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dr-shorthair merged 10 commits into from
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Minor clarifications - observation #486

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Minor clarifications - observation
dr-shorthair Aug 30, 2026
79887d6
sub-class --> subclass etc
dr-shorthair Sep 1, 2026
a80f041
indefinite article
dr-shorthair Sep 1, 2026
dbe4190
Update ssn/chapters/Observation.html
dr-shorthair Sep 2, 2026
3050df6
Update ssn/chapters/Observation.html
dr-shorthair Sep 2, 2026
505f6c5
Update ssn/rdf/ontology/core/sosa-observation.ttl
dr-shorthair Sep 2, 2026
8b23285
pronoun --> demonstrative noun
dr-shorthair Sep 3, 2026
cf6334c
Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/minor-edits-observation' into mi…
dr-shorthair Sep 3, 2026
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missed one
dr-shorthair Sep 3, 2026
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Merge branch 'gh-pages' into minor-edits-observation
dr-shorthair Sep 9, 2026
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55 changes: 28 additions & 27 deletions ssn/chapters/Observation.html
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Expand Up @@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ <h4>Overview</h4>
Classes and relationships involved in Observation.
<br>
The result of an observation should be an information item of a type appropriate for the
observed-property (e.g., a number, quantity, category, image, vector, array, geometry etc.).
observed property (e.g., a number, quantity, category, image, vector, array, geometry etc.).
<br>
<em><a href="#Class-diagram">Explanation of the notation used in class diagrams</a></em>.
</figcaption>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:Observation</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm sosa" id="SOSAObservationCollection">
<section class="specterm sosa" id="SOSAObservationCollection">
<h5><dfn>sosa:ObservationCollection</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/ObservationCollection
Expand All @@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:ObservationCollection</dfn></h5>
[[vocab-dcat-3]].
</p>
<p>
All <a href="#SOSAObservation">Observation</a> properties may appear in an
All <a href="#SOSAObservation">Observation</a> properties may appear in a
<a>sosa:ObservationCollection</a>, including:
<a>sosa:hasFeatureOfInterest</a>,
<a>sosa:hasUltimateFeatureOfInterest</a>,
Expand All @@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:ObservationCollection</dfn></h5>
<a>sosa:resultTime</a>,
<a>sosa:hasResult</a>,
<a>sosa:hasSimpleResult</a>.
If they are present, the value of these properties summarize the values of the matching properties of
If they are present, the values of these properties summarize the values of the matching properties of
the member observations, where membership is either direct or transitive through one or more member
observation collections.
</p>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -360,7 +360,8 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:Sensor</dfn></h5>
System that implements an ObservingProcedure to determine the value of an observable Property
</p>
<p>
This may be a device, a piece of infrastructure, an agent (including humans), or a software-based system, including systems performing simulations.
This may be a device, a piece of infrastructure, an agent (including humans), or a software-based system
(including systems performing simulations).
</p>
<p>
A <a href="#SOSASensor">Sensor</a> responds to a <a href="#SOSAStimulus">Stimulus</a>,
Expand All @@ -372,12 +373,12 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:Sensor</dfn></h5>
See <a href="#ModelLocation">Location and Geometry</a> for patterns to describe this.
</p>
<p class="note">
Specific sensor <em>types</em> may be implemented as <em>sub-classes</em>
of this class or its sub-classes.
Specific sensor <em>types</em> may be implemented as <em>subclasses</em>
of this class or its subclasses.
Their descriptions may capture the properties and characteristics of a whole class of sensors, corresponding
with the information typically found in a spec-sheet or data-sheet.
with the information typically found in a spec-sheet or datasheet.

@ldesousa ldesousa Aug 31, 2026

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This one I don't get. I suggested before "data sheet".

@TallTed TallTed Sep 2, 2026

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Google says correct hyphenation of "a spec-sheet or datasheet" for a formal technical document --

The correct forms are spec sheet and data sheet as two separate words without hyphens, or spec-sheet and data-sheet only when used as compound modifiers directly before a noun.

Suggested change
with the information typically found in a spec-sheet or datasheet.
with the information typically found in a spec sheet or data sheet.

@dr-shorthair dr-shorthair Sep 2, 2026

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Sorry guys, we are going round in circles here.
I asked the web and got

image

Since we are working in an engineering context, I chose 'datasheet'.

@TallTed TallTed Sep 3, 2026

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Fair enough. Inconsistency is the way of the English world. :-)

<br>
Individual sensor <em>instances</em> are <em>members</em> of this class or its sub-classes.
Individual sensor <em>instances</em> are <em>members</em> of this class or its subclasses.
<br>
See <a href="#ModelSystemType">Systems Types and Individuals</a> for patterns to describe this.
</p>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -446,7 +447,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:Stimulus</dfn></h5>
event in the real world that triggers a Sensor
</p>
<p>
The properties associated to the Stimulus may be different to the eventual observed Property.
The Properties associated with the Stimulus may differ from those eventually observed.
It is the event, not the object, that triggers the Sensor.
</p>
<dl>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -517,7 +518,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:detects</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSAhasProxy">
<section class="specterm sosa" id="SOSAhasProxy">
<h5><dfn>sosa:hasProxy</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/hasProxy
Expand All @@ -532,7 +533,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:hasProxy</dfn></h5>
<dl>
<dt>Examples</dt>
<dd>
For example, the expansion of mercury is a
The expansion of mercury is a
<a href="#SOSAStimulus">Stimulus</a> that serves as a
proxy for some temperature
<a href="#SOSAProperty">Property</a>.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -564,7 +565,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:hasProxy</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSAisDetectedBy">
<section class="specterm sosa" id="SOSAisDetectedBy">
<h5><dfn>sosa:isDetectedBy</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/isDetectedBy
Expand All @@ -574,7 +575,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:isDetectedBy</dfn></h5>
</p>
<p>
<em>is detected by</em> &mdash;
relation from a Stimulus to a Sensor that may detect it
relation from a Stimulus to a Sensor that may detect that Stimulus
</p>
<p>
The Stimulus itself will be serving as a proxy (<a>sosa:isProxyFor</a>) for some Property.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -618,7 +619,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:isObservedBy</dfn></h5>
</p>
<p>
<em>is observed by</em> &mdash;
relation from a Property to a Sensor that is able to observe it
relation from a Property to a Sensor that is able to observe that Property
</p>
<dl>
<dt>Domain Includes</dt>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -703,7 +704,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:madeBySensor</dfn></h5>
</p>
<p>
<em>made by Sensor</em> &mdash;
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the Sensor involved
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the Sensor which made that Observation or ObservationCollection
</p>
<dl>
<dt>Subproperty of</dt>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -777,7 +778,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:madeObservation</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSAobservationRelatedTo">
<section class="informative specterm sosa" id="SOSAobservationRelatedTo">
<h5><dfn>sosa:observationRelatedTo</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/observationRelatedTo
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -839,7 +840,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:observedProperty</dfn></h5>
</p>
<p>
<em>observed property</em> &mdash;
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the property observed
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the property observed in that Observation or ObservationCollection
</p>
<p class="note">
'observed property' covers the concepts referred to in [[VIM]] as 'measurand' (quantitative values) and
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -922,7 +923,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:observes</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSAoriginated">
<section class="specterm sosa" id="SOSAoriginated">
<h5><dfn>sosa:originated</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/originated
Expand All @@ -932,7 +933,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:originated</dfn></h5>
</p>
<p>
<em>originated</em> &mdash;
relation from a Stimulus to an Observation that was originated by it
relation from a Stimulus to an Observation that was originated by that Stimulus
</p>
<dl>
<dt>Domain Includes</dt>
Expand All @@ -959,7 +960,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:originated</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSAqualityOf">
<section class="informative specterm sosa" id="SOSAqualityOf">
<h5><dfn>sosa:qualityOf</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/qualityOf
Expand All @@ -972,7 +973,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:qualityOf</dfn></h5>
This term is non-normative, pending further implementation experience</p>
<p>
<em>quality of</em> &mdash;
link from a quality description to an Observation or ObservationCollection that it relates to
link from a quality description to an Observation or ObservationCollection which that quality description relates to
</p>
<dl>
<dt>Range Includes</dt>
Expand All @@ -997,7 +998,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:qualityOf</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSArelatedObservation">
<section class="informative specterm sosa" id="SOSArelatedObservation">
<h5><dfn>sosa:relatedObservation</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/relatedObservation
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -1044,7 +1045,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:relatedObservation</dfn></h5>
</div>
</section>

<section class="informative specterm" id="SOSAresultQuality">
<section class="informative specterm sosa" id="SOSAresultQuality">
<h5><dfn>sosa:resultQuality</dfn></h5>
<p class="crossreference">
<strong>IRI:</strong> http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/resultQuality
Expand All @@ -1059,7 +1060,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:resultQuality</dfn></h5>
<p>
<em>observation result quality</em> &mdash;
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to some information pertaining to the quality of
the result
that result
</p>
<dl>
<dt>Note</dt>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -1108,7 +1109,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:wasObservedBy</dfn></h5>

<p>
<em>was observed by</em> &mdash;
relation from a Property to an Observation that observed it
relation from a Property to an Observation that observed that Property
</p>

<dl>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -1147,7 +1148,7 @@ <h5><dfn>sosa:wasOriginatedBy</dfn></h5>
</p>
<p>
<em>was originated by</em> &mdash;
relation from an Observation to the Stimulus that originated it
relation from an Observation to the Stimulus that originated that Observation
</p>
<dl>
<dt>Domain Includes</dt>
Expand Down
25 changes: 12 additions & 13 deletions ssn/rdf/ontology/core/sosa-observation.ttl
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Expand Up @@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ sosa:ObservationCollection

All Observation properties may appear in an Observation Collection, including:
hasFeatureOfInterest , hasUltimateFeatureOfInterest , usedProcedure , madeBySensor , observedProperty , phenomenonTime , startTime, resultTime , hasResult , hasSimpleResult :
If they are present, the value of these properties summarize the values of the matching properties of the member observations, where membership is either direct or transitive through one or more member observation collections.
If they are present, the values of these properties summarize the values of the matching properties of the member observations, where membership is either direct or transitive through one or more member observation collections.
The following consistency rules apply with respect to the Observation properties listed above:

1. Where an individual Observation Collection omits a property, a member Observation (direct or transitive) MAY have any value for that property.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ sosa:ObservingProcedure
skos:note """[ISO 19156:2023] An ObservingProcedure shall be defined as the description of steps performed in order to determine the value of an observableProperty by an Observer."""@en ;
rdfs:isDefinedBy sosa-obs: .


sosa:Sensor
a owl:Class ;
rdfs:subClassOf sosa:System ;
Expand All @@ -113,7 +112,7 @@ sosa:Stimulus
skos:definition """
event in the real world that triggers a Sensor
"""@en ;
skos:note """The properties associated to the Stimulus may be different to the eventual observed Property. It is the event, not the object, that triggers the Sensor."""@en ;
skos:note """The Properties associated with a Stimulus may differ from those eventually observed. It is the event, not the object, that triggers the Sensor."""@en ;
rdfs:isDefinedBy sosa-obs: .

sosa:detects
Expand All @@ -136,7 +135,7 @@ sosa:hasProxy
relation from a Property to a Stimulus that serves as its proxy
"""@en ;
skos:example """
For example, the expansion of mercury is a Stimulus that serves as a proxy for some temperature Property.
The expansion of mercury is a Stimulus that serves as a proxy for some temperature Property.
An increase or decrease in the velocity of spinning cups on a wind Sensor is serving as a proxy for the wind speed.
"""@en ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:Property ;
Expand All @@ -148,7 +147,7 @@ sosa:isDetectedBy
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "is detected by"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from a Stimulus to a Sensor that may detect it
relation from a Stimulus to a Sensor that may detect that Stimulus

The Stimulus itself will be serving as a proxy for some Property.
"""@en ;
Expand All @@ -161,7 +160,7 @@ sosa:isObservedBy
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "is observed by"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from a Property to a Sensor that is able to observe it
relation from a Property to a Sensor that is able to observe that Property
"""@en ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:Property ;
schema:rangeIncludes sosa:Sensor ;
Expand All @@ -185,7 +184,7 @@ sosa:madeBySensor
rdfs:subPropertyOf sosa:madeBySystem ;
rdfs:label "made by sensor or observer"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the Sensor involved
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the Sensor which made that Observation or ObservationCollection
"""@en ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:Observation ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:ObservationCollection ;
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -224,7 +223,7 @@ sosa:observedProperty
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "observed property"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the property observed
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to the property observed in that Observation or ObservationCollection
"""@en ;
skos:note """
'observed property' covers the concepts referred to in [VIM] as 'measurand' (quantitative values) and 'examinand' (categorical and nominal values — [VIM4]), as well as complex and structured properties whose values may be represented as lists, vectors, arrays, rasters, geometries, etc. More specific terms are used in other contexts for related concepts, such as 'analyte' (chemistry) and 'determinand' (water quality).
Expand All @@ -251,7 +250,7 @@ sosa:originated
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "originated"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from a Stimulus to an Observation that was originated by it
relation from a Stimulus to an Observation that was originated by that Stimulus
"""@en ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:Stimulus ;
schema:rangeIncludes sosa:Observation ;
Expand All @@ -262,7 +261,7 @@ sosa:qualityOf
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "quality of" ;
skos:definition """
link from a quality description to an Observation or ObservationCollection that it relates to
link from a quality description to an Observation or ObservationCollection which that quality description relates to
"""@en ;
schema:rangeIncludes sosa:Observation ;
schema:rangeIncludes sosa:ObservationCollection ;
Expand All @@ -287,7 +286,7 @@ sosa:resultQuality
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "observation result quality" ;
skos:definition """
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to some information pertaining to the quality of the result
relation from an Observation or ObservationCollection to some information pertaining to the quality of that result
"""@en ;
skos:scopeNote """
This instance-specific description complements the description of the observation Procedure, which provides information concerning the quality of all observations using this procedure. Multiple measures can be provided.
Expand All @@ -305,7 +304,7 @@ sosa:wasObservedBy
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "was observed by"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from a Property to an Observation that observed it
relation from a Property to an Observation that observed that Property
"""@en ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:Property ;
schema:rangeIncludes sosa:Observation ;
Expand All @@ -317,7 +316,7 @@ sosa:wasOriginatedBy
a owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "was originated by"@en ;
skos:definition """
relation from an Observation to the Stimulus that originated it
relation from an Observation to the Stimulus that originated that Observation
"""@en ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:Observation ;
schema:domainIncludes sosa:ObservationCollection ;
Expand Down
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