C H O R O C H R O N O S a Network for Spatiotemporal Database Systems a Component-based Conceptual Model for Spatiotemporal Design Chorochronos: Tmr Research Network Project, No Erbfmrxct960056 a Component-based Conceptual Model for Spatiotemporal Applications Design

Conceptual data modeling for complex applications, such as multimedia and spatiotemporal applications, often results in large, complicated and difficult-to-comprehend diagrams. One reason for this is that these diagrams frequently involve repetition of autonomous, semantically meaningful parts that capture similar situations and characteristics. By recognizing such parts and treating them as units, it is possible to simplify the diagrams, as well as the conceptual modeling process. We propose to capture autonomous and semantically meaningful excerpts of diagrams that occur frequently as modeling patterns. Specifically, the paper concerns modeling patterns for conceptual design of spatiotemporal databases. Based on requirements drawn from real applications, it presents a set of modeling patterns that capture spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal aspects. To facilitate the conceptual design process, these patterns are abbreviated by corresponding spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal pattern abstractions, termed components. The result is more elegant and less-detailed diagrams that are easier to comprehend, but yet semantically rich. The Entity-Relationship model serves as the context for this study. An extensive example from a real cadastral application illustrates the benefits of using a component-based conceptual model.