Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 21.1
Real-time interactive GPS/GIS system functionality (
in dark grey
) developed by
the early 1990s, and two examples of the many subsequent outcomes of these technologies:
(
1
) the generation of new research frontiers and capabilities in geography and many related
fields (
in light grey
), and (
2
) the development and widespread implementation of “Geographic
Management Systems” for real-time operations management by many governmental, business,
and nongovernmental organizations (
in medium grey
)
At this early stage, RTI GPS/GIS provided mobile real-time generation of high-
accuracy three-dimensional location (x, y, z coordinates), precise time, data on
features and attributes via manual or automated electronic instrumentation input,
and the real-time integration and interaction of these data within GIS or other spatial
databases. While GPS was the preferred source of location, other supplemental
methods such as dead reckoning, cellular signal, and laser rangefinders were
also included in the invention and its early embodiments. Data from the GIS
could be accessed in the field, and interactively created, updated, used, or acted
upon in real-time. GIS vector maps, raster maps, and remotely sensed imagery
could be manipulated and displayed as active or passive maps, and as foreground
or background maps. Complex interactive data management, user interface, and
QA/QC functions were developed to create tightly fused spatiotemporal data in real
time and to interact and integrate that data continuously and in real time with GISs
and other spatial databases. Special external data source (“XDS”) software modules
also were developed to enable the automated input of data from multiple electronic
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