A framework for characterizing spatio-temporal data models

This paper proposes a framework for analyzing and comparing spatio-temporal data models. It focuses on data modeling concepts. The three dimensions of spatio-temporal models, structure, space, and time are described: concepts that are - or should be - supported are defined. The similarity between space and time concepts is emphasized, as well as the importance of orthogonality among the three dimensions. Any structural construct may be spatial and/or temporal, thus allowing to naturally describe moving and deforming objects as well as spatio-temporal continuous fields.