RADGIS - an improved architecture for runtime-extensible, distributed GIS applications

A number of GIS architectures and technologies have emerged recently to facilitate the visualisation and processing of geospatial data over the Web. The work presented in this dissertation builds on these efforts and undertakes to overcome some of the major problems with traditional GIS client architectures, including application bloat, lack of customisability, and lack of interoperability between GIS products. In this dissertation we describe how a new client-side GIS architecture was developed and implemented as a proof-of-concept application called RADGIS, which is based on open standards and emerging distributed component-based software paradigms. RADGIS reflects the current trend in development focus from Web browser-based applications to customised clients, based on open standards, that make use of distributed Web services. While much attention has been paid to exposing data on the Web, there is growing momentum towards providing “value-added” services. A good example of this is the tremendous industry interest in the provision of location-based services, which has been discussed as a special use-case of our RADGIS architecture. Thus, in the near future client applications will not simply be used to access data transparently, but will also become facilitators for the location-transparent invocation of local and remote services. This flexible architecture will ensure that data can be stored and processed independently of the location of the client that wishes to view or interact with it. Our RADGIS application enables content developers and end-users to create and/or customise GIS applications dynamically at runtime through the incorporation of GIS services. This ensures that the client application has the flexibility to withstand changing levels of expertise or user requirements. These GIS services are implemented as components that execute locally on the client machine, or as remote CORBA Objects or EJBs. Assembly and deployment of these components is achieved using a specialised XML descriptor. This XML descriptor is written using a markup language that we developed specifically for this purpose, called DGCML, which contains deployment information, as well as a GUI specification and links to an XML-based help system that can be merged with the RADGIS client application’s existing help system. Thus, no additional requirements are imposed on object developers by the RADGIS architecture, i.e. there is no need to rewrite existing objects since DGCML acts as a runtime-customisable wrapper, allowing existing objects to be utilised by RADGIS. While the focus of this thesis has been on overcoming the above-mentioned problems with traditional GIS applications, the work described here can also be applied in a much broader context, especially in the development of highly customisable client applications that are able to integrate Web services at runtime

A Web GIS-based Integration of 3D Digital Models with Linked Open Data for Cultural Heritage Exploration

This PhD project explores how geospatial semantic web concepts, 3D web-based visualisation, digital interactive map, and cloud computing concepts could be integrated to enhance digital cultural heritage exploration; to offer long-term archiving and dissemination of 3D digital cultural heritage models; to better interlink heterogeneous and sparse cultural heritage data. The research findings were disseminated via four peer-reviewed journal articles and a conference article presented at GISTAM 2020 conference (which received the ‘Best Student Paper Award’)

Technological framework for ubiquitous interactions using context–aware mobile devices

This report presents research and development of dedicated system architecture, designed to enable its users to interact with each other as well as to access information on Points of Interest that exist in their immediate environment. This is accomplished through managing personal preferences and contextual information in a distributed manner and in real-time. The advantage of this system architecture is that it uses mobile devices, heterogeneous sensors and a selection of user interface paradigms to produce a sociotechnical framework to enhance the perception of the environment and promote intuitive interactions. The thrust of the work has been on software development and component integration. Iterative prototyping was adopted as a development method in order to effectively implement the users’ feedback and establish a platform for collaboration that closely meets the requirements and aids their decision-making process. The requirement acquisition was followed by the system-modelling phase in order to produce a robust software prototype. The implementation includes component-based development and extensive use of design patterns over native programming. Conclusively, the software product has become the means to evaluate differences in the use of mixed reality technologies in a ubiquitous scenario. The prototype can query a number of context sources such as sensors, or details of the personal profile, to acquire relevant data. The data (and metadata) is stored in opensource structures, so that they are accessible at every layer of the system architecture and at any time. By proactively processing the acquired context, the system can assist the users in their tasks (e.g. navigation) without explicit input – e.g. by simply creating a gesture with the device. However, advanced interaction with the application via the user interface is available for requests that are more complex. Representations of the real world objects, their spatial relations and other captured features of interest are visualised on scalable interfaces, ranging from 2D to 3D models and from photorealism to stylised clues and symbols. Two principal modes of operation have been implemented; one, using geo-referenced virtual reality models of the environment, updated in real time, and second, using the overlay of descriptive annotations and graphics on the video images of the surroundings, captured by a video camera. The latter is referred to as augmented reality. The continuous feed of the device position and orientation data, from the GPS receiver and the digital compass, into the application, makes the framework fit for use in unknown environments and therefore suitable for ubiquitous operation. This is one of the novelties of the proposed framework, because it enables a whole range of social, peer-to-peer interactions to take place. The scenarios of how the system could be employed to pursue these remote interactions and collaborative efforts on mobile devices are addressed in the context of urban navigation. The conceptual design and implementation of the novel location and orientation based algorithm for mobile AR are presented in detail. The system is, however, multifaceted and capable of supporting peer-to-peer exchange of information in a pervasive fashion, usable in various contexts. The modalities of these interactions are explored and laid out in several scenarios, but particularly in the context of user adoption. Two evaluation tasks took place. The preliminary evaluation examined certain aspects that influence user interaction while being immersed in a virtual environment, whereas the second summative evaluation compared the utility and certain usability aspects of the AR and VR interfaces

An enhanced architecture of online 3D visualization framework for monitoring coconut plantation

The visualization of existing and future agricultural plantation is becoming more important for monitoring crops as well as for decision-making, as it considerably helps to influences the production. The concept of best monitoring coconut plantation is an important stage of agricultural technology development; for instance, utilizing online 3D visualization system to support monitoring processes. The goal of this research is to present and justify an identified research problem with the utilization of a proposed enhanced architecture of online 3D visualization framework. The identified research problem was investigated since the current 3-layer framework has shortcomings, such as, weaknesses in the size of graph visualization, especially the ability to visualize large size of graph in online 3D visualization. In such situation, 3D visualization seems challenging as it generates a massive amount of image datasets and large 3D objects or graphs for each of the coconut trees. Therefore, in this novel approach, this study introduced a client/server structure-based framework which subdivides the total process into the concept of layer to overcome the existing issue. One more layer will be added to the existing three-layer framework to formalize into 3-layer framework for handling the large size graph visualization. It consists of four separate layers, namely interface layer, visualization process layer, display information layer, and database layer. Each layer has its own specific function and distinct from others. The framework was reviewed, evaluated and validated by the coconut plantation manager and 3D visualization experts; it was then used as a basis to develop a prototype to visualize the large virtual area of coconut plantation. Subsequently, the prototype was evaluated by users with diverse experience. Overall, results from the usability testing demonstrated that it can comfortably support or handle more graphs of the coconut plantation, thus achieving its satisfaction through formulating identified graph visualization problem

A Data Model for Exploration of Temporal Virtual Reality Geographic Information Systems

Geographic information systems deal with the exploration, analysis, and presentation of geo-referenced data. Virtual reality is a type of human-computer interface that comes close to the way people perceive information in the real world. Thus, virtual reality environments become the natural paradigm for extending and enhancing the presentational and exploratory capability of GIs applications in both the spatial and temporal domains. The main motivation of this thesis is the lack of a framework that properly supports the exploration of geographic information in a multi-dimensional and multi-sensorial environment (i.e., temporal virtual reality geographic information systems). This thesis introduces a model for virtual exploration of animations. Virtual exploration of animations is a framework composed of abstract data types and a user interface that allow non-expert users to control, manipulate, analyze, and present objects\u27 behaviors in a virtual-reality environment. In the model for virtual exploration of animations, the manipulation of the dynamic environment is accomplished through a set of operations performed over abstractions that represent temporal characteristics of actions. An important feature of the model is that the temporal information is treated as first-class entities and not as a mere attribute of action\u27s representations. Therefore, entities of the temporal model have their own built-in functionality and are able to represent complex temporal structures. In an environment designed for the manipulation of the temporal characteristics of actions, the knowledge of relationships among objects\u27 behaviors plays a significant role in the model. This information comes from the knowledge base of the application domain and is represented in the model through constraints among entities of the temporal model. Such constraints vary from simply relating the end points of two intervals to a complex mechanism that takes into account all relations between sequences of intervals of cyclic behaviors. The fact that the exploration of the information takes place in a virtual reality environment imposes new requirements on the animation model. This thesis introduces a new classification of objects in a VR environment and describes the associated semantics of each element in the taxonomy. These semantics are used to direct the way an object interacts with an observer and with other objects in the environment

A 4D information system for the exploration of multitemporal images and maps using photogrammetry, web technologies and VR/AR

[EN] This contribution shows the comparison, investigation, and implementation of different access strategies on multimodal data. The first part of the research is structured as a theoretical part opposing and explaining the terms of conventional access, virtual archival access, and virtual museums while additionally referencing related work. Especially, issues that still persist in repositories like the ambiguity or missing of metadata is pointed out. The second part explains the practical implementation of a workflow from a large image repository to various four-dimensional applications. Mainly, the filtering of images and in the following, the orientation of images is explained. Selection of the relevant images is partly done manually but also with the use of deep convolutional neural networks for image classification. In the following, photogrammetric methods are used for finding the relative orientation between image pairs in a projective frame. For this purpose, an adapted Structure from Motion (SfM) workflow is presented, in which the step of feature detection and matching is replaced by the Radiant-Invariant Feature Transform (RIFT) and Matching On Demand with View Synthesis (MODS). Both methods have been evaluated on a benchmark dataset and performed superior than other approaches. Subsequently, the oriented images are placed interactively and in the future automatically in a 4D browser application showing images, maps, and building models Further usage scenarios are presented in several Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) applications. The new representation of the archival data enables spatial and temporal browsing of repositories allowing the research of innovative perspectives and the uncovering of historical details.Highlights:Strategies for a completely automated workflow from image repositories to four-dimensional (4D) access approaches.The orientation of historical images using adapted and evaluated feature matching methods.4D access methods for historical images and 3D models using web technologies and Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR).[ES] Esta contribución muestra la comparación, investigación e implementación de diferentes estrategias de acceso a datos multimodales. La primera parte de la investigación se estructura en una parte teórica en la que se oponen y explican los términos de acceso convencional, acceso a los archivos virtuales, y museos virtuales, a la vez que se hace referencia a trabajos relacionados. En especial, se señalan los problemas que aún persisten en los repositorios, como la ambigüedad o la falta de metadatos. La segunda parte explica la implementación práctica de un flujo de trabajo desde un gran repositorio de imágenes a varias aplicaciones en cuatro dimensiones (4D). Principalmente, se explica el filtrado de imágenes y, a continuación, la orientación de las mismas. La selección de las imágenes relevantes se hace en parte manualmente, pero también con el uso de redes neuronales convolucionales profundas para la clasificación de las imágenes. A continuación, se utilizan métodos fotogramétricos para encontrar la orientación relativa entre pares de imágenes en un marco proyectivo. Para ello, se presenta un flujo de trabajo adaptado a partir de Structure from Motion, (SfM), en el que el paso de la detección y la correspondencia de entidades es sustituido por la Transformación de entidades invariante a la radiancia (Radiant-Invariant Feature Transform, RIFT) y la Correspondencia a demanda con vistas sintéticas (Matching on Demand with View Synthesis, MODS). Ambos métodos han sido evaluados sobre la base de un conjunto de datos de referencia y funcionaron mejor que otros procedimientos. Posteriormente, las imágenes orientadas se colocan interactivamente y en el futuro automáticamente en una aplicación de navegador 4D que muestra imágenes, mapas y modelos de edificios. Otros escenarios de uso se presentan en varias aplicación es de Realidad Virtual (RV) y Realidad Aumentada (RA). La nueva representación de los datos archivados permite la navegación espacial y temporal de los repositorios, lo que permite la investigación en perspectivas innovadoras y el descubrimiento de detalles históricos.The research upon which this paper is based is part of the junior research group UrbanHistory4D’s activities which has received funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under grant agreement No 01UG1630. This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, 01IS18026BA-F) by funding the competence center for Big Data “ScaDS Dresden/Leipzig”.Maiwald, F.; Bruschke, J.; Lehmann, C.; Niebling, F. (2019). Un sistema de información 4D para la exploración de imágenes y mapas multitemporales utilizando fotogrametría, tecnologías web y VR/AR. Virtual Archaeology Review. 10(21):1-13. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2019.11867SWORD1131021Ackerman, A., & Glekas, E. (2017). 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Developing Android Mobile Map Application with standard navigation tools for pedestrians

Advanced features of modern mobile devices have made it possible to develop and use maps and map based applications for navigation purposes. Since most mobile map applications nowadays are developed for motor vehicles, there is a demand for portable pedestrian navigation applications. In this thesis the Android mobile map application with standard navigation tools for pedestrian navigation was developed, as a platform for facilitating the Lund Challenge location based demonstrator of the HaptiMap project. The pivotal aim of the Lund Challenge demonstrator is to make the sights of Lund city more accessible. The mobile phone application is being designed as a touristic, historical location based game which will also assist tourists to navigate themselves in the city. To enable exploration of historical and current sites of Lund the demonstrator should contain basic components of exploring and way finding. Prior to the development the OpenStreetMap (OSM) road network data and Swedish National Road Database (NVDB) were introduced. The main advantage of using the OSM data over the NVDB dataset is the completeness of the OSM data in terms of pedestrian paths. The datasets were imported to PostgreSQL spatially extended PostGIS database, where different routing algorithms provided by pgRouting were used for routing calculations. As the Lund Challenge demonstrator is intended not only for general users but also for visually impaired users, the problem of user navigation in the parks and open areas were also discussed and the feasibility study was performed. The limitation of the developed application was the problem of the user navigation in the parks and open areas. It is therefore necessary to upgrade the road database with possible path in the open areas and parks in order to implement this application.Advanced features of modern devices have made it possible to develop and use maps and map-based applications for navigation purposes. Since most mobile map applications are currently developed for motor vehicles, there is a demand for portable pedestrian navigation applications. In this thesis, a mobile map application was developed with standard navigation tools for pedestrians, which can be used with mobile phones running Android Operating System. The application will be used as a platform for facilitating the Lund Challenge location based demonstrator. Lund Challenge location based demonstrator is designed to make historical and actual maps of Lund more accessible and is a part of the HaptiMap project. This project aims to create maps and develop location-based services for all users, including elderly and visually impaired. The goal of the Lund Challenge location based demonstrator (also known as The Lund Time Machine) is to minimize the efforts of pedestrians, especially tourists, with finding interesting sites around the city. Initially, it is being designed as a historical location based game which will assist tourists to navigate themselves around the city. In order to further explore historical and current sites, the Lund Challenge should be enhanced with the basic features of exploration and navigation included in this thesis. The road network data was chosen from two available sources: 1) data from OpenStreetMap (OSM) project which provides free geographic data, and 2) The Swedish National Road Database (NVDB) authorized by the Swedish government, which includes all Swedish road network and selected cycle paths. For this thesis, analysis was performed on the datasets using different shortest path algorithms for routing calculations. A primary advantage of using OSM over NVDB is the completeness of data relating to pedestrian paths. As a result, the determination was made that the OSM option was more appropriate for the purpose of this thesis. Since the Lund Challenge location based demonstrator is intended for both general and visually impaired users, the problem of user navigation in parks and open areas was also discussed and a feasibility study was performed. This study revealed a limitation in the application with user navigation in parks and open areas. To resolve this, it is necessary to upgrade the road network with all possible pedestrian paths for parks and open areas

Multimedia content description framework

A framework is provided for describing multimedia content and a system in which a plurality of multimedia storage devices employing the content description methods of the present invention can interoperate. In accordance with one form of the present invention, the content description framework is a description scheme (DS) for describing streams or aggregations of multimedia objects, which may comprise audio, images, video, text, time series, and various other modalities. This description scheme can accommodate an essentially limitless number of descriptors in terms of features, semantics or metadata, and facilitate content-based search, index, and retrieval, among other capabilities, for both streamed or aggregated multimedia objects