Modelling Dynamic Spatial Systems in the Situation Calculus

Abstract

We propose and systematically formalise a dynamical spatial systems approach for the modelling of changing spatial environments. The formalisation adheres to the semantics of the situation calculus and includes a systematic account of key aspects that are necessary to realize a domain-independent qualitative spatial theory that may be utilised across diverse application domains. The spatial theory is primarily derivable from the all-pervasive generic notion of “qualitative spatial calculi” that are representative of differing aspects of space. In addition, the theory also includes aspects, both ontological and phenomenal in nature, that are considered inherent in dynamic spatial systems. Foundational to the formalisation is a causal theory that adheres to the representational and computational semantics of the situation calculus. This foundational theory provides the necessary (general) mechanism required to represent and reason about changing spatial environments and also includes an account of the key fundamental epistemological issues concerning the frame and the ramification problems that arise whilst modelling change within such domains. The main advantage of the proposed approach is that based on the structure and semantics of the proposed framework, fundamental reasoning tasks such as projection and explanation directly follow. Within the specialised spatial reasoning domain, these translate to spatial planning/re-configuration, causal explanation and spatial simulation. Our approach is based on the hypothesis that alternate formalisations of existing qualitative spatial calculi using high-level tools such as the situation calculus are essential for their utilisation in diverse application domains such as intelligent systems, cognitive robotics and event-based GIS.     

Learning to Reach to Locations Encoded from Imaging Displays

We examined the use of hand gestures while people solved spatial reasoning problem in which they had to infer motion from static diagrams (mental animation problems). In Experiment 1, participants were asked to think aloud while solving mental animation problems. They gestured on more than 90% of problems, and most gestures expressed information about the component motions that was not stated in words. Two further experiments examined whether the gestures functioned in the mechanical inference process, or whether they merely served functions of expressing or communicating the results of this process. In these experiments, we examined the effects of instructions to think aloud, restricting participants' hand motions, and secondary tasks on mental animation performance. Although participants who were instructed to think aloud gestured more than control groups, some gestures occurred even in control conditions. A concurrent spatial tapping task impaired performance on mechanical reasoning, whereas a simple tapping task and restricting hand motions did not. These results indicate that gestures are a natural way of expressing the results of mental animation processes and suggest that spatial working memory and premotor representations are involved in mental animation. They provide no direct evidence that gestures are functional in the thought process itself, but do not rule out a role for overt gestures in this type of spatial thinking.     

Localization,Exploration, and Navigation Based on Qualitative Angle Information

Abstract

Three of the major problems in building autonomous mobile robots are localization, exploration, and navigation. This paper investigates how well different qualitative methods based on angle information, most of them originally invented for representation of spatial knowledge, are suited for addressing these problems. It combines results from discrete and computational geometry with methods from qualitative spatial reasoning, gaining some new insights on the complexity of robot navigation. It turns out that essentially only with panoramas (special roundviews) the qualitative localization problem can be solved in a satisfactory manner. The exploration problem (qualitative map building), remains difficult for all considered approaches.     

An alternative strategy process for planning government space programs

This paper presents some thoughts and a methodical approach to the strategic planning of large government projects that takes into account the dynamic development of global problems. Given that an overarching strategic intent is in place and budgetary resources are limited, the methods described herein allow its user to generate and evaluate a set of project proposals according to their individual problem solving potential. In a final step, one is able to select those proposals that are preferable for further planning. Rather than generating detailed programs that are hard to implement in a dynamic environment, the method described herein is only modeling the priorities of different project alternatives. This is less detailed as the plans that result from a classic strategic planning approach, yet is highly usable as a roadmap for implementation. The most important advantage of this approach is its suitability for a dynamic planning with inherent learning cycles that can easily be adapted to dynamic changes in the planning environment. Since change is a well-known phenomenon in space program planning, a paradigm shift towards more flexible and adaptable ways of planning seems to be required.     

基于贝叶斯优化的无人机路径规划算法

提出了一种基于贝叶斯优化算法的无人机路径规划方法。把无人机路径编码为离散时间上的速度和航向变化序列，每一步的速度和航向变化量都限制在无人机相应最大变化量之内，所以这种编码方法对应的物理轨迹是无人机可飞的。利用每代种群中的优良解集构造贝叶斯网络，用贝叶斯网络的结构体现染色体基因位之间的联系，用贝叶斯网络参数体现染色体基因位之间的联系程度。设计了一个多变量K2度量评价网络的优劣。用贝叶斯网络产生新的染色体以体现种群的进化，这取代了传统遗传算法的交叉和变异过程。如果不满足终止条件，则用新一代种群的优良解集构造贝叶斯网络，直到满足终止条件。仿真结果验证了算法的有效性。     

最优双冲量交会问题的数学建模与数值求解

基于普适变量法研究了两个共面轨道的最优双冲量交会问题。具体地,基于求解Lambert问题的普适变量法,在将给定时间段划分初始飘移阶段、轨 道转移阶段与终端停泊阶段的前提下,对两圆轨道及两拱线相同的椭圆轨道的最优双冲量交 会问题分别进行了优化数学建模,并利用数学软件Lingo进行了数值求解。数值结果表明,划分给定时间段可以得到更优解。
     

Transformations and representations supporting spatial perspective taking

Spatial perspective taking is the ability to reason about spatial relations relative to another’s viewpoint. Here, we propose a mechanistic hypothesis that relates mental representations of one’s viewpoint to the transformations used for spatial perspective taking. We test this hypothesis using a novel behavioral paradigm that assays patterns of response time and variation in those patterns across people. The results support the hypothesis that people maintain a schematic representation of the space around their body, update that representation to take another’s perspective, and thereby to reason about the space around their body. This is a powerful computational mechanism that can support imitation, coordination of behavior, and observational learning.     

The Space within Fisherman's Folly: Playing with a Puzzle in Mereotopology

Abstract

In this paper we propose a spatial ontology for reasoning about holes, rigid objects and a string, taking a classical puzzle as a motivating example. In this ontology the domain is composed of spatial regions whereby a theory about holes is defined over a mereotopological basis. Within this theory we define a data structure, named chain, that facilitates a clear and efficient representation of the puzzle states and its solution.     

Expert Algorithmic and Imagistic Problem Solving Strategies in Advanced Chemistry

Abstract

Visualization and imagistic reasoning appear central to expert practice in science; however, expert use of these strategies on authentic tasks has not been examined in detail. This study documents how science experts use both algorithms and imagistic reasoning to solve problems. Using protocol analysis, we report expert chemists' preferential use of algorithms for solving spatial problems and imagistic reasoning for deducing spatial transformations. We observed experts employ algorithms to solve the majority of spatial tasks while reserving imagistic strategies to solve a class of tasks that required translating between representations. Strategy used varied widely among experts and tasks.     

三角平动点附近高阶解在轨道位置保持中的应用

首先给出三角平动点附近的高阶解析解,并计算了三种特殊的运动类型。以日–地+月系三角平动点附近无长周期运动分量的拟周期轨道作为目标轨道,探讨轨道保持问题。针对三角平动点任务的轨道保持问题,我们研究了两种轨道保持策略,分别为多点打靶轨道保持与重构目标轨道的策略。计算中,将轨道控制问题转化为非线性规划问题,并以优化方法求解。仿真表明优化方法在轨道保持问题求解方面非常有效。     

相位干涉仪参差基线解模糊算法研究

针对多基线相位干涉仪测向时存在的相位模糊问题,分析相位差变化值的相位模糊特点,提出一种利用相位干涉仪基线间的参差距离对相位差进行解模糊的方法,讨论正确解模糊的条件、范围以及波达角估计精度与入射角之间的关系,并给出了仿真结果。     

Spatial approaches to moons from resonance relative to invariant manifolds

In this study, the final approach to a moon or other body from resonance is explored and compared to the invariant manifolds of unstable periodic orbits. It is shown that the stable manifolds of planar Lyapunov orbits can act as a guide for the periods or resonances that are required for the final approach in both the planar and spatial problems. Previously developed techniques for the planar problem are expanded for use with resonances and used for comparison with trajectories approaching a moon from these resonances. A similar technique is then used for exploring the relationship of invariant manifolds to approach trajectories in the spatial problem. It is shown that the invariant manifolds of unstable periodic orbits provide insight into the trajectory design, and they can be used as a guide to the more direct approach trajectories.     

从地球到日-火系平动点轨道的转移

平动点轨道特殊的空间位置及动力学特征,使其在深空探测中具有重要的应用。以日-火系平动点轨道(Lissajous与Halo轨道)任务为目标,结合平动点轨道的不变流形理论,研究了小推力转移问题。首先给出了圆型限制性三体动力学模型下平动点附近不变流形(稳定和不稳定流形)高阶分析解以及相应的计算实例。接着以流形分析解为基础,建立了初始小推力轨道优化模型,并利用改进的协作进化算法求解初始小推力轨道。最后将初始轨道离散,采用多点打靶法将最优控制问题转化为参数优化问题,并用序列二次规划方法(SQP)求解。仿真结果证明轨道设计方法的有效性。     

Six-impulse maneuvers for rendezvous of spacecraft in near-circular noncoplanar orbits

The problem of a rendezvous of two spacecraft in close near-circular noncoplanar orbits is considered. The angles of applying velocity impulses and their orientation are determined from necessary conditions of optimality derived using the basis vector theory. For non-degenerate six-impulse solutions the analytical formulas are found that approximate the dependence of moments of applying velocity impulses and angles determining their orientation on the rendezvous duration. The total characteristic velocity of six-impulse solutions (or five-impulse solutions derived from them) is compared to the total characteristic velocity obtained when solving the Lambert problem.     

稀疏拟谱最优控制法求解Goddard火箭问题

提出了一种新的基于直接转化法的求解基于常微分方程(ODE)和微分代数方程(DAE)的最优控制问题的数值方法.该方法通过Legendre-Gauss拟谱法同时离散化状态变量和控制变量,把最优控制问题转化为一个非线性规划问题,并利用改进的多相处理方法避免优化无控段,同时基于稀疏矩阵探索其一阶导数信息.数值结果表明,与传统的直接转换法相比,该方法是一种通用高效的精度较高的ODE/DAE最优控制直接数值求解法.最后,从工程观点出发,应用该方法成功求解了终端自由有路径约束的奇异最优控制问题Goddard火箭问题.     

Combining Locations from Working Memory and Long-Term Memory into a Common Spatial Image

Abstract

This research uses a novel integration paradigm to investigate whether target locations read in from long-term memory (LTM) differ from perceptually encoded inputs in spatial working-memory (SWM) with respect to systematic spatial error and/or noise, and whether SWM can simultaneously encompass both of these sources. Our results provide evidence for a composite representation of space in SWM derived from both perception and LTM, albeit with a loss in spatial precision of locations retrieved from LTM. More generally, the data support the concept of a spatial image in working memory and extend its potential sources to representations retrieved from LTM.     

Space,Language and Ontology: A Response to Davis

Abstract

Ernest Davis' article “Qualititative Spatial Reasoning in Interpreting Text and Narrative” discusses challenges that the interpretation of natural language appears to raise for the formalization of commonsense spatial reasoning. Davis finds these to be of “surprising logical complexity,” but also “erratic” in that they do not show a logical structuring of the problem space that could guide productive research. In this response I argue that much of the apparent lack of structure Davis laments is due to the very style of formal modeling he pursues. By augmenting logical considerations with substantial input from other disciplines and by adopting a heterogeneous and modular approach to formalization, I suggest that the problem space is by no means as ill-structured as Davis presents it.