地理情報科学における位相的空間関係の研究と今後の課題

抄録

Topological relations, which concern how two spatial objects intersect with each other, are one of the most well-studied types of spatial relations in GIScience. This paper gives an overview of the research on topological relations, especially reporting recent breakthroughs after the introduction of the 9⁺-intersection. First, we introduce three models of topological relations (9-intersection, 9⁺-intersection, and RCC) and explain how to identify the sets of topological relations between two objects of various types. Then, we explain basic ideas of two relevant inventions: (i) conceptual neighborhood graphs, which schematize a given set of topological relations, and (ii) qualitative spatial calculi, with which we can realize the disambiguation of the topological relations between multiple objects in the same space. Finally, we discuss future research issues and applications of topological relations.