MIRLOG: A logic for multimedia information retrieval. Fabio Crestani, Mounia Lalmas and Cornelis

Abstract: This chapter presents a logic for the retrieval of multimedia information, whose ultimate goal is to model retrieval as an uncertain logical inference, in accordance to the logic-based view of retrieval. The logic being presented is the product of a number of extensions to a Description Logic, which constitutes the kernel of our model. Each extension is meant to capture an important aspect of the retrieval endeavour that is not adequately dealt with by the kernel logic. The extensions are: a 4-valued semantics, aiming at capturing relevance in retrieval; closure assertions, aiming at allowing closed-world reading of selectively specified parts of a document base; fuzzy assertions, aiming at handling the uncertainty intrinsic in retrieval. The resulting logic is to be understood as a modelling retrieval tool, which can be used for the specification and the rapid prototyping of applications