Spatiotemporal context transition model based on graph convolutional network and its implementation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method that addresses the data sparsity problem in points of interest (POI) recommendation by introducing spatiotemporal context features based on location-based social network (LBSN) data. The objective is to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of POI recommendations by considering both spatial and temporal aspects.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this, the paper introduces a model that integrates the spatiotemporal context of POI records and spatiotemporal transition learning. The model uses graph convolutional embedding to embed spatiotemporal context information into feature vectors. Additionally, a recurrent neural network is used to represent the transitions of spatiotemporal context, effectively capturing the user’s spatiotemporal context and its changing trends. The proposed method combines long-term user preferences modeling with spatiotemporal context modeling to achieve POI recommendations based on a joint representation and transition of spatiotemporal context.

Findings

Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing methods. By incorporating spatiotemporal context features, the approach addresses the issue of incomplete modeling of spatiotemporal context features in POI recommendations. This leads to improved recommendation accuracy and alleviation of the data sparsity problem.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications for enhancing the recommendation systems used in various location-based applications. By incorporating spatiotemporal context, the proposed method can provide more relevant and personalized recommendations, improving the user experience and satisfaction.

Originality/value

The paper’s contribution lies in the incorporation of spatiotemporal context features into POI records, considering the joint representation and transition of spatiotemporal context. This novel approach fills the gap left by existing methods that typically separate spatial and temporal modeling. The research provides valuable insights into improving the effectiveness of POI recommendation systems by leveraging spatiotemporal information.

Citation

Zhao, J. and Xin, M. (2024), "Spatiotemporal context transition model based on graph convolutional network and its implementation", International Journal of Web Information Systems, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 473-493. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWIS-06-2023-0088