The present invention relates to a system for controlling geographic information systems (GIS), and relevant operation method.

More specifically, the invention relates to an interface and control system that can process cartographic information from one or more geographic information systems and can combine them with those of other geographic information systems, in order to obtain a more complete informative data.

As it is well known, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) are informatics systems comprising software that can offer analyses services of a whole territorial context. Said services can, among the others, relate to: - 2D and 3D visualization of geographic maps of the vectorial type, raster, DTM (Digital Terrain Model), satellitar images, ecc;

- creation of thematic maps for example based on evolutive mathematical models, representation of symbolic maps (histograms and diagrams);

- managing of relational databases, by which GIS can, for example, carry out selections of geographic information to associate further information to points which are of particular interest. Integration of information from GIS is an essential instrument for supporting decisions in different terrestrial and naval, civil and aerial applications, ecc. Therefore, operators require always more sophisticated performances in the digital cartographic field in view of advantages that these systems provide to command, control and surveillance apparatuses, being it also a support to the decision. Thus, there is the needing of new instruments for analyses and processing of geographic type information.

In order to satisfy this needing, different systems are presently known that can interface with GIS. For example, US patent n ⁰ 6,107,961 concerns a map visualization system comprising a plurality of geographic information servers and a server for searching geographic information, connected each other and to client terminals by a connection network. Search server is suitable to search geographic information within said geographic information servers, so as to generate a list of heterogeneous information relevant to a geographic area.

By the above system, terminal client user can obtain a plurality of information arriving from geographic information servers and to display them juxtaposed.

In fact, the system also permits acquiring and juxtaposing cartographic information or maps from different geographic information servers (such as a GIS), but does not permit other data processing. Further, said system does not integrate information acquired in real time from moving objects.

US patent application n° 2001/0026271 concerns a system and a process for handling maps with different informative contents and realized on different coordinate systems. The system mainly comprises a display unit that can have two different maps, a processing unit connected with said display unit, a storage section connected with said processing unit and an interaction device coupled with said processing unit.

System processes coordinate data of a plurality of maps and displays them by a display device. However, it does not permit real time acquisition of data of moving objects and thus their visualization. Furthermore, as well known, GIS have different processing functions and this system does not permit access to said functions as well as their combination. CN patent n ⁰ 1489084 only describes interposition of a middleware between a platform providing a service layer and a layer comprised of GISs that can deliver geographic information.

International Patent Application WO 01/73690 A2 concerns a system and a process for georeferencing digital maps by association of specific points of a raster map (in the GIS field, term raster is used to employ a type of data employed for the digital cartographic representation.

By raster data, territory is reproduced by a pixel matrix having a square or rectangular shape. An attribute is associated to each pixel, defining features of the element represented by another raster or vectorial map. Thus, a user can display said juxtaposed/combined maps at the same time on a monitor). Particularly, the system permits georeferencing a raster map by knowledge of correspondence of at least two points. Therefore, the system can integrate geographic/cartographic data which are distinct under a technical point of view.

As it can be observed, known technical solutions comprise processing or combination systems of cartographic and geographic data from databases (GIS and like) in order to permit displaying maps.

However, the above systems do not permit asking, processing and providing data provided by more elaborated functions which are typical of modern systems adopting GIS. Moreover, known systems do not permit a real time visualization of moving objects by separation of map(geographic data processing sections and processing of information relevant to the moving object to be displayed and juxtaposed on the map.

To the above, it must be added that said systems cannot acquire information from one or more GIS and cannot process them to display the same in real time. Moreover, above systems are substantially realized according to specific needing (customized), and do not provide a simple and repeatable procedure, for example for adding a further GIS to the system. In view of the above, it is object of the present invention that of suggesting a system that can activate functions of a plurality of GIS to outer software applications, by managing and processing procedures of the received commands, thus realizing an interface for commercial and

Open Source GIS products.

A further object of the present invention is that of interfacing at the same time a plurality of GIS and representing their functions, thus realizing a type of abstraction, i.e. a generalization with respect to the available functions.

A further object of the present invention is realization of GIS

"transparency" with respect to the application, i.e. applicative program is not obliged to know which GIS is (are) really available. It is further object of the present invention that of taking into consideration managing of GIS(s) as a service that can be used by the applicative program making command, control and surveillance functions, and supporting the decision. Thus, it is managing of GIS(s) that conforms to the applicative program and not vice versa. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a system for controlling a plurality of geographic information systems or GIS, that can carry out functions for analyses services of a territorial context, comprising one or more peripheral communication modules that can be interfaced with user interface means; and a central processing module connected with one or more communication peripheral modules and with said geographic information systems; characterized in that said one or more peripheral communication modules comprise each one a library module, wherein a plurality of main commands are stored and can be selected, for activation of functions that can be carried out by said geographic information systems, said library module being suitable to deliver said main commands for selection of said functions and receiving results of carrying out said required functions to said central processing module; and in that said central processing module comprises a plurality of interface sub-units, each one connected and interfaced with a relevant geographic information system and suitable to transform said main commands into specific commands to be transmitted to the relevant geographical information system for activation and execution of said required functions and to receive data processed by relevant geographic information system; and processing means, suitable to co-ordinate execution of said main commands routing them to said interface sub-units and processing and transmitting to said one or more peripheral communication modules said processed data received from said interface sub-unit.

Always according to the invention, said central processing module can be suitable to carry out one or more further functions to analyze a territorial context, that can be selected by said processing means by one or more main commands.

Still according to the invention, said user interface means can permit selection of said one or more main commands of said library module.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said library module can comprise one or more protocols for communication with said central processing module.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said processing means can be suitable to receive one or more main commands arriving from the library module of each one of said communication peripheral modules, to transmit said processed data to said library module of each requester communication peripheral module, and to route said main commands to one or more interface sub-units with the geographic information systems; and in that each one of said interface sub-units is suitable to transform and process main commands received into at least a specific activation command of one or more functions, that can be carried out by the relevant geographic information system and said data arriving from the relevant geographic information system, in a format suitable to processing by said processing means, and transmitting said at least a specific command to the relevant geographic information system.

Always according to the invention, said processing means are suitable to integrate data arriving from two or more geographic information systems.

Still according to the invention, said functions for analyzes services of a territorial context comprise at least a function selected from the group comprising the following type of functions: 2D and 3D map presentation, map visualization, algorithm processing, relational database managing, user interaction services (HCI - Human-computer interaction), hypertexts managing, device managing, managing of connection networks, utility such as format importation and exportation, graphic functions.

Advantageously said one or more peripheral communication modules can be suitable to process in real time data received from library module, so as to integrate them with further outer data, such as position data of an object, an airplane, a ship or like.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said peripheral communication modules can each one comprise said library module, and said central processing module is installed on at least a processor.

Always according to the invention, said at least one communication peripheral module, including said library module, is installed on at least one processor, and said central processing module is installed on at least another processor. It is further object of the present invention, a method for controlling a plurality of geographic information systems or GIS, permitting carrying out functions for analyses services of a territorial context, comprising the steps of:

(i) receiving one or more main commands for activation of functions that can be carried out by one or more of said geographic information systems transmitted by said at least one communication peripheral module; (ii) routing said main commands to one of said interface sub- units;

(iii) converting all or part of said main commands by said interface sub-units into one or more specific command suitable to be read and processed by one or more of said activated geographic information systems;

(iv) transmitting said one or more specific commands to the relevant activated geographic information systems;

(v) receiving data deriving from activation of said one or more functions from said one or more geographic information systems;

(vi) converting, by said interface sub-units, said data arriving from said one or more activated geographic information systems into a further format; and (vii) transmitting said converted data to said at least requester communication peripheral module.

Still according to the invention, conversion step (vi) can then comprise the following step:

- integrating data arriving from two or more geographic information systems.

Always according to the invention, said steps (iii) - (vi) can be carried out at the same time for different geographic information systems.

Advantageously, according to the invention, routing in said step (ii) occurs in a single of said interface sub-units, and are carried out one or more iterations of steps (iii) - (vi).

Furthermore, according to the invention, said method can carry out one or more further functions.

Still according to the invention, said functions for services of analyses of a territorial contest can comprise at least a function selected from the group comprising the following typo of functions: 2D and 3D map presentation, map visualization, algorithm processing, relational database managing, user interaction services (HCI - Human-computer interaction), hypertexts managing, device managing, managing of connection networks, utility such as format importation and exportation, graphic functions. The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 shows a block diagram of the system for controlling geographic information systems according to the present invention; figure 2A shows a flow diagram of the control conversion and data acquisition process for a single geographic information system; figure 2B shows a diagram of the execution times of the steps of the process steps of figure 2A; figure 3A shows a flow diagram of a first control conversion and data acquisition process for a couple of geographic information systems; figure 3B shows a diagram of the execution times of the steps of the process steps of figure 3A; figure 4A shows a flow diagram of a second control conversion and data acquisition process for a couple of geographic information systems; figure 4B shows a diagram of the execution times of the steps of the process steps of figure 4A; figure 5A shows a flow diagram of a third control conversion and data acquisition process for a couple of geographic information systems; and figure 5B shows a diagram of the execution times of the steps of the process steps of figure 5A.

Similar parts will be indicated in the different figures by the same reference numbers.

Making reference to figure 1 , it is possible observing a block diagram of a system 1 comprising functional modules for controlling geographic information systems (GIS) 2, that, in this embodiment are two and are indicated by reference numbers 2' and 2". System 1 comprises a central processing module 3 connected with said geographic information systems 2' and 2" by interface sub-units 3 ¹ and 3".

Said central processing module 3 also comprises processing means 3a for controlling said interface sub-units 3' and 3". Furthermore, it implements some functions of typical services of geographic information systems (internal features). Central processing module 3 is also connected in this embodiment to a pair of communication peripheral modules 4' and 4".

Each communication peripheral module 4' and 4" is interfaced with user interface means, respectively 5' and 5", and accede to a library module 6, which is the same for all modules, wherein all the functions accessible by central processing module 3 are stored, as well as an interface protocol for managing data transmission and reception to/from said central processing module 3.

System 1 has been designed and developed in order to facilitate functions of geographic informative systems 2 into the command, control and surveillance programs.

In other words, said processing means 3a receive one or more main commands from said communication peripheral module 4' and 4", generated by user selection of functions from library modules 6, that can be carried out by geographic informative systems 2.

It must be taken into consideration that main commands can be set commands (setting commands), or query commands (acquisition commands).

Then, central processing module 3 converts, by said interface sub-units 3' and 3", said main commands into specific commands for each geographic informative system 2' or 2". Said interface sub-units 3' or 3" structure and organize in real time transmission of said specific commands to said geographic informative systems 2' or 2" and process data received to transmit them to said one or more communication peripheral modules 4. Said processing means 3a also have the function of processing said data received in order to transmit them to said one or more communication peripheral module 4.

Moreover, main commands can be not transformed into specific commands which are carried out, or they can be carried out in different times on the basis of the condition of the machine and of the features of the geographic information system (GIS).

User can, by said communication peripheral module 4, use said data, for example integrating them with other data arriving from other sources. This second integration is carried out by said communication peripheral modules 4. Central processing module 3 instead carries out first integration of GIS data according to a "transparent" mode with respect to the communication peripheral modules 4. In fact, the user does not know which geographic information system 2 is used to process the required functions.

Moreover, it is well known from an analysis of features of different more diffused commercial and open source outer geographic information systems 2. Central processing module 3, as well as communication peripheral modules 4 and library module 6 are, at a functional level, software application that can be installed into one or more processors. By a communication peripheral module, for example the one indicated by reference number 4', the user can select both functions of the geographic information system 2' and 2", and functions implemented in central processing module 3, by library module 6. Module 4' cannot choose between available GIS 2 and 2', and functions implemented into processing central module 3. Addressing of requests to GIS 2 and GIS 2', or to further functions, is managed in a transparent mode by central processing module 3.

Therefore, for example in the civil use, it is possible integrating wished graphic-geographic information transmitted from central processing module 3 with information concerning the position of an airplane received in real time from communication peripheral modules 4', by which they are then processed.

System 1 is an open system, i.e. it can interface with every kind of open geographic information system 2, so as to have a high flexibility. For this reason, central processing module 3 has been designed on the basis of logics which are independent from every specific geographic information system 2.

It is possible adding or replacing connection into system 1 to one or more geographic information system 2 without modifying code to select functions of library module 6 (in case it is possible adding new ones by connection of further geographic information systems 2 just updating the function list), but only re-configuring central processing module 3. This is possible since central processing module 3 is independent with respect to communication peripheral modules to which it is connected, thanks to the fact that library 6 functions are independent with respect to employed

GISs. System 1 permits selecting and using a high number of functions, main groups of which are indicated in the following:

• 2D or 3D map presentation;

• Algorithms; • Managing of Relational databases;

• "HCI" services (Human-Computer-Interaction)

• Managing of Hypertexts;

• Managing of devices;

• Networking managing; • Utility;

• Basis graphic.

For example, 2D and 3D Map Presentation functions permit graphically representing maps.

2D visualization is managed according to generated methods defining drawing area (e.g. a window, a bitmap, a file or a buffer) in order to create the view at the level of interface means for a user 5 and a series of functions acting on the same. These functions permit modifying said view and setting a geographic projection and a geodetic datum, loading or unloading maps, setting a geo-positioning by the client, setting scale, off- centre, rotation values, taking information directly from the view, i.e. maps loaded on view, and obviously drawing loaded maps on the same view.

3D presentation permits visualization of tri-dimensional geographic scenarios. Said scenarios can contain, in addition to the DTM layer (Digital Terrain Model), which is the reference layer for a tri- dimensional visualization of terrain, some additional layers, among which a raster layer (e.g. for satellitar images or aerial views), a 2D vectorial layer, a 3D vectorial layer, a volumetric pixel layer (voxel), a synthetic- dynamic layer (to be considered as an additional layer).

3D visualization function for example permits setting animations, acquiring DTM data, setting simple commands.

"Algorithm" type functions comprise different type of algorithms, e.g.:

• algorithms based on terrain digital model (DTM algorithms) • topological vectorial algorithms;

• geodetic algorithms. Relational Database managing permit managing tables, carrying out select commands and generally carrying out SQL commands. Particularly, it is possible also managing indirect information, such as hypertexts, tables and maps associated with a record. HCI (Human-Computer-Interaction) service type functions permit managing windows by the central processing module 3. Said windows can be visualization windows, and particularly:

• 2D window (having a 2D rendering geometry, and particularly scale, off-centre, rotation); • 3D window (having a 3D rendering geometry);

• generic window (not having a rendering geometry, thus not subjected to change of scale, off-centre, rotation);

• database type window (visualization as a table) Said windows can be also indicated as input/output masks. Hypertext managing functions permit managing hypertext and multimedia information associated with the geographic data. Said information can be texts, hypertexts, images, movies, audio files.

Functions of device Managing are suitable to manage devices such as GPS (Global Positioning System), cameras and like. Networking Managing function carry out Internet connections to

Map servers or remote geographic information systems 2 in order to share scenarios or making LAN connections with other systems.

Utility functions for example manage importation or exportation of map formats, rectification of satellitar images, projection conversion or datum. In other words, they permit managing functions that in many contexts can be considered off-line.

Finally, basic graphic functions are suitable, among other things, to manage histograms and graphs, making telematic maps, and overlay layers. The above functions can also be correlated each other. For example, request of an algorithm (i.e. of the algorithm output data) is not per se correlated with other groups of functions. However, if the request also provides visualization of algorithm, also HCI service will be involved. Furthermore, if algorithm exit can be visualized as a map, and its visualization is required, system 1 recalls the functions 2D presentation functions. Said correlations are managed by the central processing module 3. Central processing module 3 acts as a configurator, i.e. it is able defining geographic informative systems 2 to be interfaced.

It is also possible configuring and selecting either single function groups and, if necessary, even the single function. Particularly, processing systems 3a permit defining which geographic information systems 2 connected with processing central module 3 must be used to carry out the single function group.

For example, it is possible associating a set number of geographic information systems 2 with a group of 3D presentation function group, another one with the function group of the algorithm type, and so on.

Furthermore, it is possible associating one or more Relational

Database Management System (RDBMS) with the Relational Database function group. Central processing module 3 considers RDBMS as a geographic information system 2, carrying out only Relational Database functions.

Therefore, central processing module 3 can define one or more RDBMS independently from those that generally are used inside the geographic information systems 2. Possibly, central processing module 3 could be also used as RDBMS gesture.

Finally, as to the visualization of the geographic information, central processing module 3, by processing means 3, is able controlling territorial information, visualization window and design process.

As already said, said communication peripheral modules 4', 4", comprising each one said library module 6, and said central processing module 3 are software installed on a single processor. Possibly, said at least one communication peripheral module 4, comprising said library module 6, can be installed on at least one processor, and said processing central module 3 can be installed on at least another one processor. Figures 2A - 5A and corresponding figures 2B- 5B show flow diagrams of a series of possible conversion processes of main commands arriving from said communication peripheral modules 4' and 4", and data acquisition, with the relevant diagrams showing times when different steps occur. Particularly, the following cases are shown: - figures 2A and 2B - central processing module 3 interfacing a single geographic information system 2; - figures 3A and 3B - central processing module 3 interfacing a plurality of different geographic information system 2, for managing the same group of functions;

- figures 4A and 4B - central processing module 3 interfacing a plurality of different geographic information system 2, for managing the different group of functions, correlated each other;

- figures 5A and 5B - central processing module 3 interfacing a plurality of different geographic information system 2, for managing different group of functions, not correlated each other.

Particularly, block diagram of figure 2 has the following steps: (a) receiving one main command from a library module 6of a communication peripheral module 4; (b) routing (step b') said main command to the interface sub- unit 3', 3" or 3"' of the geographic information system 2 chosen by criteria processed by said processing means 3a;

(c) converting said main command by said interface sub-unit 3" into at least a specific command for the geographic information systems 2 connected with the sub-unit 3";

(d) transmitting said at least a specific command to said geographic information systems 2 connected with said interface sub-unit 3";

(e) reading data transmitted from the geographic information system 2

(f) converting, by said interface sub-unit 3", data arriving from said geographic information system 2 into a format suitable to be processed by said processing means 3a; and

(g) transmitting information or the whole data to the library module 6 of said communication peripheral module 4.

Therefore, central processing module 3, after acquisition of command from a communication periphery module 4, routes it to one of the interface sub-units 3', 3" or 3"', in this case sub-unit 3", translating said command into a concatenation of one or more commands to the geographic information system 2, according to syntax, logic and mode required by the same. Then, downward the processing by the geographic information system 2, interface sub-unit 3" receives return data and translates the same into a format suitable to be read by said processing means 3a.

In the second case, more geographic information systems 2 exist for the same group of functions. In this case, main command is routed toward all the interface sub-units involved and different results are integrated each other, before being brought again to a format suitable to be read by said processing means 3a.

In fact, analysing figures 3A and 3B, it is observed that: in step (b) a command is parallel routed to two interface sub-units 3' and 3"; steps (c), (d) and (e), i.e. conversion, transmission and reading, are carried out in parallel for both the two selected geographic information systems 2; after conversion step (f) it is provided step (h) wherein data arriving from the two geographic information systems 2 are integrated.

In the third case, (figures 4A and 4B) their is shown a plurality of geographic information systems 2 associated with groups of functions correlated each other (i.e. algorithm functions and 2D map presentation functions).

In this case, exit of a first geographic information system 2 is brought back to the inlet of a second geographic information system 2. More specifically, flow diagram shows that: in step (b), main command is again routed to a first geographic information system 2; it is provided a first sequence of steps (c1), (d1) and (e1), and then said processing means 3a, going back to step (b), routes data exiting from the first geographic information system 2. Finally, after execution of steps (c2), (d2) and (e2), said processing means 3a go to step (T).

Figures 5A and 5B show interface of a plurality of geographic information systems 2 for groups of functions not correlated each other. In this case, processing within the central processing module 3 proceed on channels which are separated at a logic level. Flow diagram shows that: in step (a), two not correlated distinct and separated commands "Command 1" and "Command 2" are received; in step (b), said processing means 3a routes "Command 1" toward interface sub-unit 3' and "Command 2" toward interface sub-unit 3"; at the same time, data conversion (c1), transmission (d1) and reading (e1) steps are carried out by interface sub-unit

3' and by the relevant geographic information system 2, and conversion (c2), transmission (d2) and reading (e2) steps carried out from interface sub-units 3" and from the relevant geographic information system 2; - then, and independently from each one of the two geographic information systems involved, steps (f1) and (f2) respectively of conversion steps, and in a corresponding way, final data transmission steps (g1) and (g2), are carried out. An advantage of the present invention is that functions of different GIS connected with the system are managed as services that, time by time, are invocated from system at a high abstraction level.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.