Combining multiple knowledge bases

• Published in: IEEE transactions on knowledge and data engineering Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 208 - 220
• Main Authors: Baral, C., Kraus, S., Minker, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.06.1991; IEEE Computer Society
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Artificial intelligence; Computer science; Computer science; control theory; systems; Constraint theory; Deductive databases; Exact sciences and technology; Helium; Knowledge based systems; Knowledge management; Learning and adaptive systems; Lifting equipment; Logic; Marine vehicles; Military computing; Knowledge base; Logical programming; Multiple; Integrity constraint; Artificial intelligence; Consistency
• ISSN: 1041-4347
• DOI: 10.1109/69.88001

Combining knowledge present in multiple knowledge base systems into a single knowledge base is discussed. A knowledge based system can be considered an extension of a deductive database in that it permits function symbols as part of the theory. Alternative knowledge bases that deal with the same subject matter are considered. The authors define the concept of combining knowledge present in a set of knowledge bases and present algorithms to maximally combine them so that the combination is consistent with respect to the integrity constraints associated with the knowledge bases. For this, the authors define the concept of maximality and prove that the algorithms presented combine the knowledge bases to generate a maximal theory. The authors also discuss the relationships between combining multiple knowledge bases and the view update problem.< >