Data semantics play an extremely significant role in spatial data infrastructures by providing semantic specifications to geospatial data and enabling in this way data sharing and interoperability. By applying, on the fly, composite geospatial processes on the above data it is possible to produce valuable geoinformation over the web directly available and applicable to a wide range of geo-activities of significant importance for the research and industry community. Cloud computing may enable geospatial processing since it refers to, among other things, efficient computing resources providing on demand processing services. In this context, we attempt to provide a design and architectural framework for web applications based on open geospatial standards. Our approach includes, in addition to geospatial processing, data acquisition services that are essential especially when dealing with satellite images and applications in the area of remote sensing and similar fields. As a result, by putting in a common framework all data and geoprocesses available in the Cloud, it is possible to combine the appropriate services in order to produce a solution for a specific need

“Interaction” represents a critical term in the augmented and mixed reality ecosystem. Today, in mixed reality environments and applications, interaction occupies the joint space between any combination of humans, physical environment, and computers. Although interaction methods and techniques have been extensively examined in recent decades in the field of human-computer interaction, they still should be reidentified in the context of immersive realities. The latest technological advancements in sensors, processing power and technologies, including the internet of things and the 5G GSM network, led to innovative and advanced input methods and enforced computer environmental perception. For example, ubiquitous sensors under a high-speed GSM network may enhance mobile users’ interactions with physical or virtual objects. As technological advancements emerge, researchers create umbrella terms to define their work, such as multimodal, tangible, and collaborative interactions. However, although they serve their purpose, various naming trends overlap in terminology, diverge in definitions, and lack modality and conceptual framework classifications. This paper presents a modality-based interaction-oriented diagram for researchers to position their work and defines taxonomy ground rules to expand and adjust this diagram when novel interaction approaches emerge.

Architectural survey is an evolving field in architecture that has been affected during the past decade by the technological advancements in the field of 3D data acquisition. Some of these technological advancements include long-range laser scanning and photogrammetry. Laser scanning gives us an accurate documentation of the site, even in cases where parts of the building have collapsed. This paper aims to present two case studies of digital documentation through laser scanning and photogrammetry that led to the structural reinforcement and preservation of the first site and to a digital reconstruction and a mixed reality platform for the second site. The first site is an Ottoman Soap factory in Lod, Israel and the second one is an Ottoman Bathhouse in Apollonia, Greece. Both sites dealt with challenges during documentation due to a partial collapse of the building or due to dangerous structural conditions. The digital documentation methodologies allowed for a fast, accurate and comprehensive survey, as well as for a good understanding of the building and the areas which were concealed as a result of the collapse. At the same time, the digital documentation model gave the potential for the cultural heritage (CH) site to become part of the social, economic and cultural local community.

Since smart devices are becoming the primary technological means for daily human activities related to user-location, location-based services constitute a crucial component of the related smart applications. Meanwhile, traditional geospatial tools such as geographic information systems (GIS) in conjunction with photogrammetric techniques and 3D visualization frameworks can achieve immersive virtual reality over custom virtual geospatial worlds. In such environments, 3D scenes with virtual beings and monuments with the assistance of storytelling techniques may reconstruct historical sites and “revive” historical events. Boosting of Internet and wireless network speeds and mixed reality (MR) capabilities generate great opportunities for the development of location-based smart applications with cultural heritage content. This paper presents the MR authoring tool of “Mergin’ Mode” project, aimed at monument demonstration through the merging of the real with the virtual, assisted by geoinformatics technologies. The project does not aim at simply producing an MR solution, but more importantly, an open source platform that relies on location-based data and services, exploiting geospatial functionalities. In the long term, it aspires to contribute to the development of open cultural data repositories and the incorporation of cultural data in location-based services and smart guides, to enable the web of open cultural data, thereby adding extra value to the existing cultural-tourism ecosystem.

This paper explores the diverse array of digital tools utilized for data acquisition in archaeology. This abstract outlines the various categories of digital tools commonly employed, including geographic information systems (GISs), global positioning systems (GPSs), remote sensing technologies, 3D scanning and photogrammetry, drones and aerial photography, as well as mobile applications and digital recording systems. Each category is elucidated with examples of their application in archaeological research, emphasizing their roles in site mapping, spatial data collection, artefact documentation, and landscape analysis. Furthermore, it discusses the advancements, challenges, and best practices associated with the integration of digital tools into archaeological fieldwork. It also highlights the potential for future developments in digital technologies to enhance data acquisition capabilities further, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of human history and cultural heritage.