependencies. In order to be able to describe features and the changing environment, a principled model that can capture spatial and temporal dependencies is needed. A model, while interesting in its own right, requires ancillary development in order to be useful; thus, a spatio-temporal query language is needed. Additionally, information that is stored according to the spatio-temporal data model (STDM) and is accessed through the spatio-temporal query language must be expressed in terms compliant with relevant standards and integrated into an architecture that is relevant to both GIS and the net-centric service oriented environment. The proposed effort will result in the development of a Spatio-temporal Data Model and Spatio-temporal Query Language, having integration with OGC standards elements where possible. The prototype developed as part of this effort will exhibit a service oriented architecture that supports both push and pull of information for diverse user types.