Using the fuzzy object model for geographical information systems

Geographical information systems (GISs) are being used in many new ways besides traditional cartography. Object-oriented technology provides both complex modeling capabilities for domain knowledge and distributed computing for interoperability between multiple GIS. An object data model for GIS, however, by itself is incomplete since geographical information often may be vague and imprecise. The integration of the two technologies of fuzzy set theory and the object data model into the fuzzy object model can serve as a knowledge representation tool for meeting the evolving needs of GISs. This paper describes the fuzzy object model using GIS examples and examines various semantics of uncertainty within the supertype/subtype hierarchy and alternatives for defining a fuzzy inheritance scheme for GIS objects.