FACULTY OF MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

NAME : ALLEN THABANI MOYO

Reg Number : R174505M

ASSIGNMENT no. :2

MODULE and MODULE CODE : DATA BASE HMINE 321

LECTURER : MR R Gumbo
Question 1: Identify and discuss the major challenges in spatiotemporal data base. [10marks]

 Design and development of robust spatiotemporal representation and data structures is the
fundamental issue for spatiotemporal data handling, analysis and mining. It is because spatial
and temporal relationships like distance, topology, direction, before and after are information
bearing. They need to be considered in spatiotemporal data analysis and mining.
 According to Jiawei (2003), one challenge is that spatial and temporal relationships are
implicitly defined. They are not explicitly encoded in a database. These relationships must be
extracted from data. There is a trade-off between preprocessing them before the actual mining
process starts and computing them on-the fly as and when they are actually needed.
 Scale effect in space and time is a challenging issue in spatiotemporal data analysis and mining.
Scale in terms of spatial resolution or temporal granularity can have a direct impact on the kind
and strength of spatiotemporal relationships that can be discovered in datasets.
 The unique characteristic of spatiotemporal datasets is a challenge. This is because it requires
significant modification of data mining techniques so that they can exploit the rich spatial and
temporal relationships and patterns embedded in the datasets (Taher and Maryvonne; 2005).
 Another challenge is that the attributes of neighboring patterns may have significant influence
on a pattern and should be considered. For example, spatiotemporal event like hurricane will
have influence on traffic jam pattern (Bruno.etal; 2011).
 Many rules of qualitative reasoning on spatial and temporal data provide a valuable source of
domain independent knowledge that should be taken into account when generating patterns.
The challenge comes on how to express rules and how to integrate them with spatiotemporal
reasoning mechanism which is an issue.
 Changbin (2011) highlights that visualization of spatiotemporal patterns and phenomena,
scalability of data mining methods, data structures for representing and efficiently indexing
spatiotemporal datasets are also challenging issues.
 Development of efficient techniques for visualization of spatiotemporal knowledge and
interaction facilities for gaining an insight of underlying phenomena represented by the
knowledge is another challenge. This requires the results of spatiotemporal data mining are to
 be embedded within a process that interprets the results for further properly structured
investigation into reasons behind the results.
Question2 Describe the differences between the following approaches for the integration of a
data mining system with a database or data warehouse system: no coupling, loose coupling,
semi-tight coupling, and tight coupling. State which approach you think is the most popular,
and why. [10]
DW: Data Warehouse DB: Data Base DM: Data Mining

No Coupling Loose coupling Semi-Tight coupling Tight coupling

It means a DM DM system will use Besides linking a DM DM system is
system will not some facilities of a system to a DB/DW smoothly integrated
utilize any function DB or DW system system, efficient into the DB/DW
of a DB/DW system implementations of a system (Bruno.etal;
few data mining 2011).
primitives can be
provided in the
DB/DW
Data may be fetched Data fetched from a Data mining Data mining queries
from a particular data repository primitives in the and functions are
source such as a file managed by the DB/DW include: optimized based on
system (Bitner; DB/DW system sorting, indexing, mining query
2000). aggregation, analysis and query
histogram, analysis processing methods
and some essential of DB/DW system.
statistical measures.

Most popular: Semi-tight coupling

Reason : This is because it possess both features of loss coupling and tight coupling
which is advantageous
3. Identify any 2 database modelling software that are suitable for your department in the
mining environment and highlight its features/functions, advantages and also the weakness of
the modelling software in your organization. [15]
Two modelling softwares: SimMine and AutoMod
SimMine Software
Definition SimMine is a discrete event simulation software that uses a full graphical
interface and does not require coding.
Features  Mine oriented
 Logic and behaviour of different entities is already built into the
software and can be controlled through their properties.
 To incorporate the randomness/variance in the processes the software
tool utilizes statistical distributions and uses a point-and click
interactive spreadsheet for entering the data
 Has an interactive 3D layout which allows the user to point-and-click
and set properties directly from the 3D layout but also to visually
inspect and analyze the sequence of development in the animation of
the development process.
Advantages Disadvantages
Modeling  It is easy to use Experimentation  Does not allows
environment facilities
automatic batch run
User support  It has User manuals Model  Operating system is
documentation
not independent
and structure
Financial and  It is easy to install Verification and  It does not provide a
technical validation tests
trace file
features
 AutoMod Software
Definition It is a software that consists of a material movement system with built-in and
simulation environment (Rohrer, 1997).
Feature  Manufacturing oriented software.
 There is a possibility to modify various parameters via AutoMod syntax or
directly in the movement system such as speed, turning speed, acceleration
or deceleration (Banks, 2004; Yuriy and Runciman, 2013)
 In addition to the AutoMod syntax, the software includes built in templates:
vehicle path mover system, conveyors, automated storage and retrieval
system, bridge cranes, power and free conveyors and kinematic (robotic)
systems.
 Performance reports with statistics and 3-D animation are created
automatically, providing a realistic and statistically accurate view of the
system, helping to verify and validate the models.
Advantages Disadvantages
Experimentation  Allows automatic Modeling • It is not easy to use
facilities environment
batch run

Model  It has model chaining Statistical  It does not have a

documentation facilities
goodness of fit test
and structure
Verification and  Trace file is provided User support  It does not have file
validation tests
conversion
References
Banks J., Getting started with AutoMod, Bountiful, UT: Brooks-PRI Automation, 2004.

Bitner T, (2000) “Rough sets in Spatiotemporal data mining”, Proceedings of International

workshop on Temporal, Spatial and Spatiotemporal Data Mining, Lyon, France.

Bruno De C. Leal et.al, (2011) “ From Conceptual Modeling to Logical Representation of

Trajectories in SGBDOR and DW Systems”, Journal of Information and Data Management,
Vol 2, No 3.
Changbin Wu, (2011) “Detecting Spatio-Temporal Topological relationships between
boundary lines of parcel”, International Conference on Remote sensing, Environment and
Transportation Engineering, Nanjing.

Jiawei Han, (2003) “Mining Spatiotemporal Knowledge: Methodologies and Research

Issues“,A position paper, KDV workshop.

Taher Omran & Maryvonne, (2005) “Multidimensional Structures Dedicated to Continuous

Spatiotemporal Phenomena”, BNCOD 2005, LNCS 3567, pp 29-40.

Yuriy, G., and Vayenas, N., (March 2008). Discrete event simulation of mine equipment
systems combined with reliability assessment model based on genetic algorithms. International
Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 22(1), pp. 70-83.