Visualizing the results of interactive queries for geographic data on mobile devices

Abstract

The capabilities of current mobile computing devices such
\nas PDAs and mobile phones are making it possible to
\ndesign and develop mobile GIS applications that provide
\nusers with geographic data management and cartographic
\npresentations in the field. However, research on how
\nto properly support users who interact with geographic
\ndata on mobile devices is still lacking. In this paper,
\nwe present an approach to geographic data analysis that
\nallows users to exploit interactive dynamic queries as a
\ntechnique for filtering geographic information. Moreover,
\nthe proposed approach displays the results of queries
\nthrough visualizations that are aimed at facing the screen
\nestate problem typical of mobile devices. We will show
\nhow this approach can be applied to different domains by
\nillustrating two examples of its application: (i) a decision
\nsupport tool that allows tourists to search for points of
\ninterest (e.g., hotels, restaurants,...) that best satisfy
\ntheir preferences and (ii) a tool allowing users to retrieve
\ninformation about soil properties in a geographic area to
\nmeet a number of user’s constraints.