A multi-modal data access framework for spatial assistance systems
Carl Peter Leslie Schultz, Mehul Bhatt · 2010
Spatial assistance systems are computational embodiments of spatial decision-making and other forms of analytical abilities that otherwise typically require extensive domain-specific training, knowledge, and expertise. Broadly, such systems are essentially instruments of assistance, assurance and empowerment. Whereas these systems may vary in the domain of application and the precise manner of intelligent assistance, there exist several fundamental similarities from a systemic and information-theoretic viewpoint with regard to the ontological and computational foundations that underlie their practical design and implementation.We present a multi-modal spatial data access framework designed to serve the informational and computational requirements of the class of spatial assistance systems that are intended to provide intelligent spatial decision-making capabilities. The framework focuses on multi-perspective semantics, qualitative and artefactual abstractions, and industrial conformance and interoperability. We position the framework, and also provide use-cases with distinct application domains.