A Middleware Architecture for Transparent Access to Multiple Spatial Object Databases

Abstract

The need to access multiple databases arises frequently in geographic information processing because a single spatial object database may not contain all the information at the desired level of abstraction, completeness, and accuracy. For example, in planning the extension of underground urban utility networks such as gas and telecommunication lines, it is necessary to access databases of existing and planned utility networks. Such databases are usually maintained independently by individual operating companies. It is also common that these independent databases maintain much geographic information redundantly with different levels of abstraction, completeness, and accuracy. Many high-level decision making processes can take advantage of such redundancy to unify the content of one database with those of others. This unification of spatial objects in multiple databases is expected to extend the solution space that would otherwise be very limited or nonexistent.