Web-based Geospatial Information Web-based Geospatial Information Services and Analytical Tools for Natural Services and Analytical Tools for Natural Habitat Conservation and ManagementHabitat Conservation and Management

Thesis Committee MembersDr. Ming-Hsiang Tsou Dr. Douglas A. StowDr. Roger Whitney

(Math & Comp. Science)

Liang Guo

Research purposeResearch purpose

• Facilitate the sharing, access, and Facilitate the sharing, access, and exchange of geospatial informationexchange of geospatial information

• Enhance the utility of remotely sensed Enhance the utility of remotely sensed imagery, vector-based GIS and GPS data imagery, vector-based GIS and GPS data

• Provide real-time analysis in tracking Provide real-time analysis in tracking natural habitat conditions and status of natural habitat conditions and status of preservespreserves

• Make the environmental decision making Make the environmental decision making process more transparent and result more process more transparent and result more widely accessible widely accessible

Overall ProblemOverall Problem

• Traditional approaches for accessing Traditional approaches for accessing large volumes of geo-spatial data are large volumes of geo-spatial data are often time-consuming and problematic often time-consuming and problematic

• Only a small number of experienced Only a small number of experienced users can access GIS data and imagery users can access GIS data and imagery by using sophisticated GIS/RS software by using sophisticated GIS/RS software

Problem (cont’d)Problem (cont’d)

• The expensive GIS/RS software, The expensive GIS/RS software, specialized hardware, platform specialized hardware, platform dependence, and inability to commute with dependence, and inability to commute with remotely accessible information hindered remotely accessible information hindered further development of these systems further development of these systems

• Due to the complexity and high cost of Due to the complexity and high cost of acquiring GIS and remote sensing data, acquiring GIS and remote sensing data, most results and decision making are most results and decision making are made behind the doors, using restricted made behind the doors, using restricted information and information and withwith minimal public minimal public participationparticipation

Project NeedProject Need

• There exists a strong incentive to develop a There exists a strong incentive to develop a wider user access of geospatial data because wider user access of geospatial data because of the high cost of acquiring data and the of the high cost of acquiring data and the multi-discipline of environmental research. multi-discipline of environmental research.

• There is a long-term need to call for easy-to-There is a long-term need to call for easy-to-use and cost-effective tools that can be use and cost-effective tools that can be shared by multiple users and perform the shared by multiple users and perform the critical real-time analysis for environmental critical real-time analysis for environmental decision making.decision making.

Technical RevolutionTechnical Revolution

• Internet technology allows for seamless Internet technology allows for seamless integration with data storage, access, integration with data storage, access, analysis, visualization and the creation analysis, visualization and the creation of platform independence software. of platform independence software.

• The Internet is a perfect medium for The Internet is a perfect medium for disseminating geospatial information disseminating geospatial information interfacing with multiple usersinterfacing with multiple users

Internet Technology Advance

• From static to dynamic modeling

• From restrict use to easy access

• From stand-alone software packages to cross-platform applications

• From Heterogeneous to compatible and standard network environment

Project ObjectiveProject Objective• Provide a on-line data warehouse for efficient Provide a on-line data warehouse for efficient

storage and access of geospatial informationstorage and access of geospatial information

• Implement web-based mapping facilities for Implement web-based mapping facilities for displaying remote sensing and GIS datadisplaying remote sensing and GIS data

• Develop algorithms that perform on-line Develop algorithms that perform on-line analytical functions such as change detection analytical functions such as change detection over space and timeover space and time

• Test the prototype for the usability through Test the prototype for the usability through web-based questionnairesweb-based questionnaires

Research QuestionsResearch Questions• How well can web-based applications enhance How well can web-based applications enhance

the utility of remotely sensed imagery and GIS the utility of remotely sensed imagery and GIS datasets, and in turn contribute to the monitoring datasets, and in turn contribute to the monitoring and understanding of complex environmental and understanding of complex environmental processes?processes?

• How well can online data warehouse and How well can online data warehouse and GIService be used to facilitate the sharing of GIService be used to facilitate the sharing of geospatial datasets?geospatial datasets?

• How well can web-based change detection tools How well can web-based change detection tools and mapping functions be applied in a multi-and mapping functions be applied in a multi-discipline environmental management of natural discipline environmental management of natural resources? resources?

Programming Language and Software SelectionProgramming Language and Software Selection

• GIS/RS SoftwareGIS/RS Software

– ArcIMS 3.1ArcIMS 3.1– Erdas Imagine8.5 Erdas Imagine8.5 – ArcGIS 8.2ArcGIS 8.2– ArcView3.2ArcView3.2

• Web SoftwareWeb Software

– Macromedia Macromedia DreamweaverDreamweaver

– Microsoft Microsoft FrontPageFrontPage

• Programming Programming LanguageLanguage

– JavaJava– JavaScriptJavaScript– HTMLHTML

Prototype Prototype EvaluationEvaluation

Prototype Web Service FunctionsPrototype Web Service Functions

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

Data WarehousingData Warehousing

• ArcCatalog– FGDC

• Citation • Description • Time Period • Contact

• Search Engine

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

Prototype Prototype EvaluationEvaluationData Data

WarehouseWarehouse

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

Internet Map ServerInternet Map Server

• ESRI ArcIMSESRI ArcIMS

• Intergraph GeoMedia Intergraph GeoMedia

• AutoDeskAutoDeskMapGuideMapGuide

• MapInfoMapInfo

Internet TCP/IP

Web Browser

Web Server

Internet Map ServerGIS/RS

Database

3-Tier Architecture

ArcIMSArcIMS

• Java Viewer• HTML Viewer

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

Prototype Prototype EvaluationEvaluationData Data

WarehouseWarehouse

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

Why JavaWhy Java

• ““Write Once, Run Anywhere”Write Once, Run Anywhere”• Open Source, easily and freely Open Source, easily and freely

distributeddistributed• Object oriented, full-blown languageObject oriented, full-blown language• Extreme growth in functional APIsExtreme growth in functional APIs• Network centric, beyond computersNetwork centric, beyond computers• Advanced graphics and digital image Advanced graphics and digital image

processingprocessing

2-Tier Architecture2-Tier ArchitectureClientClient

ServerServer

3 or n Tier Architecture3 or n Tier Architecture(ArcIMS)(ArcIMS)

• Client-Server Solution Adhere to all Internet/web standard

• Utilizing existing GIS function, centralizes administration of data and GIS application software

• Client solution• Modern GUI and flexible

interaction • Good performance for

operation• Less Internet traffic• No specific software and

hardware requirement

• Poor system interface• Lack of interactivity• Create many request

• Difficult for complex data processing

• Lack of security

2-Tier Architecture2-Tier Architecture(Java Applet)(Java Applet)

Java APIs

• Client is Applet

–Abstract Window Tookit (AWT)

–Swing

–Java2D

–Java Advanced Imaging (JAI)• Swing, Java2D, and JAI

Brower needs Java 1.3 plug-in

Image TransparencyImage Transparency

http://map.sdsu.edu/arc/imgoverlay/alpha.html

Using Java2DAlphaComposite RulePixel-by-pixel transparency the source image over the destination image

AlphaComposite ac = AlphaComposite.getInstance(AlphaComposite.SRC_OVER);float alpha = 0.5f;

ac = AlphaComposite.getInstance (AlphaComposite.SRC_OVER, alpha);

BufferedImage buffImg = new BufferedImage(width, height, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_RGB);

Graphics2D graphic2D = buffImg.createGraphics();

graphic2D.drawImage(bottomImage, 0, 0, null);graphic2D.setComposite(ac);graphic2D.drawImage(topImage, 0, 0, null);

g.drawImage(buffImg, null, 0, 0);

Image Swipe

• drawImage(image,x,y,w,h,observer)

Width (W)(x,y)

Hei

gh

t (H

)

http://map.sdsu.edu/arc/imgswipe/index.htm

• drawImage(image,x1,y1,w1,h1, x2,y2,w2,h2, observer)

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

Internet Internet Map Map

ServerServer

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

On-line On-line AnalyticalAnalytical

ToolsTools

Prototype Prototype EvaluationEvaluationData Data

WarehouseWarehouse

Data Data WarehouseWarehouse

SWOTSWOTAnalysisAnalysis

On-lineOn-lineQuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Prototype Evaluation

• SWOT

– Strength

– Weakness

– Opportunity

– Threat

SWOT ANALYSISSWOT ANALYSIS

What can you improve?

What do you do poorly?

What should you avoid?W

What good opportunity are you facing?

What are the interesting trends are you aware of?

What obstacles are you facing?

What are your competitors doing?

What are you advantages?

What do you do well?

What is better than others?

TO

S

On-line Questionnaire

• Two Mission Trail Park Rangers

• Four GIS, Remote SensingProfessionals

• Four Graduate Students

Prototype WebsitePrototype Website

• Project Web Site http://map.sdsu.edu/arc

Strength

• Easy to access, cross-platformEasy to access, cross-platform

• Simplified and user-friendly interfaceSimplified and user-friendly interface

• No software requirement, no No software requirement, no hardware installation, no license hardware installation, no license

• Cost reduction, maximum availability Cost reduction, maximum availability of information to the publicof information to the public

• Facilitate the exchange and sharing Facilitate the exchange and sharing high-cost of geo-spatial information high-cost of geo-spatial information between multi-discipline usersbetween multi-discipline users

Weakness

• Lack of advanced analytical Lack of advanced analytical capability and integration with capability and integration with dynamic modelingdynamic modeling

• The desired performance is relied on The desired performance is relied on higher bandwidth requirementhigher bandwidth requirement

• Different levels of user’s technique Different levels of user’s technique understanding can not be taken for understanding can not be taken for grantedgranted

Opportunity• Improved public awareness and Improved public awareness and

participation with geospatial information participation with geospatial information by giving process more transparent and by giving process more transparent and result more accessible via the Internetresult more accessible via the Internet

• With the continuing development of web-With the continuing development of web-based applications, more GIS/RS data can based applications, more GIS/RS data can be shared in an efficient and timely be shared in an efficient and timely manner. manner.

• High bandwidth availability can make High bandwidth availability can make performance more satisfactory and performance more satisfactory and acceptable acceptable

ThreatThreat

• Need significant levels of programming Need significant levels of programming skills and geometric algorithmskills and geometric algorithm

• A comprehensive Internet GIS, and A comprehensive Internet GIS, and remote sensing application is difficult to remote sensing application is difficult to be fully developed, only certain be fully developed, only certain functions will be migrated into Internetfunctions will be migrated into Internet

• Web-based tool is ideal for demo and Web-based tool is ideal for demo and sharing of data, not capable of taking sharing of data, not capable of taking the place of desktop softwarethe place of desktop software

MetadataMetadata

• The content of FGDC metadata need The content of FGDC metadata need to be simplified and standardized for to be simplified and standardized for the efficient and practical use of the efficient and practical use of environmental program.environmental program.

• A well-organized index, sorting and A well-organized index, sorting and search mechanism is much-needed search mechanism is much-needed to facilitate the exchange and to facilitate the exchange and sharing geo-spatial informationsharing geo-spatial information

Internet Map Server

• ArcIMS and other web-based ArcIMS and other web-based mapping facilities are only focused mapping facilities are only focused on GIS analytical capabilities.on GIS analytical capabilities.

• Lack of interoperability with remote Lack of interoperability with remote sensing and GPS data, there is a sensing and GPS data, there is a significant limitation to add remotely significant limitation to add remotely sensed imagery under current sensed imagery under current software architecturesoftware architecture

Java-based On-line Analytical Tools Java-based On-line Analytical Tools

• Java has great potential for providing Java has great potential for providing advanced analytical capabilities for advanced analytical capabilities for remotely sensed imageryremotely sensed imagery

• Many Java APIs, such as Java2D, JAI Many Java APIs, such as Java2D, JAI are designed for digital image are designed for digital image processingprocessing

• Image size and format are still a major Image size and format are still a major barrier for Java programming barrier for Java programming technologytechnology

Future DevelopmentFuture Development

x

y

(Image Geo-referencing)

Web-based Image Viewer 3.0Web-based Image Viewer 3.0

http://map.sdsu.edu/mobilegis/area/index.html

Tile ImageTile Image• Tile Image breaks the Tile Image breaks the

data into “tiles” which data into “tiles” which can be loaded on can be loaded on demand.demand.

• Only a small portion Only a small portion of a dataset is visible of a dataset is visible at any one timeat any one time

• Using a 2-dimensional Using a 2-dimensional array to assist fast array to assist fast retrieval of tiles.retrieval of tiles.

Image PyramidImage Pyramid

Zo

om

Fa

cto

rZ

oo

m F

ac

tor

1X1X

2X2X

4X4X

8X8X

16X16X

tileImage (i, j, k)tileImage (i, j, k)• Internet solution to Internet solution to assist in displaying assist in displaying large datasetslarge datasets

• Reduce memory Reduce memory overloadoverload

• Multi-scale Multi-scale dependent dependent tile imagestile images

Web-based Image Viewer 4.0Web-based Image Viewer 4.0

Conclusion

• Web-based service can facilitate the access, Web-based service can facilitate the access, sharing and manipulating geo-spatial sharing and manipulating geo-spatial informationinformation

• Current technologies like Java, ArcIMS Current technologies like Java, ArcIMS demonstrate a great potential in the demonstrate a great potential in the application of GIS and remote sensingapplication of GIS and remote sensing

• Technical barrier such as bandwidth Technical barrier such as bandwidth requirement, programming capability, and requirement, programming capability, and software limitation is a major concern for the software limitation is a major concern for the further development further development

Potential UsePotential Use

• Medical Imaging• Digital Photography • Document Image Processing • Computer Aided Design (CAD)• Multi-media digital library • Presentation software

• High Resolution Imagery• Geographic Information System• Spatial Analysis - Scientific data visualization

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. Ming-Hsiang Tsou Dr. Ming-Hsiang Tsou

Dr. Douglas A. StowDr. Douglas A. Stow

Dr. Roger WhitneyDr. Roger Whitney(Math & Comp. Science) (Math & Comp. Science)

John KaiserJohn KaiserLloyd (Pete) Coulter Lloyd (Pete) Coulter

Lina CaoLina CaoJohn RyanJohn Ryan

The EndThe End