Representing, Manipulating and Reasoning with Geographic Semantics within a Knowledge Framework

Abstract

This paper describes a programmatic framework for representing,manipulating and reasoning with geographic semantics. The frameworkenables automating tool selection for user defined geographic problemsolving, and evaluating semantic change in knowledge discoveryenvironments. Methods, data, and human experts (our resources) uses,inputs, outputs, and semantic changes are described using ontologies.These ontological descriptions are manipulated by an expert system toselect resources to solve a user-defined problem. A semantic descriptionof the problem is compared to the services that each entity can provideto construct a graph of potential solutions. An optimal (least cost)solution is extracted from these solutions, and displayed in real-time.The semantic change(s) resulting from the interaction of resourceswithin the optimal solution are determined via expressions oftransformation semantics represented within the Java Expert SystemShell. This description represents the formation history of each newinformation product (e.g. a map or overlay) and can be stored, indexedand searched as required. Examples are presented to show (1) theconstruction and visualization of information products, (2) thereasoning capabilities of the system to find alternative ways to produceinformation products from a set of data methods and expertise, givencertain constraints and (3) the representation of the ensuing semanticchanges by which an information product is synthesized.