Part-whole relations in object-centered systems: An overview

Knowledge bases, data bases and object-oriented systems (referred to in the paper as Object-Centered systems) all rely on attributes as the main construct used to associate properties to objects; among these, a fundamental role is played by the so-called part-whole relation. The representation of such structural information usually requires particular semantics together with specialized inference and update mechanisms, but rarely do current modelling formalisms and methodologies give it a specific, ‘first-class’ dignity. The main thesis of this paper is that the part-whole relation cannot simply be considered as an ordinary attribute: its specific ontological nature requires to be understood and integrated within data-modelling formalisms and methodologies. On the basis of such an ontological perspective, we survey the conceptual modelling issues involving part-whole relations, and the various modelling frameworks provided by knowledge representation and object-oriented formalisms.     

Hierarchical representation of problem-solving knowledge in a frame-based process planning system

In most frame-based reasoning systems, the information being manipulated is represetned using frames, but the problem-solving knowledge that manipulates the frames is represented as production rules. One problem with this approach is that rules are not always a natrual way to represent knowledge; another is that systems containing lots of rules may suffer from problems with “exponetial blowup” in the amount of computation required. This paper describes a way to address these problems by organizing the problem-solving knowledge not as rules, but in a particular kind of frame hierarchy. the approach described in this paper has been implemented in a problem-solving system called SIPP (Semi-Intelligent Process Planner), which produces plans of action for the manufacture of metal parts. the paper gives an overview of SIPP, compares its knowledge representation and problem solving methods to approaches used in other knowledge-based systems, and describes goals for further research.     

A Frame Based Architecture for Information Integration in CIMS

This paper foumulates and architecture for information integration in computer integrated manufacturing systems(CIMS).The architecture takes the frame structure as single link among applications and between applications and physical storage.All the advantages in form features based intgrated systems can be found in the frame-based architecture as the frame structrue here takes from features as its primitives.But other advantage,e.g.,default knowledge and dynamic domain knowledge can be attached to frames and the frame structure is easy to be changed and extended,which cannot be found ing form reatures based systems,can also be showed in frame based architectures as the frame structure is a typical knowledge representation scheme in artificial intelligence and many researches and interests have put on it.     

面向对象的深立井凿井决策支持系统的设计

本文基于面向对象的设计思想,结合决策支持系统相关技术,通过构造面向对象的深立井施工钻眼爆破系统和凿井设备选型计算系统模型,采用面向对象技术的封装、继承和消息处理等特性,将传统的系统框架和选型规则、知识结合封装成为深立井凿井中新的对象知识库,突出规则知识表示的灵活性和框架知识表示的结构性,同时结合语义网络的特点,构建出深立井凿井决策支持系统。系统科学地实现了深立井凿井设备的选型、计算任务书和炮眼布置图的自动生成等功能,从而为深立井施工钻爆系统设计以及凿井设备选型提供新的服务载体。     

Frameworks for incorporating semantic relationships into object‐oriented database systems

A semantic relationship is a data modeling construct that connects a pair of classes or categories and has inherent constraints and other functionalities that precisely reflect the characteristics of the specific relationship in an application domain. Examples of semantic relationships include part–whole, ownership, materialization and role‐of. Such relationships are important in the construction of information models for advanced applications, whether one is employing traditional data‐modeling techniques, knowledge‐representation languages or object‐oriented modeling methodologies. This paper focuses on the issue of providing built‐in support for such constructs in the context of object‐oriented database (OODB) systems. Most of the popular object‐oriented modeling approaches include some semantic relationships in their repertoire of data‐modeling primitives. However, commercial OODB systems, which are frequently used as implementation vehicles, tend not to do the same. We will present two frameworks by which a semantic relationship can be incorporated into an existing OODB system. The first only requires that the OODB system support manifest type with respect to its instances. The second assumes that the OODB system has a special kind of metaclass facility. The two frameworks are compared and contrasted. In order to ground our work in existing systems, we show the addition of a part–whole semantic relationship both to the ONTOS DB/Explorer OODB system and the VODAK Model Language. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intelligent non-visual navigation of complex HTML structures

This paper provides an overview of a project aimed at using knowledge-based technology to improve accessibility of the Web for visually impaired users. The focus is on the multi-dimensional components of Web pages (tables and frames); our cognitive studies demonstrate that spatial information is essential in comprehending tabular data, and this aspect has been largely overlooked in the existing literature. Our approach addresses these issues by using explicit representations of the navigational semantics of the documents and using a domain-specific language to query the semantic representation and derive navigation strategies. Navigational knowledge is explicitly generated and associated to the tabular and multi-dimensional HTML structures of documents. This semantic representation provides to the blind user an abstract representation of the layout of the document; the user is then allowed to issue commands from the domain-specific language to access and traverse the document according to its abstract layout. Published online: 6 November 2002     

Knowledge representation-oriented nets for discrete event systemapplications

This paper presents knowledge representation-oriented nets (KRON), a knowledge representation schema for discrete event systems (DES). KRON enables the representation and use of a variety of knowledge about a DES static structure and its dynamic states and behavior. It is based on the integration of high-level Petri nets with frame-based representation techniques and follows the object-oriented paradigm. The main objective considered in its definition is to obtain a comprehensive and powerful representation model for data and control of DES. The use of the DES behavioral knowledge is governed by a control mechanism stored in a separate inference engine. KRON provides an efficient execution mechanism to make the models evolve. This is an adaptation of the RETE matching algorithm in order to deal with the features provided by high-level Petri nets and it takes advantage of its integration with a frame/object-oriented representation schema, Moreover, KRON facilitates dealing with decision points in the execution of nondeterministic models. A prototype of a simulation tool with graphical display and animation facilities has been implemented for KRON and it has been used in several case studies in the manufacturing systems domain     

Facilitating representation and retrieval of structured cases: Principles and toolkit

Case-Based reasoning (CBR) applications are increasingly used for problems involving structured data, especially in process-oriented domains. Available CBR frameworks rely primarily on flat case representations, leaving developers of process-oriented CBR systems without general-purpose tools aimed at their needs. This paper discusses needs to support structure-based retrieval for CBR and how they have been addressed in the development of the Structure Access Interface (SAI), a toolkit for representation and retrieval of structured cases which is now available for general use. Integrating SAI into a CBR project eliminates the need for developing a storage scheme for graph data structures and facilitates the development of retrieval algorithms by (1) providing useful code for common retrieval tasks and (2) delineating the tasks which may require domain-specific implementations. SAI maintains flexibility through its customizability yet carries solutions for many common tasks for CBR developers, as well as illuminating some general principles for addressing common representation and retrieval needs for process-oriented CBR tasks and the relationship between CBR needs for structured retrieval and needs and methods in graph oriented database research. The paper closes with an evaluation of SAI's scalability and demonstration of the value of enabling developers to select retrieval methods suited to their tasks. It closes with a discussion of SAI's relationship to the growing body of work on graph databases.     

A data model for processes based on relative time

Advanced database applications such as automated manufacturing, scheduling, and computer-aided software engineering, demand an explicit representation of processes, including their decomposition into subprocesses, where subprocesses may be repeated or shared. Temporal information on these processes is inherently relative to particular temporal frames of reference, that may be different from that of a complex process containing them. We suggest the Rtime object-oriented data model in which processes are first-class citizens and complex processes are built, using standard type constructors, from their component processes. The relative timing of component processes is a key feature of the suggested model. It allows for a modular construction of complex process objects that may be repeated and shared. Standard object-oriented query languages can be used for temporal queries on processes, by providing an operator for translating timing information between different temporal frames of reference.     

范例推理中面向对象的范例表示研究

结合范例推理的具体特点,按照面向对象的形式定义,给出范例的面向对象表示方法.通过类的层次信息,方便地表示范例复杂的结构信息;它一方面克服了属性-值对表示法无法表示复杂结构范例的缺陷,另一方面将领域知识通过约束规则与范例的表示有机结合起来.在范例相似性计算上,区分类内相似性和类间相似性,使得相似性表示尽可能准确和科学,从而有效地拓展了范例推理系统中的知识表示能力.     

Logical Object as a Basis of Knowledge Based Systems

This paper presents a framework called logical knowledge object (LKO),which is taken as a basis of the dependable development of knowledge based systems(KBSs).LKO combines logic programming and object-oriented programming paradigms,where objects are viewed as abstractions with states,constraints,behaviors and inheritance.The operational semantics defined in the style of natural semantics is simple and clear.A hybrid knowledge representation amalgamating rule,frame,semantic network and blackboard is available for both most structured and flat knowledge.The management of knowledge bases has been formally specified.Accordingly,LKO is well suited for the formal representation of knowledge and requirements of KBSs.Based on the framework,verification techniques are also explored to enhance the analysis of requirement specifications and the validation of KBSs.In addition,LKO provides a methodology for the development of KBSs,applying the concepts of rapid prototyping and top-down design to deal with changing and incomplete requirements,and to provide multiple abstract models of the domain,where formal methods might be used at each abstract level.     

Query language approach based on the deductive object-oriented database paradigm

The integration of data-oriented (structural), behavioral and deductive aspects is necessary in next generation information systems. The deductive object-oriented database paradigm offers a very promising starting point for the implementation of these kinds of information systems. So far in the context of this paradigm a big problem has been the lack of a query language suitable to an ordinary end user. Typically in existing proposals for deductive object-oriented databases the user has to master well both logic-based rule formulation and object-oriented programming. In this paper we introduce a set of high-level querying primitives which increases the degree of declarativeness compared to the deductive object-oriented query languages proposed so far. In terms of these primitives it is possible to offer for end users such application-specific concepts and structures whose interpretation is obvious to users but whose specification is too demanding for them. By combining these primitives in queries the user can integrate data-oriented, behavioral and deductive aspects with each other in a concept-oriented way. Our query language approach is based on the incorporation of deductive aspects to object-orientation. Among others this means that deductive aspects of objects are inherited in the specialization/generalization hierarchy like any other properties of objects.     

Using semantic web technologies to access soft AEC data

Building related data tends to be generated, used and retained in a domain-specific manner. The lack of interoperability between data domains in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry inhibits the cross-domain use of data at an enterprise level. Semantic web technologies provide a possible solution to some of the noted interoperability issues. Traditional methods of information capture fail to take into account the wealth of soft information available throughout a building. Several sources of information are not included in performance assessment frameworks, including social media, occupant communication, mobile communication devices, occupancy patterns, human resource allocations and financial information.The paper suggests that improved data interoperability can aid the integration of untapped silos of information into existing structured performance measurement frameworks, leading to greater awareness of stakeholder concerns and building performance. An initial study of how building-related data can be published following semantic web principles and integrated with other ‘soft-data’ sources in a cross-domain manner is presented. The paper goes on to illustrate how data sources from outside the building operation domain can be used to supplement existing sources. Future work will include the creation of a semantic web based performance framework platform for building performance optimisation.     

A graph mining approach for detecting identical design structures in object-oriented design models

The object-oriented approach has been the most popular software design methodology for the past twenty-five years. Several design patterns and principles are defined to improve the design quality of object-oriented software systems. In addition, designers can use unique design motifs that are designed for the specific application domains. Another commonly used technique is cloning and modifying some parts of the software while creating new modules. Therefore, object-oriented programs can include many identical design structures. This work proposes a sub-graph mining-based approach for detecting identical design structures in object-oriented systems. By identifying and analyzing these structures, we can obtain useful information about the design, such as commonly-used design patterns, most frequent design defects, domain-specific patterns, and reused design clones, which could help developers to improve their knowledge about the software architecture. Furthermore, problematic parts of frequent identical design structures are appropriate refactoring opportunities because they affect multiple areas of the architecture. Experiments with several open-source and industrial projects show that we can successfully find many identical design structures within a project (intra-project) and between different projects (inter-project). We observe that usually most of the detected identical structures are an implementation of common design patterns; however, we also detect various anti-patterns, domain-specific patterns, reused design parts and design-level clones.     

Automated knowledge acquisition for the surface-mount PWB assembly domain

The development of knowledge-based (or expert) systems for the surface-mount printed wiring board (PWB) assembly domain requires the understanding and regulation of several complex tasks. While the knowledge base in an expert system serves as a storehouse of knowledge primitives, its design and development is a bottleneck in the expert system development life-cycle. Therefore the development of an automated knowledge acquisition (KA) facility (or KA tool) would facilitate the implementation of expert systems for any domain. This paper describes an automated KA tool that helps to elicit and store information in domain-specific knowledge bases for surface-mount PWB assembly. A salient feature of this research is the acquisition of uncertain information.     

An integrated highly synchronous,high resolution,real time eye tracking system for dynamic flight movement

Electronic surveillance systems are being used rapidly today, ranging from a simple video camera to a complex biometric surveillance system for facial patterns and intelligent computer vision based surveillance systems, which are applied in many fields such as home monitoring, security surveillance of important places and mission critical tasks like air traffic control surveillance. Such systems normally involve a computer system and a human surveillance operator, who looks at the dynamic display to perform his surveillance tasks. Exploitation of shared information between these physical heterogeneous data capture systems with human operated functions is one emerging aspect in electronic surveillance that has yet to be addressed deeply. Hence, an innovative interaction interface for such knowledge extraction and representation is required. Such an interface should establish a data activity register frame which captures information depicting various surveillance activities at a specified spatial and time reference.This paper presents a real time eye tracking system, which integrates two sets of activity data in a highly dynamic changing and synchronous manner in real-time with respect to both spatial and time frames, through the “Dynamic Data Alignment and Timestamp Synchronisation Model”. This model matches the timestamps of the two data streams, aligns them to the same spatial reference frame before fusing them together into a data activity register frame. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) domain is used to illustrate this model, where experiments are conducted under simulated radar traffic situations with participants and their radar input data. Test results revealed that this model is able to synchronise the timestamp of the eye and dynamic display data, align both of these data spatially, while taking into account dynamic changes in space and time on a simulated radar display. This system can also distinguish and show variations in the monitoring behaviour of participants. As such, new knowledge can be extracted and represented through this innovative interface, which can then be applied to other applications in the field of electronic surveillance to unearth monitoring behaviour of the human surveillance operator.     

Building knowledge base management systems

Advanced applications in fields such as CAD, software engineering, real-time process control, corporate repositories and digital libraries require the construction, efficient access and management of large, shared knowledge bases. Such knowledge bases cannot be built using existing tools such as expert system shells, because these do not scale up, nor can they be built in terms of existing database technology, because such technology does not support the rich representational structure and inference mechanisms required for knowledge-based systems. This paper proposes a generic architecture for a knowledge base management system intended for such applications. The architecture assumes an object-oriented knowledge representation language with an assertional sublanguage used to express constraints and rules. It also provides for general-purpose deductive inference and special-purpose temporal reasoning. Results reported in the paper address several knowledge base management issues. For storage management, a new method is proposed for generating a logical schema for a given knowledge base. Query processing algorithms are offered for semantic and physical query optimization, along with an enhanced cost model for query cost estimation. On concurrency control, the paper describes a novel concurrency control policy which takes advantage of knowledge base structure and is shown to outperform two-phase locking for highly structured knowledge bases and update-intensive transactions. Finally, algorithms for compilation and efficient processing of constraints and rules during knowledge base operations are described. The paper describes original results, including novel data structures and algorithms, as well as preliminary performance evaluation data. Based on these results, we conclude that knowledge base management systems which can accommodate large knowledge bases are feasible. Edited by Gunter Schlageter and H.-J. Schek. Received May 19, 1994 / Revised May 26, 1995 / Accepted September 18, 1995     

Formalization of object-oriented database model with rules

The paper investigates knowledge representation in an object-oriented database management system first within the data model with rules and second in the computational model by using logic. Issues of structure, integrity, and retrieval are focused on. The proposed system provides object-oriented concepts for describing complex structured data, rules for expressing object-dependent constraints and object associations, and, finally, logic for inference and retrieval.     

Ontology models of the impacts of agriculture and climate changes on water resources: Scenarios on interoperability and information recovery

Agriculture is both highly dependent on water resources, and impacting on these resources. Regardless of advances in the area, the impacts of water scarcity and climatic changes on agriculture, as well as the impacts of agriculture on water resources, remain uncertain. Potentially, collaborative systems can support the management and information sharing of multifaceted and large scale data sources, providing valuable and indispensable information for research. However, these solutions rely on semantic interoperability, the construction of complex knowledge representation models, as well as information recovery. This work describes interoperability issues in the engineering process of the OntoAgroHidro, an ontology that represents knowledge about impacts of agricultural activities and climatic changes on water resources. The paper presents representative scenarios and questions, and discusses the reuse and integration of concepts using knowledge visualization techniques. Experiments on the information recovery scenario point out the potential and limitations of the OntoAgroHidro.     

Conceptual Models and Architectures for Advanced Information Systems

This paper addresses several issues related to the use of conceptual modeling to support service-oriented, advanced information systems. It shows how conceptual modeling of information resources can be used to integrate information obtained from multiple data sources, including both internal and external data. The notion of an intelligent thesaurus is presented and a meta-model of the thesaurus is developed. It is then used to create a three-layer architecture consisting of the actual data source schemas, a wrapped object-oriented abstraction of the schemas expressed in terms of the thesaurus primitives, and an integrated version which serves as the federation schema. The sharing of information among constituents is also addressed, and a special export schema—the export data/knowledge/task schema—is proposed that ties together the objects, their constraints, and their usage rules. Knowledge sharing among constituents during cooperative query processing is accomplished using data/knowledge packets.