Environmental reference systems for large-scale spaces

Human navigation in well-known environments is guided by stored memory representations of spatial information. In three experiments (N = 43) we investigated the role of different spatial reference systems when accessing information about familiar objects at different locations in the city in which the participants lived. Our results indicate that two independent reference systems underly the retrieval of spatial knowledge. Environmental characteristics, e.g., the streets at an intersection, determine which headings are easier to imagine at a given location and lead to differences in accessibility of spatial information (orientation-specific behavior). In addition, access to spatial information depends on the relative direction of a location with respect to the imagined heading, such that information about locations imagined in front of oneself is easier to access than about locations towards the back. This influence of an egocentric reference system was found for environmental knowledge as well as map-based knowledge. In light of these reference system effects, position-dependent models of spatial memory for large-scale environments are discussed. To account for the simultaneous effect of an environmental and an egocentric reference system, we present a 2-level model of spatial memory access.     

When gestures show us the way: Co-thought gestures selectively facilitate navigation and spatial memory

How does gesturing during route learning relate to subsequent spatial performance? We examined the relationship between gestures produced spontaneously while studying route directions and spatial representations of the navigated environment. Participants studied route directions, then navigated those routes from memory in a virtual environment, and finally had their memory of the environment assessed. We found that, for navigators with low spatial perspective-taking performance on the Spatial Orientation Test, more gesturing from a survey perspective predicted more accurate memory following navigation. Thus, co-thought gestures accompanying route learning relate to performance selectively, depending on the gesturers’ spatial ability and the perspective of their gestures. Survey gestures may help some individuals visualize an overall route that they can retain in memory.     

多飞行器协调航迹规划方法

针对多飞行器的协调航迹规划展开研究，提出了一种基于协同进化的多飞行器协调航迹规划算法。在该算法中，不同飞行器的潜在航迹形成它们自己的子种群，并在于种群内部进化。不同飞行器间的协调关系由航迹的评价函数来实现。同时，通过使用特定的染色体表示方法和进化算子，该算法可以有效利用各种环境信息，处理各种航迹约束，并实时地生成三维航迹。     

Variable Granularity in Route Directions

Abstract

This paper addresses changes of spatial granularity in route directions in relation to information needs in multimodal traveling. We outline a model of variability in granularity and apply this model to empirical data. Results reveal that linguistic route directions produced by humans as well as automatically generated web-based services provide the most crucial route elements in hierarchically structured ways that reflect the salient structure imposed by multimodal traveling. However, although the web-based information is impressively comprehensive, human route directions exhibit more flexibility regarding switches of place-related granularity, and they provide more detailed information at complex locations or decision points.     

Wayfinding Through Orientation

Dominant approaches in computer-assisted wayfinding support adhere to the deeply problematic principles of turn-by-turn navigation. In this article, we suggest a new approach called “Wayfinding Through Orientation,” which supports the acquisition of spatial knowledge and cognitive mapping for advancing the user’s spatial orientation. Being oriented on one’s way is a prerequisite to enabling people to verify instructions and to incorporate new spatial information into their existing knowledge structure. In three studies described in this article we first present empirical evidence that people can be supported in survey knowledge acquisition through suitable wayfinding instructions. Consequently, we explore orientation information in human wayfinding instructions. Finally, we outline how orientation information can be communicated within a prototypically implemented navigation assistance system.     

Contributing Factors to Temporal and Spatial Associations in Mental Representations of Maps

Abstract

The present work explores an interactive model of spatial and temporal information in map memory. In four experiments, participants learned a map with temporal and spatial information confounded or unconfounded. Attentional and representational levels of information were made apparent through tasks that tap spatial, temporal, or other information. Learning criteria emphasizing sequential order or location imposed differential weighting of the information types in memory. Results indicate that map memory is spatial, but also interacts with the order in which map locations are encountered. Findings show flexibility in allocating attention and information indexing of location and sequential order information in map learning.     

基于分层策略的三维航迹快速规划方法

快速航迹规划能力是任务规划系统追求的目标之一。提出了一种基于分层策略的三维航迹快速规划方法。该方法分为两个层次：全局规划和局部规划。全局规划在综合利用战场信息的基础上,利用遗传算法规划出最优或次优的引导点集,该引导点列所在的区域为最优连通域,并且在该连通域内能找到可行航迹,全局规划利用引导点列大致指明了最优航迹的走向;局部规划根据全局规划提供的引导信息和战场信息,利用SAS(Sparse A Search)算法快速规划出满足攻击角度约束的平面可行航迹,高度规划采用速度较快的几何规划方法。仿真实验表明,该方法比SAS规划方法要快,且生成的三维航迹近似最优。     

基于进化计算的无人飞行器多航迹规划

针对飞行器多航迹规划问题展开研究。在分析多峰值函数优化问题的基础上，提出了一种基于进化计算的飞行器多航迹规划方法。该方法通过使用特定的染色体表示方法和进化算子，可以有效利用各种环境信息，处理各种航迹约束。同时，通过引入聚类算法，将种群中的个体按其空间分布进行聚类，生成若干个不同子种群。在进化过程中，所有个体只在各自的子种群内部进化。当进化结束时，每个子种群将分别生成一条各自的最优航迹，从而为飞行器生成多条不同的可选航迹。仿真结果表明了该方法的有效性。     

Spatial memory exclusivity: Examining performance of multiple object-location memories

Research on location memory suggests that integration of separate sources of information does not occur when recalling the position of a common target object. In a relatively simple task, previous research shows no observable benefit from holding two spatial memories compared to one. It has been suggested that exclusively utilizing only one of two memories may account for this finding. The current research tests the robustness of this idea as well as an alternative in the form of an averaging approach to combining spatial information. The results suggest that exclusivity may not be the best account for performance of multiple object-location memories. Rather, memories may well combine in a manner similar to averaging, where information is available for each memory but combined in a nonbeneficial way.     

The Influence of Landmarks and Pre-exposure to a Structural Map During the Process of Spatial Knowledge Acquisition: A Study with Children and Adults in a Virtual Environment

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of featural information (landmarks) and geometric information (pre-exposure to a structural map) and their possible interaction during the process of spatial knowledge acquisition of 8- and 11-year-old children and adults in a virtual environment. The study confirmed the well-known result of a developmental achievement in spatial cognition from childhood to adulthood. Although landmarks and the pre-exposure to a structural map did not affect the time to learn a specific route, they influenced the use of behavior in spatial learning and eased the acquisition of spatial knowledge measured by a route reversal and map-drawing tasks. Children and adults are able to integrate featural and geometric information in the spatial knowledge acquisition process in an environmental space, but their integration depends on the spatial processing stages that are investigated. Moreover, it was successfully demonstrated that the use of desktop virtual environments seems to be appropriate to investigate the development of spatial cognition.     

Guidance of a spacecraft with low lift-to-drag ratio to a landing point

The problem of terminal control over a deorbiting spacecraft at the stage of its flight after leaving plasma (altitude of ∼40 km) is considered, the aim being to guide it to a preset landing point. The algorithm is based on a modification of the well-known method of proportional navigation, when a fixed point is the target. It is suggested to use satellite navigation systems (of the GLONASS or GPS types) and/or radio beacons, which should allow one to determine the spacecraft trajectory parameters with high precision. Single-channel control is performed by changing the roll angle according to current parameters of the trajectory, which ensures adaptability of the method. Examples of three-dimensional trajectories of flight are presented for a manned spacecraft with low lift-to-drag ratio (∼0.5), currently under design in Russia. The results of statistical modeling taking into account initial deviations of the trajectory parameters and wind disturbances are presented. A method of statistical choice of a reference trajectory for the guidance stage is suggested. A theoretical possibility of using the algorithm of spacecraft guidance (in case of in-light accident with a carrier launcher) to preset regions in the vicinity of launching route is demonstrated. A qualitative analysis of proportional navigation with a fixed target is presented.     

Categorical Bias in Line Angle Judgments: Sex Differences and the Use of Multiple Categories

According to the Category Adjustment (CA) model, spatial estimates (e.g., of location) involve Bayesian combination across multiple, hierarchical pieces information, each weighted by its relative certainty. Recent work, though, has shown that men and women differ in terms of their certainty regarding fine-grained and categorical information in location memory. Here we demonstrate that this reflects a more general sex difference in visuospatial processing by examining bias patterns in a line angle judgment task (JLAP-15). In addition, the data suggest that multiple, hierarchical levels of categorical information influenced spatial judgments. These results imply that the hierarchical combination outlined by the CA model extends beyond two levels, and that men and women apply differential weighting to these representations.     

Seeing the Forest or the Trees? Shifting Categorical Effects in Map Memory

People use spatial and nonspatial information to structure memory for an environment. Two experiments explored interactions between spatial and social categories on map memory when mediated by retrieval (Experiment 1) and encoding (Experiment 2) demands. Participants studied a map depicting business locations (including proprietors' race). In Experiment 1, participants completed two memory tasks, one globally focused and the other locally focused. The global task compressed, while the local task expanded, within-category similarity. Furthermore, processing styles carried over to the subsequent task. Experiment 2 emphasized either the spatial or social category during encoding, which increased that category's weighting in memory. These results extend the work of Maddox, Rapp, Brion, and Taylor, suggesting that retrieval and encoding demands can shift how these categories affect spatial memory.     

Impact of Regionalization and Detour on Ad-hoc Path Choice

Abstract

Regionalization has been found to impact human route planning, both when the planning is based on a previously learned environment encoded in memory and when maps are used. This paper presents an experiment in a virtual desktop environment and examines how the length of the path in the start region or goal region impacts ad-hoc route choice, i.e., in situations where the decision is made right after perceiving the decision situation. More specifically, this research aims at quantifying the trade-off value between short travel distances and leaving the start as well as reaching the goal region quicker, respectively.     

多传感器组合导航系统分层融合算法

从信息融合角度来看，目前在组合导航系统中广泛应用的联合滤波算法居于两级式分布式融合结构。而分层融合结构作为多传感器信息融合的另一种重要的模式，在组合导航系统中应用尚未见报道。本文研究了多传感器组合导航系统的分层融合算法，重点与联合滤波算法进行了比较。以定理的形式证明了在一定条件下分层融合算法与联合滤波算法的等价性问题。进而提出了分层融合算法的部分反馈模式。仿真结果表明，部分反馈模式的有序分层融合算法可有效地应用于多传感器组合导航系统。在相同的容错能力和计算复杂性下，可以得到优于联合滤波的导航信息融合结果。     

飞行器低空突防中的威胁航线优化技术研究

低空突防中的威胁回避技术是TF／TA^2系统的核心，直接关系到低空突防飞行器的任务生存能力。针对威胁回避的特殊要求，本文提出了一种基于地形可视性分析的威胁危险指标快速计算方法，解决了威胁的量化问题。针对在大范围任务区域内进行威胁航线优化存在计算复杂性和收敛性等问题，本文尝试采用遗传算法对威胁进行优化处理。该方法得到的威胁航线，严格经过出发点和目标点，且尽量远离威胁，有效提高了飞行器低空突防的任务生存率。     

一种三维航迹快速搜索方法

本文提出了基于SAS的自动三维航迹规划方法。该方法通过把约束条件结合到搜索算法中去，有效地减小了搜索空间，缩短了搜索时间，从而使三维规划能够用于实时航迹规划。在搜索过程中地形信息得到了充分利用，使算法生成的航迹能够自动回避地形和威胁。实验证明，该方法能够快速有效地完成规划任务，获得满意的三维航迹。