Knowledge engineering for automated map design in DESCARTES

Abstract

The paper deals with issues arising in connection to automated design of cartographic displays of spatially referenced data. A user adequately interprets a map only if it is built in compliance with the established principles of graphic and cartographic presentation. To achieve this, a mapping system should account for a number of characteristics of the data to present. Some of the characteristics concern data semantics, e.g. relationships among data components. DESCARTES is a knowledge-based system capable of automated map design. To make the system work, a formal description of characteristics of data to present should be provided. Formalization of data semantics requires intelligent support to the user. For this purpose we have developed a special program called DESCARTES APPLICATION BUILDER. The program implements psychologically based interview techniques involving grouping and comparison of variables.