Object-Oriented Spatio-Temporal Data Model Based On Open GIS Simple Features Specification

Although GIS and geographical databases have existed for over 30 years, it has only been within the past few that the addition of the temporal dimension has gained a significant amount of attention. This has been driven by the need to analyze how spatial patterns change over time in order to better understand large-scale Earth processes and by the availability of the data and computing power required by that space-time analysis.By the effort across the world, presently, much progress has been made on the study of Spatio-Temporal Data Model (STDMs) and Temporal GIS. However, because of the complexity of spatio-temporal phenomena and the limitation of correlative theory and technology, much remains need to been down before a true Temporal GIS can be realized.In this dissertation, we review the history of STDMs and Temporal GIS, and analyze the existing problems and their causes. Then, we discuss the spatial and temporal semantics and processes of geographical informatioa Aiming at these problems, a general object-oriented spatio-temporal data model (GOO-STDM) based on Open GIS Simple Features Specification (Open GIS-SFS) is proposed. Furthermore, the development and implementation of GOO-STDM and representation of spatio-temporal topology relationships are focused in detail. Finally, a prototype is developed to validate the GOO-STDM.The GOO-STDM and its development provide several advantages.First, on the basis of the essential attributes and behavior of geo-objects, this model makes use of object-oriented approach to encapsulate a geo-object as a whole of space, theme and time, which encompasses semantics of what/where/when, presents better extensible to different applications.Second, by attaching temporal value on geo-objects, this model facilitates the search and query of geo-objects' historical states. Using an object ID as index, this model has the same efficiency, no matter querying space, theme or querying time.For the purpose of generality, we define spatial and temporal data types through extending the Open GIS-SFS. We propose a Compressed WKBGeometry format by amending the Well-known Binary Representation for Geometry (WKBGeometry), which both decreases the storage space of geometry value of geo-objects, and makes data transformation easier.By using of middleware, TSQL2 language and Object-Relational database, we develop a spatio-temporal middleware. We also define spatial and temporal Abstract Data Types and topological rules on the Sever side so as to cut down the burden of Client side. The using of middleware improves the flexibility and expansibility of this model.