1. Service-Oriented Architecture
as a Tool
for Map Synthesis
Alena VONDRÁKOVÁ
Vít VOŽENÍLEK
Rostislav NÉTEK
Palacký University Olomouc
Department of Geoinformatics
alena.vondrakova@upol.cz

2. Introduction
• map is one of the most suitable forms of presentation of large
amount of spatial information
• to maintain readability and clarity in the visualization it is
beneficial to prefer complex and synthetic maps
• despite the advantages of synthetic maps for users’ profits,
most of the currently produced maps are analytical maps,
to a lesser extent, complex maps
• the reason is the unavailability of automated or semi-automated
tools for processing map synthesis and the need to define the
specific expert procedures for synthetic map completion
• SOA provides the ability to create automated processes,
when a user can create a map synthesis based on the
choice of certain characteristics and practices
SOMAP 2012

3. Main Objectives
• define, describe and demonstrate possibilities for the use of SOA
for map synthesis
• map applications based on RIA approach take many advantages
from cloud-computing technology – their components are located
on dedicated servers
• the user’s access to application is fully enabled through the web
browser, providing geodata takes advantage of standardized web
map services (WMS, WFS, WCS, WPS), which enable data
sampling from independent sources, according to particular tasks
• the greatest advantage is that the SOA approach eliminates
problems with data collection – data can be recovered in
an updated form online and can be directly incorporated
to the process of map synthesis
SOMAP 2012

4. Methods
• design of the web service does not require any data physically
stored in each user´s computer – data are located on the server
• the central storage is used for saving and sharing all data in just
one place, instead of copying and saving it many times duplicated
into computers
• according to each user´s requirements, it should be possible to
fully customize the creation process based on information gained
from the users
• cartographical rules and graphical design are guaranteed
by respecting OGC specifications
• the processes based just on SOA framework provide
tools which can create specialized synthetic maps taking
into account user´s requirements
SOMAP 2012

5. Map Synthesis in GIS
• cartographic synthesis is a process where individual mono-
thematic characteristics are replaced with a new character, which
includes all the partial synthesis of presented phenomen
• types of cartographic synthesis are typification and regionalization
• typification classifies selected features in the area by the
similarities of selected characteristic, the resulting area types are
characterized by the same predetermined range of characteristics
values
• regionalization is the process of defining territorial units that are
characterized by certain characteristics, the specificity of
regionalization is that each region has its set of unique
characteristics and cannot occur more than once
SOMAP 2012

6. Map Synthesis in GIS
• the process of typification can be relatively easily achieved by
defining a procedure for processing the input data, that can be
easily repeated
• regionalization is a complex process that often includes expert
subjective opinion that cannot be expressed by means of
mathematics, it is very hard to repeat this process without new
evaluation of the features
• therefore SOA is an approach suitable for the creation of synthesis
maps in the sense of typification
• synthetic maps represent the cartographic visualizations with the
highest information value, because they express the
results of complex scientific processes on the basis
of large amounts of data
SOMAP 2012

8. SOA as a Tool for Synthesis
• map synthesis combines individual components made by the
analysis process and links, in such a way that it creates a new
(previously nonexistent) complex with high information value
• synthetic map has elements combined in different ways
• combination of GIS with SOA provides the automation and
repeatability of individual processes
• algorithm of the synthetic process is responsible for outputs
processing – the algorithm processes input data (different services
and layers) based on pre-defined procedure, with synthetic
output
• user does not know exactly which processes and tools
are involved in the process, the resulting model
aggregate input services on spatial-tasks
SOMAP 2012

9. SOA as a Tool for Synthesis
• spatial queries select data that corresponds to specific criteria or
condition, the query usually consists of three main components:
1) data specification, 2) condition formulation, 3) instruction
• not all data are suitable for GIS operation, some conditions are
formulated for data guarantee and appropriate data are selected
• last step is giving concrete instructions on what should be done
with the selected data
• spatial query used in map synthesis might be both attribute and
spatial – in attribute query the algorithm detect which
geographic objects comply with a defined property
• entering into “black-box model,” there are spatial tools
such as regionalisation, typification, cluster analysis,
factor analysis, similarities searching or elimination
SOMAP 2012

10. SOA Benefits
• benefits of SOA bring revolutionary opportunities to map creation
• designed infrastructure allows one to add or edit query input
features and its parameters (black box) anytime
• if any data needs to be updated, each particular transformation
is done on the original WFS layer only and updated immediately,
then, the changed layer automatically enters into the black box
• Example: ten users from different countries work with our
synthetics map, there is no necessity to resend updated sources
to each user and then ten users have to save it in their local
computer and subsequently generate the same map ten times
• based on documents and rules describing synthesis
behaviour, it is possible to create new map outputs
SOMAP 2012

11. Demonstration of SOA Application
• demonstration of SOA application for map synthesis process
is realized on complex synthesis map of transport density
• typical non-SOA approach is to collect all necessary data on the
map producer’s computer and then create a new one by linking
and joining in one map project
this is time-, technologically- and financially-consuming way
• the approach based on SOA indicates that it is not necessary
to download any data; it takes advantage of Web Services
• it provides better functionality, the developing process is much
easier and faster, and mainly the final map is updated immediately,
when the data are changed
SOMAP 2012

12. SOMAP 2012

13. Demonstration of SOA Application
• topographic component is the Topology WMS layer of the
Czech Republic with transparency over the WMS Satellite Map
(published by the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre)
• cascading synthesis allows the creation of the final complex map
• each layer enters into the “Black Box” where data are processed
by pre-defined algorithm
• similar simple tasks can be repeated and combined
• resulting synthetic output can be processed by the number
of mathematic functions such as length and angle measurements,
using operators (<,>,=, etc.) or Boolean algebra (AND, OR, NOT)
• if any statistical or attribute information is extracted
(e.g. select crossroads with more than 100 cars/hour)
attributes values are analyzed
SOMAP 2012

14. Demonstration of SOA Application
• in case of localization task it can be combined, for example
Olomouc City can be selected by processing the attribute (find
Olomouc in the database) as well as spatial task (extent localization
e.g by mouse, by coordinates etc.)
• current GIS methods allow combining both components because
there are many spatial databases which strictly connect geometry
with attributes
• GIS principle allows performing geometrical operations in a more
sophisticated way, typically specified by some other spatial
requirements (overlap, intersect union, identity, clip, erase, update,
split, contain an element, be in touch, etc.)
• users can define map outputs through map environment
• the synthetic process is managed by GIS operators
SOMAP 2012

15. SOA Approach
• in the process of completing synthetic maps by using the SOA
technology, it is needed to preserve the copyright protection
of input data layers and cartographic product
• GIS web architecture reflected the SOA principles typically in the
cloud computing approach
• it is a model based on the principle of the development and use
of computer technology through the Internet
• specialized services focused directly on the processing spatial data
allow the creation of custom synthetic applications using powerful
computers connected to the "cloud„
• user does not know exactly where data and application
are placed, everything is placed
“somewhere in the cloud, somewhere on the Internet”
SOMAP 2012

16. SOA Approach
• due to the SOA approach it is possible to create maps
automatically and repeatedly
• due to the benefits of the mentioned methods, if data are updated
automatically from the remote server, the synthetic map is generated
again dynamically
• in fact, final synthesis is ever updated; the end-user does not have
to worry about the content, about the data, about the processing
system
• this approach has big potential and gradually will replace
the present style of working with geospatial information
• potential of SOA-based synthetic map production
is crucial for progress in geosciences
• SOA approach can be a powerful way of map synthesis
SOMAP 2012

17. Conclusion
• GIS are an appropriate tool to create the synthesis of spatial data
layers, but not replace the need of professionals who have to set the
parameters to determine the process of map synthesis
• semi-automatic processes of map synthesis are based on
the user-defined procedures that are applied to input data in
the form of various algorithms
• benefits of SOA technology in the process of spatial synthesis
consists primarily in time savings in the implementation of complex
calculations and visualizations.
• benefits of synthetic maps for users are undisputed
• SOA provides an effective tool to create and present
synthetic maps
SOMAP 2012

18. Conclusion
• solution based on the RIA concept in cloud computing is
a new trend of processing and publishing GIS outputs
• it brings the tools, practices and conventions from the desktop
platform to the interactive web applications, providing greater user
comfort, while respecting the SOA principles
• both the data and the methods of map generating
are no duplicated
• the centralization significantly simplifies the process of map
publishing by economic, technologic and temporal aspects
SOMAP 2012

19. Acknowledgements
The paper has been completed within the Operational Program Education for Competitiveness:
European Social Fund CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0170 and CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0078.
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