Image Database: Handling Multiple Objects and Spatial Information

本研究计划的目标是研究包含符号的图像资料库的实现所涉及的问题。这些问题涉及图形化规范的查询规范，以及处理查询的算法的开发。使用要在数据库中找到的符号示例指定查询。数据库中的符号不必事先分类，从而允许匹配质量的变化。对数据库的查询涉及匹配上下文和空间约束。检查不同约束是否满足的顺序不是固定的，查询优化器选择最优的顺序。查询图像可以包含每个符号的一个或多个实例。用户可以指定是否所有符号都必须满足空间约束，或者是否允许最大子集。在后一种情况下，需要针对所需子集和响应的规范技术。空间约束包括拓扑关系，如重叠、包围和相交，以及距离和方向。所述符号不限于点对象，因此也包括具有诸如线和区域等范围的对象。将查询处理和说明方法与已有的空间和非空间数据库相结合，实现对符号对应对象的非空间属性的查询。本研究结果将提高符号图像数据库和地理信息系统（GIS）有效处理大型空间问题的能力，例如在城市规划中增加光纤电缆。

The goal of this research project is to investigate issues involved in the implementation of image databases containing symbols. The issues involve the specification of queries with a preference given to a graphical specification as well as the development of algorithms to process the queries. A query is specified with exemplars of the symbols that are to be found in the database. The symbols in the database are not necessarily classified in advance thereby permitting variation in the quality of the match. Queries to the database involve matching contextual, and spatial constrains. The order in which he different constraints are checked for satisfaction is not fixed, the query optimizer chooses the optimal order. The query images can contain one or more instances of each symbol. The user can specify if all of the symbols must satisfy the spatial constraints or if a maximal subset is also permitted. In the latter case, there is a need for a specification technique for the required subset as well as for the response. The spatial constraints include topological relations such as overlap, encloses, and intersects as well as distance and direction. The symbols are not restricted to point objects thereby also including objects with extent such as lines and areas. The query processing and specification method is integrated with an existing spatial and non-spatial database to enable queries about non-spatial attributes of objects corresponding to the symbols. The results of this research will improve the ability of symbolic image databases and geographic information systems (GIS) to efficiently handle large spatial problems, e.g., adding fiber cables in city planning.