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Information Sciences
Volume 176, Issue 6, 22 March 2006, Pages 601-627
 
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doi:10.1016/j.ins.2005.01.021    How to Cite or Link Using DOI (Opens New Window)
Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Qualitative reasoning about consistency in geographic information

Matt Duckhama, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Jenny Linghamb, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Keith Masonc, E-mail The Corresponding Author and Michael Worboysd, E-mail The Corresponding Author

aDepartment of Geomatics, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia bDepartment of Computer Science, Keele University, Staffs ST5 5BG, UK cDepartment of Earth Sciences and Geography, Keele University, Staffs ST5 5BG, UK dNCGIA, University of Maine, Boardman Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5711, USA

Received 17 September 2003; 
revised 6 January 2005; 
accepted 7 January 2005. 
Available online 8 September 2005.

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Abstract

This paper explores the development and use of a qualitative reasoning system for describing consistency between different geographic data sets. Consistency is closely related to issues of uncertainty and interoperability in geographic information, and the paper assesses how automated reasoning about consistency can be used to support the integration of heterogeneous geographic data sets. The system developed is based on description logic. The decidability and tractability characteristics of description logic allow consistency checking to be deferred during data integration, so minimizing the information loss that usually accompanies any data integration task. Further, the user interface allows users to negotiate with the system in defining consistency. The results of the research suggest that further work could significantly increase the level of automation for many geographic data integration tasks.

Keywords: Interoperability; Description logic; Region connection calculus; GIS; Information fusion

Article Outline

1. Introduction
2. Background
2.1. Acting on inconsistency
2.1.1. Learning
2.1.2. Inconsistency resolution
2.1.3. Instigate dialog
3. Qualitative reasoning with space and theme
3.1. Simple spatio-thematic knowledge base
3.1.1. Consistent
3.1.2. Possibly consistent
3.1.3. Inconsistent
4. Reasoning system
4.1. Description logic
4.2. Reasoning services
4.2.1. Abstract data set
5. Extending the reasoning system
5.1. Granularity and consistency
5.2. Using RCC5
6. Example implementation and application
6.1. Software architecture
6.2. User interface
6.3. Application background
6.3.1. CORINE land cover map of Great Britain
6.3.2. Ordnance Survey MasterMap
6.4. Application
7. Discussion
7.1. Region connection calculus
7.2. Extensions to the reasoning system
Acknowledgements
References












Information Sciences
Volume 176, Issue 6, 22 March 2006, Pages 601-627
 
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