Mirlog: a logic for multimedia information retrieval

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.