Abstract: In the past two decades，directional relation has received great attention in many areas，such as computer science，geographic information science，artificial intelligence，robotics，databases，multimedia，and so on.Many typical models have been proposed for description of directional relations between spatial objects.This paper is focused on the review of computational models of direction relations and their applications in GIS spatial query，spatial analysis and spatial reasoning.It is pointed out that most models only approximately capture directional relations between extended spatial objects（i.e. line and area），because extended spatial objects are represented too coarsely either in terms of their MBRs or as a point，with exception of the statistical model of directional relation which is developed based on spatial objects themselves.Several issues are highlighted for future investigations.

摘要： 空间方向关系建模是一个属于空间认知范畴的研究问题。近20年来，该研究问题受到来自计算机、人工智能、机器人以及地理信息科学等领域的众多学者们关注，提出了许多形式化描述模型。首先阐述了方向关系描述框架、表达形式、基本性质以及影响方向关系描述的主要因素。然后，重点回顾及评价了一些较有代表性的方向关系建模方法及其在GIS空间查询、分析、推理中的应用，指出了其中存在的一些主要问题。最后，展望了方向关系模型及其应用中有待进一步研究的若干相关工作。