Context Awareness and Modeling in Self-adaptive Geo-information Visualization

Self-adaptive system is an effective method to improve its usability to adapt to different individuals, user groups, surroundings and techniques. In the field of self-adaptive geo-information visualization (SAGVis), self-adaptive contexts mean various devices, different surroundings and individual requirements, etc. Context theory is a theoretic foundation for SAGVis, legible context awareness and analysis are the foundation of adaptation modeling, so this article brings forward new contexts categorization in SAGVis, and illuminates the detail elements of all kinds of contexts. Self-adaptation is achieved through user interface and visualization content which are both discussed in this article. Adaptive context models include: 1) task model, 2) user model, 3) domain model, 4) system model, 5) adaptive rule model. Both of the generic modeling and modeling are discussed, and the complementary of adaptability and adaptivity is suggested to be made full use of in SAGVis to satisfy users’ requirements effectively.