A Methodology For Spatial Query Based On Toponym Information

Both spatial query and the location of spatial objects are the two basic functions in the geographic information systems (GIS) and other automated geographic data processing system. Indeed, spatial query is the basis of spatial analysis. However, most existing spatial queries are based on the coordinate data, and are lack of qualitative analysis and processing functions based on cognitive. Especially, the spatial query based on natural language is still in the initial stage. It hinders intelligent development of spatial query. Toponym is the most commonly used natural language geospatial information. It plays an important role in transmitting information, and could build a bridge between quantitative geospatial information system metric space and qualitative geospatial information based on human natural language. In this respect, there are four aspects works be done as follows:(1) Focused on the major problems need to address when toponym information applied to the spatial query. Research situations of expression and resolve methods of spatial query language, toponym information application, and spatial query based on natural language were recalled. And some existing deficiency was pointed out respectively.(2) This paper proposed a resolve method of spatial query based on natural language. First, analyzed and summarized words and phrases which composition of the spatial query language, and established the thesaurus, the amount of predicate vocabulary and toponym library of spatial relation and so on. Second, proposed four basic types of syntax models of natural language query, and then resolved spatial query language by the judgment of syntax models. Finally, programmed experiments and it proved this method reduces the difficulty of resolving query language, but also improves the efficiency of extracting spatial information from the query language.(3) Research on formalized of the toponym with consideration of semantic characteristics. First, classified the toponym, and analyzed the word formation characteristics in detail for each type of toponym. Second, discussed the method of formalize expression the vague toponym which composed by a simple toponym and spatial relation predicate in detial. Finally, specific example demonstrated the feasibility of this method.(4) Proposed the method of spatial location query based on toponym. First, calculate typicality of all toponyms which from the target within a certain range, and then select the toponym which has the biggest typicality as the reference. Get the query result described by natural language based on the spatial relationship between the target and reference. Finally, we verified our method is coincidence of the person’s cognitive according to the query experiment, and use natural language to describe is accessible for pubic application.Finally, the paper summarizes the findings, and some issues are highlighted for further investigations.