Research On Models Describing Spatial Relations

The description of the spatial relations is the main content of the spatial relation theory, and it is also the basic subject in Geographic Information System. The description of the spatial relations has been extensively applied in spatial query, spatial analysis and spatial reasoning etc. After reviewing the existing documents and the recent progress in description of spatial relations, this dissertation points out some problems in the existing documents. Therefore, this dissertation studies the description of the spatial relations in depth. The researches in this dissertation are summarized as follows:(1) Because the current research achievements in the description of the topological relation between regions with holes are not enough, the topological relations between regions with holes are studied in the second chapter of this dissertation, and hierarchical and combinational model is set up. This model is set up at the base of eight kinds of topologic relations between simple regions and with tactics of hierarchical analysis and combinational thought. This model can describe all kinds of topological relations between regions with holes. For the same kind of topological relation between two regions with holes, if the number order of holes is different, the result described by the model is unique.(2) A interior-border-exterior directional relation model and an integrated description model on topological relations and directional relations are putted forward. The first model describes the directional relations with the spatial objects'crisp geometric figure, so the accuracy of the description is improved. In the first model, the spatial reference object's interior space, boundary space and exterior space are divided individually into nine directional zones with the cone-shaped way, which is in agreement with human's cognition. At base of the first model, a integrated description model of topological relations and directional relations is putted forward. The second model improves the resolution rate of description.(3) A improved 4-intersection-difference model is putted forward. The model is extended, and then a extended improved 4-intersection-difference model is putted forward. The extended improved 4-intersection-difference model can describe topological relations between fuzzy regions, between fuzzy regions and crisp regions, between crisp regions in an integrated framework, and remedy the shortcomings of existing models.Finally, the paper summarizes the findings, and some issues are highlighted for further investigations.