Searching Maps

近几十年来，地理信息处理取得了长足的进步，特别是计算机方法在制图中的应用。对地图传播过程的最后部分--从地图到地图阅读器的信息转换--投入的关注和资源较少。解释人类如何视觉处理空间信息的理论可能导致未来的地理信息系统不仅显示地图，而且还执行信息的视觉处理，如搜索、识别、比较、分类和概括。这一研究项目旨在研究地图阅读器进行视觉搜索的认知过程，并将通过基于神经网络原理的计算机模拟来模拟这些人类搜索过程的组成部分。将进行一系列实验，受试者使用地图作为刺激来执行搜索任务。这些实验将记录人类地图阅读器的搜索行为，并揭示作为他们搜索行为基础的认知过程。实验对象将使用颜色、形状、大小和方向来构建。这将允许测试假设，即地图上对象的空间分布会影响人抑制对阅读地图不重要的信息的能力。地图上的符号试图准确地反映选定的关于环境的信息，它们的构建是为了以一种美观的方式呈现信息。对人们如何阅读地图的研究最终将有助于制图员构建更高效的地图并加强沟通过程。认知实验很重要，因为它们可以将实验室刺激下发展出来的理论扩展到更接近现实世界环境的水平。这一理论可以作为更智能的地理信息系统中视觉处理能力的基础。

Recent decades have seen considerable progress in geographic information processing, particularly the application of computer methods to mapping. Less attention and fewer resources have been devoted to the final part of the cartographic communication process, the transformation of information from map to map readers. Theories that explain how humans visually process spatial information can lead to future geographical information systems that not only display maps, but also perform visual processing of information such as searches, identifications, comparisons, classifications and generalizations. This research project seeks to examine the cognitive processes that underlie visual search by map readers, and it will model components of those human search processes through computer simulations based on neural net principles. A series of experiments will be conducted wherein subjects perform search tasks using maps as stimuli. These experiments will document the search behavior of human map readers and uncover the cognitive processes that were the basis of their search behavior. Experimental objects will be constructed using color, shape, size, and orientation. This will allow for testing of the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of objects on a map affects a person's ability to suppress information that is not critical in reading the map. Symbols on maps attempt to accurately reflect selected information about the environment, and they are constructed to present information in an aesthetically pleasing way. Research on how people read maps will ultimately assist cartographers to construct more efficient maps and enhance the communication process. Cognitive experiments are important because they can extend theory developed with laboratory stimuli to a level that is closer to real world environments. This theory can then be the basis of visual processing capabilities in more intelligent geographical information systems.