Allen's Interval Algebra Makes the Difference

Allen's Interval Algebra constitutes a framework for reasoning about temporal information in a qualitative manner. In particular, it uses intervals, i.e., pairs of endpoints, on the timeline to represent entities corresponding to actions, events, or tasks, and binary relations such as precedes and overlaps to encode the possible configurations between those entities. Allen's calculus has found its way in many academic and industrial applications that involve, most commonly, planning and scheduling, temporal databases, and healthcare. In this paper, we present a novel encoding of Interval Algebra using answer-set programming (ASP) extended by difference constraints, i.e., the fragment abbreviated as ASP(DL), and demonstrate its performance via a preliminary experimental evaluation. Although our ASP encoding is presented in the case of Allen's calculus for the sake of clarity, we suggest that analogous encodings can be devised for other point-based calculi, too.Comment: Part of DECLARE 19 proceeding

Literature Review on Temporal, Spatial, and Spatiotermpoal Data Models

This paper reviews papers on temporal databases, spatial databases, and spatio-temporal databases

On neighbourhood singleton-style consistencies for qualitative spatial and temporal reasoning

Given a qualitative constraint network (QCN), a singleton-style consistency focuses on each base relation (atom) of a constraint separately, rather than the entire constraint altogether. This local consistency is essential for tackling fundamental reasoning problems associated with QCNs, such as minimal labeling, but can suffer from redundant constraint checks, especially when checks occur far from where the pruning usually takes place. In this paper, we propose singleton-style consistencies that are applied just on the neighbourhood of a singleton-checked constraint instead of the whole network. We make a theoretical comparison with existing consistencies and consequently prove some properties of the new ones. Further, we propose algorithms to enforce our consistencies, as well as parsimonious variants thereof, that are more efficient in practice than the state of the art. An experimental evaluation with random and structured QCNs of Allen's Interval Algebra in the phase transition region demonstrates the potential of our approach.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

A parametric prototype for spatiotemporal databases

The main goal of this project is to design and implement the parametric database (ParaDB). Conceptually, ParaDB consists of the parametric data model (ParaDM) and the parametric structured query language (ParaSQL). Parametric data model is a data model for multi-dimensional databases such as temporal, spatial, spatiotemporal, or multi-level secure databases. Main difference compared to the classical relational data model is that ParaDM models an object as a single tuple, and an attribute is defined as a function from parametric elements. The set of parametric elements is closed under union, intersection, and complementation. These operations are counterparts of or, and, and not in a natural language like English. Therefore, the closure properties provide very flexible ways to query on objects without introducing additional self-join operations which are frequently required in other multi-dimensional database models

Universal Temporal Data Languages

. Temporal reasoning and temporal query languages present difficult research challenges, which are slowly yielding to the combined attack of many investigations motivated by the theoretical interest and practical import of the problem. In this paper, we subscribe to TSQL2 insofar as practical requirements for a query language are concerned, but we propose a solution that overcomes its shortcomings, particularly the lack of universality whereby TSQL2 temporal extensions can not be easily applied to other query languages, such as QBE and Datalog. In this paper, we use Datalog as a framework to develop a new language --- Temporal Data Language (TDL). To support our claim of universality, we argue that TDL constructs and semantics can be directly applied to derive temporal extensions of languages, such as QBE and SQL. Finally, we evaluate alternative approaches to the implementation of TDL, using as the basis for implementation the LDL++ system with extended aggregates developed at UCLA. ..