SensorML OGC 12-000
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4.19. Observation Procedure
Method, algorithm or instrument, or system of these which may be used in making an observation [ISODIS 19156, definition 4.11]
Note: In the context of the sensor web, an observation procedure is often composed of one or more sensors that transform a real world phenomenon into digital information, plus additional
processing steps.
4.20. Observed Value
A value describing a natural phenomenon, which may use one of a variety of scales including nominal, ordinal, ratio and interval. The term is used regardless of whether the value is due to an
instrumental observation, a subjective assignment or some other method of estimation or assignment.
[OM]
4.21. Orientation
The rotational relationship of an object relative to an external coordinate system. Typically expressed by relating the rotation of an object’s local coordinate axes relative to those axes of an
external reference coordinate system.
4.22. Phenomenon
A physical state that can be observed and its properties measured.
4.23. Physical System
An aggregate model of a group or array of process components, which can include detectors, actuators, or sub-systems. A Physical System relates an Aggregate Process to the real world
and therefore provides additional definitions regarding relative positions of its components and communication interfaces.
4.24. Position
The location and orientation of an object relative to an external coordinate system. For body- based systems in lieu of point-based systems is typically expressed by relating the object’s local
coordinate system to an external reference coordinate system. This definition is in contrast to some definitions e.g. ISO 19107 which equate position to location.
4.25. Process
An operation that takes one or more inputs, and based on a set of parameters, and a methodology generates one or more outputs.
4.26. Process Method
Definition of the algorithm, behaviour, and interface of a Process.
4.27. Property Facet or attribute of an object referenced by a name
[ISODIS 19143:2010] Example : Abbys car has the color red, where color is a property of the car instance,
and “red” is the value of that property. 4.28. Reference Frame
A coordinate system by which the position location and orientation of an object can be referenced.
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4.29. Result
An estimate of the value of some property generated by a known procedure
[OM]
4.30. Sample
A representative subset of the physical entity on which an observation is made.
4.31. Sensor
An entity capable of observing a phenomenon and returning an observed value. Type of observation procedure that provides the estimated value of an observed property at its output.
Note: A sensor uses a combination of physical, chemical or biological means in order to estimate the underlying observed property. At the end of the measuring chain electronic devices often
produce signals to be processed.
4.32. Sensor Model
