Use Case 11: Spatial Search

Use Case EIE11: Spatial Search for Data

Earth Information Exchange

Version 1.0 draft

Prepared by John Kozimor

NGDC

Nov. 11, 2006

Revision History

Name

Date

Reason For Changes

Version

John Kozimor

11/18/2006

Initial Draft

1.0

1.Use Case Identification

1.1.Use Case Number

EIE11

1.2.Use Case Name

Spatial Search for Data

2.Use Case Definition

This use case describes the spatial search capabilities within the GOS framework.

2.1.Actors

• 1.Portal User

2.2.Preconditions

• 1.User has browser access to GOS

2.3.Post Conditions

• 1.Geographic searches yield accurate, timely results

2.4.Normal Flow

Users have the option to manually define a search extent with map controls, or to use the Find Tool to specify the search criteria. Below is a list of searches available through the My Geography Search Portlet within GOS.

• 1.Define extent by drawing a bounding box or zooming to location
• 2.Find a Place (City)
• 3.Find an Address
• 4.Find a Township
• 5.Find a BLM District
• 6.Find a Forest Service Region
• 7.Find a Latitude/Longitude

To define a search extent with map controls users will apply the following steps.

• 1.Select the search tab from the GOS homepage
• 2.Draw the desired spatial extent in the My Geography – Define Spatial Search Area Map, or zoom to desired extent.

To use the Find Tool to specify the search criteria user will apply the following steps.

• 1.Select the search tab from the GOS homepage.
• 2.Click the Find Link within the My Geography – Define Spatial Search Area.
• 3.Select search type from the list of Find Search Options.
• 4.Execute Search by clicking the Find Button.

2.5.Alternative Flows

• 1.Users have the option to refines searches by adding temporal, parametric, and free text search criteria to the spatial search.
• 2.A Spatial Frame option exists within the Advanced Search Options. The Spatial Frame option enables users to define if the spatial extent of the metadata record can partially overlap the spatial search area or if the metadata record extent must fall completely inside the spatial search area.

2.6.Exceptions

• 1.Registered GOS users have the option to bookmark spatial searches for future use. Non registered users do not have this option.
• 2.If the find tool returns multiple results the user has the option to select the appropriate result.
• 3.If the find tool returns no matching results, a message will appear requesting the user to supply different information.

2.7.Extension Points

• 1. Temporal Search for Data
• 2. Parametric Search for Data
• 3. Free Text Search for Data

2.8.Priority

High

2.9.Frequency of Use

1 to 5 Times per user session

2.12.Assumptions

The Spatial Search Use Case is drafted from the GOS perspective.