A data model and data structures for moving objects databases

Abstract

We consider spatio-temporal databases supporting spatial objects with continuously changing position and extent, termed moving objects databases . We formally define a data model for such databases that includes complex evolving spatial structures such as line networks or multi-component regions with holes. The data model is given as a collection of data types and operations which can be plugged as attribute types into any DBMS data model (e.g. relational, or object-oriented) to obtain a complete model and query language. A particular novel concept is the sliced representation which represents a temporal development as a set of units , where unit types for spatial and other data types represent certain “simple” functions of time. We also show how the model can be mapped into concrete physical data structures in a DBMS environment.

An Object-Relational Approach to the Representation of Multi-granular Spatio-Temporal Data

“…In the proposed approach [16], some data types, namely Integer, Boolean, Spatial, can be transformed in a temporal data type. Such an abstract model has been then transformed in a discrete model [14], closer to the implementation but more restricted with respect to the abstract model. The discrete model represents the object values that have a temporal dimension through the use of snapshots.…”

“…This method is thus referred to as sliced representation. As part of their work, Guting et al [14] have shown how the sliced representation can be mapped onto relational data structures such as records and arrays. However, they do not have specifically addressed how to map their abstract model onto the SQL3 standard.…”

“…In the object relational model, the temporal representation can use a point-based approach or an interval-point approach and it could affect the relation's tuples, called tuple level [6], [22], [23], [8] or to the relation attribute, attribute level [13], [14]. As we discussed in the Section 2, the point-based approach avoids the coalescing problems and provides a simpler vision of spatial-temporal systems.…”

On Mining Group Patterns of Mobile Users

“…Nevertheless, these time series data usually do not involve spatial information. Although there has been some work on spatial-temporal mining [11,5] that considers both temporal and spatial aspects of information, they mainly focus on the models and structures for indexing the moving objects.…”

Hermes – A Framework for Location-Based Data Management

“…3G cell-phone or PDA enhanced by the presence of a GPS receiver), receiving hints of information, commercial spots etc. Researchers [1], [2], [3], [4], motivated from such kind of application scenarios have tried to model spatio-temporal databases using this concept of moving objects and integrate them into any extensible DBMS. On the other hand, commercial relational or object-relational database systems offer limited capability of handling this kind of non-traditional data (object trajectories, in time and space).…”