STCode: The text encoding algorithm for latitude/longitude/time

Abstract

Encoding the geographic coordinates into the compact string expression is an important problem in geosciences, therefore, several algorithms exist. Such a string is used for several purposes. One of the most frequent is probably its use as a part of a URL or as a hashtag of ad hoc data. An important part of spatially referenced data can be also a timestamp, but current encoding methods do not allowto encode the temporal dimension. In this chapter we propose a new encoding algorithm focused on a point data expressed by latitude, longitude and timestamp coordinates. The algorithm details are described and its use is shown on examples.