Heterogeneous digital library query platform using a truly distributed multi-agent search

A platform for performing multi-agent searches in heterogeneous digital libraries is proposed. This differs significantly from previous approaches by completely removing the concept of a centralized search engine. Specifically, the organization of information held on domain index servers is constrained to conform to a virtual tree representation based on facets and global keyword concept schema particular to the set of information providers associated with the domain of interest (e.g. preparatory intranet). Simulation studies are used to compare this platform against a digital library platform presently in use, which employs the traditional central server scheme. Improvements in terms of query service time and robustness are demonstrated