Abstract and discrete modeling of spatio-temporal data types
Martin Erwig, Ralf Hartmut Güting, Markus Schneider, Michalis Vazirgiannis · 1998
Spatio-tempm-al databases deal with geometries changing over time.In general, geometries cannot ordy change in discrete steps, but continuously, and we are talking about moving objects.If only the position in space of an object is relevan~then moving point is a basic abstraction; if also the extent is of interes~then the moving region abstraction captures moving as well as growing or shrinking regions.We propose a new line of research where moving points aud moving regions are viewed as three-dimensional (2D space + time) or higher-dimensional entities whose structure and behavior is captured by modeling them as abstract data types.Such types can be integrated as base (attribute) data types into relational, object-orient~or other DBhRSdata mode~they can be implemented as data blades, cartridges, etc. for extensible DBhISs.We expect these spatio-temporrd data types to play a similarly fundamental role for spatio-temporal databases as spatial data types have played for spatial databases.In this paper we consider the need for modeling spatiotemporal data types on two different levels of abstraction.Penrmsion to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are rim made or distributed for profn or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation cm the first page.To copy vtherwiae, m republiih, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requirss prior specific permission andlor a fee.