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Flexible Query Answering Using Distance-Based Fuzzy Relations

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Theory and Applications of Relational Structures as Knowledge Instruments II

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 4342))

Abstract

This paper addresses the added value that is provided by using distance-based fuzzy relations in flexible query answering. To use distances and/or concepts of gradual similarity in that domain is not new. Within the last ten years, however, results in the theory of fuzzy relations have emerged that permit a smooth and pragmatic, yet expressive and effective, integration of ordinal concepts too. So this paper primarily highlights the benefits of integrating fuzzy orderings in flexible query answering systems, where the smooth interplay of fuzzy equivalence relations and fuzzy orderings allows to use simple distances as a common basis for defining both types of relations. As one case study, we discuss a pragmatic variant of a flexible query answering system—the so-called Vague Query System (VQS). The integration of fuzzy orderings into that system is provided in full detail along with the necessary methodological background and demonstrative examples.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bioinformatics, Johannes Kepler University, A-4040, Linz, Austria

    Ulrich Bodenhofer

  2. Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing, Johannes Kepler University, A-4040, Linz, Austria

    Josef Küng

  3. Dept. of Knowledge-Based Mathematical Systems, Johannes Kepler University, A-4040, Linz, Austria

    Susanne Saminger

Authors
  1. Ulrich Bodenhofer
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  2. Josef Küng
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  3. Susanne Saminger
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Philosophy, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000, Tilburg, LE, The Netherlands

    Harrie de Swart

  2. National Institute of Telecommunications, Warsaw,  

    Ewa Orłowska

  3. Institute for Software Technology, Department of Computing Science, Universität der Bundeswehr München, 85577, Neubiberg, Germany

    Gunther Schmidt

  4. Faculté Polytechnique de Mons, Rue de Houdain 9, B-7000, Mons, Belgium

    Marc Roubens

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Bodenhofer, U., Küng, J., Saminger, S. (2006). Flexible Query Answering Using Distance-Based Fuzzy Relations. In: de Swart, H., Orłowska, E., Schmidt, G., Roubens, M. (eds) Theory and Applications of Relational Structures as Knowledge Instruments II. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 4342. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11964810_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11964810_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-69223-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-69224-9

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