Relation Variables in Qualitative Spatial Reasoning

TL;DR

This paper proposes an alternative relation-variable approach to qualitative spatial reasoning that simplifies integration and implementation by reducing QSR algorithms to generalized arc-consistency enforcement.

Contribution

The paper introduces a relation-variable framework for QSR, offering a simpler and more unified method compared to traditional constraint-based models.

Findings

Relation-variable approach simplifies QSR algorithms

Reduces QSR to generalized arc-consistency enforcement

Enhances integration and implementation of QSR systems

Abstract

We study an alternative to the prevailing approach to modelling qualitative spatial reasoning (QSR) problems as constraint satisfaction problems. In the standard approach, a relation between objects is a constraint whereas in the alternative approach it is a variable. The relation-variable approach greatly simplifies integration and implementation of QSR. To substantiate this point, we discuss several QSR algorithms from the literature which in the relation-variable approach reduce to the customary constraint propagation algorithm enforcing generalised arc-consistency.