Spheres of Influence — Geospatial and News Data Integration with a Camera-Tracking Interface

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Students

Joriz DeGuzman, Computer Science
Karl Grossner, Geography
Emily Moxley, Elec & Comp Engineering
Matt Peterson, Psychology
Alex Villacorta, Statistics
Jonathan Ventura, Computer Science
Anne-Marie Hansen, Art

Faculty Advisors

Marko Peljhan, Media Arts & Tech
George Legrady, Media Arts & Tech

B.S. Manjunath, Elec & Comp Engineering
Michael Goodchild, Geography

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Abstract

The 2006 version of the Spheres of Influence (SOI) is a progression and expansion of the existing platform. The project's core lies in the gathering of global news stories combined with an interactive space, located inside the eastern entrance of the Davidson Library, where users can navigate their way through these stories along several possible paths (such as story location, report location, time-course, etc.). News is normally offered as a unidimensional relay of facts; however, these reports may miss other important dynamics. The SOI setup allows for a more in-depth analysis of the news, including following the progress of a story, both semantic (content) and geographic, as it evolves over time. In order to guide users through this environment, the SOI space incorporates motion-detecting cameras to track users as they move between the four large screens displaying the story information (in text, still image and video form). Accompanying such diverse usability comes an equally diverse set of research queries. Current work includes: statistical analysis of semantic content such as semantic clustering; graphical representation of news flow over time and space; high-precision, robust object-tracking and gesture recognition; robust image and video analysis; temporal applications in Geographic Information Systems; human motor and visual issues associated with large visual displays and interactive spaces. To increase accessibility, we will also work toward an integrated web-based design.