Two phase query processing with fuzzy approximations

In this paper we will present a new form of approximation, for the use within the management of geographical information, as well as several optimizations not previously possible. Minimum bounding boxes, used as an approximation of complex spatial objects, is a popular approach for managing these objects. The rough approximation by bounding boxes offers a fast but inaccurate filter for the set of answers to a query. In order to speed up the query processing by a better approximation quality, we store the accuracy of the approximation as well as the approximation itself.