Consistent generalization of spatial data across the Internet.

摘要

Spatial data generalization across the Internet is a challenge. The issues and problems require study and exploration. Several important aspects of this topic are involved in this research. The purposes, characteristics and methods of generalization both in conventional cartography and in a digital environment are discussed. The process of spatial data access and display in an Internet context is investigated. The method and the considerations for carrying out generalization over the Internet are explored. Based on those discussions and explorations, the research focuses on the development of a mechanism (the GNT system) which is used to deal with inconsistencies between adjacent data sets introduced in the generalization processes. The introduction of inconsistency is a serious problem in spatial data generalization, especially in an Internet context where the users' ability to interact with a server's GIS to deal with the problems is very limited. The GNT system helps users to get rid of inconsistencies between data sets introduced in generalization and so obtain compatible results. The development and the implementation of the GNT system are described in detail. A test is conducted to verify the concept of the GNT system and to test the formulas and algorithms involved in the system.