Concept(ual) Modelling vs Information Modelling

Rolf Wohed, PhD Sweden SIS/Hifab

Modelling today
Widely used for business and information analysis, technical design et c. Long experience (over 20 years) of using distinct modelling levels Used in development of national standards (both in GI and elsewhere)
Facilities, Road and rail networks, Surface water systems , healthcare, telecom,
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Use of Concept Modelling

Analysis and acquisition technique Definition of a common language Basis for precise formulation of goals, rules, policies, processes and so on Basis for definition of spatial (math.) concepts Basis for design of application schemas Explanation of application schemas when applying standards Basis for dictionaries in application areas
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Why meaning ?

Term Concept

ISO definition unit of thought model that defines the concepts of a universe of discourse

Conceptual Model

Semantic vs. information perspective

Semantic perspective
Lake + located at [1..1]: Location + described by [1..1]: Surface

Information perspective
Lake + name [0..*]: String + depicted by [1..1]: GM_Surface

Distinguishing characteristics

Information requirements
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Ogden s triangle Concept

A Unit of Thought

gives rise to

is used to communicate about

A cat

Cat
is intended to refer to

A symbol

Real World Occurrence

Term

Context provides meaning

Ideas
Different Units of Thought Differing interpretations

gives rise to

is used to communicate about

A cat

Cat
is intended to refer to

A Symbol

Real World Occurrence

Term
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Eugen Wster:
A Term is semantically defined by its underlying concept. A Concept is defined by its relationships with other concepts. Relationships are also concepts.

Concept Modelling
Define the purpose of the model Distinguishing characteristics Define in terms of other concepts Bootstrap at peripheral concepts

Simple example
Concept
(including features)

Interpretation

Water table + soil type + depth Water table + building + dimensions Water table + avg distance from road + width

groundwater level

narrow shelf, ledge on a building

ditch

Red

<Use dictionary>
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Realistic example
Concept
located at
1..1

Inland location Fresh water: Location

1..1

Lake

content type
1..1

described by
{surface area > 1000 m2}1..1

Surface

has

has measured
{max(depth) > 1 m} 1..*

Depth
+ measure + date
0..*

By lake we mean something that has an inland location, contains fresh water, is described by a surface area of at least 1000 m2 and has a maximum measured depth of at least 1 m.
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Realistic example cont.

Informati on Concept model
defined in Lake + Name + MaxDepth depicted by
1..1 1..1

Type GM_Surface instance of Lake surface

For a lake we want to handle name, maximum depth and its spatial approximation.
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Dynamic properties

Operation

service that can be requested f rom an object to eff ect behaviour operation that every instance of a feature type may perf orm

Feature Operation

Dam +Raise() +Lower()

Dam +level: Meter +Capacity: Cubic meter

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Contact info
Rolf Wohed (rolf.wohed@hifab.se) Torbjrn Cederholm (torbjorn.cederholm@sis.se) SIS, Swedish Standards Institute 118 80 Stockholm, Sweden

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