Abstract. Analysis of global geographic phenomena requires non-planar models. In the past, models for topological relations have focused either on a twodimensional or a three-dimensional space. When applied to the surface of a sphere, however, neither of the two models suffices. For the two-dimensional planar case, the eight binary topological relations between spatial regions are well known from the 9-intersection model. This paper systematically develops the binary topological relations that can be realized on the surface of a sphere. Between two regions on the sphere there are three binary relations that cannot be realized in the plane. These relations complete the conceptual neighborhood graph of the eight planar topological relations in a regular fashion, providing evidence for a regularity of the underlying mathematical model. The analysis of the algebraic compositions of spherical topological relations indicates that spherical topological reasoning often provides fewer ambiguities than planar topological reasoning. Finally, a comparison with the relations that can be realized for one-dimensional, ordered cycles draws parallels to the spherical topological relations. 1

This report provides a detailed description of the TPTP Problem Library for automated theorem proving systems. The library is available via Internet, and forms a common basis for development of and experimentation with automated theorem provers. This report provides: ffl the motivations for building the library; ffl a discussion of the inadequacies of previous problem collections, and how these have been resolved in the TPTP; ffl a description of the library structure, including overview information; ffl descriptions of supplementary utility programs; ffl guidelines for obtaining and using the library; Contents 1 Introduction 2 1.1 Previous Problem Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.2 What is Required? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 Inside the TPTP 6 2.1 The TPTP Domain Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

This paper offers a synthetic overview of, and original contributions to, the use of logics and formal methods in the analysis of hybrid systems

Abstract. The problem of partitioning a polyhedron into aminimum number of convex pieces is known to be NP-hard. We establish here a quadratic lower bound on the complexity of this problem, and we describe an algorithm that produces a number of convex parts within a constant factor of optimal in the worst case. The algorithm is linear in the size of the polyhedron and cubic in the number of reflex angles. Since in most applications areas, the former quantity greatly exceeds the latter, the algorithm is viable in practice. Key words. Computational geometry, convex decompositions, data structures, lower bounds, polyhedra 1. Introduction. The

In this paper, we show that the universal covering space of a surface can be used to unify previous results on computing paths in a simple polygon. We optimize a given path among obstacles in the plane under the Euclidean and link metrics and under polygonal convex distance functions. Besides revealing connections between the minimum paths under these three distance functions, the framework provided by the universal cover leads to simplified linear-time algorithms for shortest path trees, for minimum-link paths in simple polygons, and for paths restricted to c given orientations. 1 Introduction If a wire, a pipe, or a robot must traverse a path among obstacles in the plane, then one might ask what is the best route to take. For the wire, perhaps the shortest distance is best; for the pipe, perhaps the fewest straight-line segments. For the robot, either might be best depending on the relative costs of turning and moving. In this paper, we find shortest paths and shortest closed curve...

We study several variations on one basic approach to the task of simplifying a plane polygon or subdivision: Fatten the given object and construct an approximation inside the fattened region. We investigate fattening by convolving the segments or vertices with disks and attempt to approximate objects with the minimum number of line segments, or with near the minimum, by using efficient greedy algorithms. We give some variants that have linear or O(n log n) algorithms approximating polygonal chains of n segments. We also show that approximating subdivisions and approximating with chains with no self-intersections are NP-hard.

This thesis establishes a connection between the Helly theorems, a collection of results from combinatorial geometry, and the class of problems whichwe call Generalized Linear Programming, or GLP, which can be solved by combinatorial linear programming algorithms like the simplex method. We use these results to explore the class GLP and show new applications to geometric optimization, and also to prove Helly theorems. In general, a GLP is a set...

We study potential games with continuous player sets, a class of games characterized by an externality symmetry condition arising naturally in models of network congestion. We offer a simple description of equilibria which are locally stable under a broad class of evolutionary dynamics, and prove that behavior converges to equilibrium from all initial conditions. We propose a subclass of potential games in which evolution leads to efficient play. Finally, we show that the games studied here are the limits of convergent sequences of the finite player potential games studied by Monderer and Shapley (1996).

Canonical models are very useful for determining simple representation formalism for qualitative relations. Allen's interval relations, e.g., can thereby be represented using the start and the end point of the intervals. Such a simple representation was not possible for regions of higher dimension as used by the Region Connection Calculus. In this paper we present a canonical model which allows regions and relations between them to be represented as points of the topological space and information about their neighbourhoods. With this formalism we are able to prove that whenever a set of RCC-8 formulas is consistent there exists a realization in any dimension, even when the regions are constrained to be (sets of) polytopes. For three- and higher dimensional space this is also true for internally connected regions. Using the canonical model we give algorithms for generating consistent scenarios. 1 Introduction The Region Connection Calculus (RCC) is a topological approach t...

It is well known that a convolutional code can be viewed as a linear system over a finite field. In this paper we develop this viewpoint for convolutional codes using several recent innovations from the systems theory literature. In particular we define codes as behaviors of a set of compact support time trajectories over a vector space. We also consider several different representations of codes, in particular generalized first order representations. As an application of these ideas, we present a BCH construction technique for convolutional codes that yields optimal high rate codes.