| The problem of semantic cooperation across Heterogeneous Information Systems is examined. An architecture has been developed to support dynamic integration of heterogeneous databases, thereby allowing the meaningful exchange of information between systems in a dynamic environment. This architecture is named SCOPES: Semantic Coordinator Over Parallel Exploration Spaces.; The purpose of SCOPES is to build a context dynamically within which dialogue between heterogeneous systems can be understood. To achieve this, a classification of semantic conflicts has been developed, in order to identify the semantic conflicts as they occur. This classification has been shown to be sound, minimal and complete, with respect to known semantic conflicts. A dynamic context builder has been built. The context builder uses the Dempster-Shafer theory of probability to evaluate newly-acquired evidence within all possible contexts. A context-coordination algorithm has been developed. This algorithm is used to coordinate the dialogue between communicating systems, as well as the knowledge acquisition from internal knowledge sources.; In this dissertation, SCOPES has been shown to be useful to several applications domains, including integrated manufacturing and food technology. |
