Ontology Evolution Mapping Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ontology engineering methods lack effective mechanisms for managing changes and evolution in interorganizational ontology systems, particularly in managing dependencies and updating mappings between application and ontology systems, leading to complex and dynamic challenges in collaborative settings.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed to detect changes in ontology systems and update mappings from application paths to conceptual paths, allowing for flexible ontology evolution without altering the data system, using a change log to track changes and applying conditions for updating, which includes relabeling, appending, inserting, or deleting structures, and utilizing a translation engine for data value transformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ontology systems are used to share semantics across distributed applications, then interoperability and semantic integration are improved, but managing changes and evolution in interorganizational settings becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ontology change management process into distinct phases: change detection, impact analysis, change validation, and mapping updates. This segmentation allows complex interorganizational ontology evolution to be handled through manageable, discrete steps, reducing overall complexity while maintaining interoperability benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary impact analysis before applying ontology changes, identifying all affected mappings and applications in advance. This preliminary action prevents downstream issues and simplifies the actual change application process, addressing the complexity challenge proactively
2Reliability
If mappings between application paths and conceptual paths are maintained, then consistency across applications is improved, but updating mappings during ontology evolution becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where ontology changes trigger automated detection of mapping updates needed. The system continuously monitors ontology structure changes and automatically updates affected mappings, maintaining consistency without manual intervention and simplifying the update process
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting ontology changes, analyzing impacts, and updating mappings without requiring manual intervention from application developers. This automation maintains consistency while making mapping updates easier and more efficient
3Manufacturing precision
If changes in one ontology artefact imply cascade changes in dependent artefacts, then completeness of change propagation is improved, but the complexity of tracking and managing these implications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary impact analysis that pre-calculates all cascade changes implied by a given ontology modification. By analyzing dependencies in advance and identifying all affected artefacts before changes are applied, the system achieves complete change propagation while managing complexity through structured analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The change propagation process is segmented into discrete impact analysis steps, separating the identification of affected artefacts from the actual change application. This segmentation makes tracking and managing cascade changes more manageable while maintaining completeness
Data Source
AI summary
A method for modifying a mapping from at least one application path of a data system to a conceptual path of an ontology system, wherein the application path addresses a part of the structure of the data system and the conceptual path addresses a part of the structure of the ontology system. The method includes steps of detecting a change to a part of the structure of the ontology system one or more of the conceptual paths is addressing and updating the mappings to reflect the change to the part of the structure of the ontology system.