Case Study: Temporal and Spatial-Temporal Analysis
While working with imagery analysts, we noted that tools available for temporal analysis were insufficient for many tasks. A search of available tools revealed a Simile Timeline widget from MIT, an open source timeline tool that is tied into an XML web presentation interface. Our staff introduced the timeline to analysts performing temporal analysis and found a high-level of interest, although several shortcomings were noted: the ability to add and manage data was limited, and there was no connection to spatial information. In response, Observera developed a concept prototype called Continuum™ that enables users, even those with no background in web applications, to perform spatial-temporal analysis and reporting. Continuum™ integrated the Google Maps™ API for 2D image rendering and map overlays, the Simile Timeline widget, a word cloud widget, and a database backend into a full SOA web application. The tool allows analysts to easily add and update spatial-temporal data from spreadsheets – their preferred data source – or databases, and to use the data for analyzing event chronologies, imagery coverage gap analysis, production monitoring, and detection of cross-event correlations. In this case, an innovative mash-up of open source web apps, innovative Java programming, and database integration was an efficient and effective solution.