Bridging semantic gap in distant communication: Ontology-based approach

Abstract

This paper introduces a multi-agent system that applies semantic web technology to bridge the semantic gap between communication users with different knowledge levels. The system aims to provide smooth conversation with the assistance of semantic information to share the information by users with higher knowledge levels. In this scenario, agents act as personal assistants who monitor the user information and the exchanged contexts. Agents communicate with each another to transfer knowledge to various users depending on their background knowledge levels. Therefore, although the conversation topic is identical, the provision of information will be different. In this paper, we present a sample scenario of computer usage operations in an English composition class that can effectively be applied in a teaching environment. We create domain ontology to perform mapping with the teacher's ontology for knowledge extraction and content conversion. Bridging the semantic gap helps users to communicate easily without considering knowledge barriers. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.