Advances in Multimedia Mapping

The growing number of multimedia geospatial data sources is changing the mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) fields. Conventional vector data sources, space and/or airborne images of the surface of the Earth, aerial and terrestrial laser data and models, 360 panoramic views, and mobile mapping images are examples of the diverse nature of multimedia data sources. Multimedia maps are a combination of integrated vector and raster data sources and technologies, such as digital drafting, panoramic views, audio, virtual reality, and laser models, which display an area of the surface of the Earth from different perspectives. This paper describes the current status of the multimedia mapping system in development at The Ohio State University Center for Mapping. The theoretical concepts behind the system are described as well as the components of the system and the experiences gained in the development of the prototype are discussed.