Defined Topological Relations in Description Logics.
Carsten Lutz, Ralf Möller · 1997
: In this paper we extend the language ALC(D) by a new operator which allows one to define roles on behalf of properties of objects which are given by a concrete domain. This operator can be used to define topological relations. We show that the extension results in an undecidable language and ask for a discussion about the appropriate semantic level of representation for spatial knowledge. 1 Introduction Spatial reasoning using description logics is a rarely addressed issue so far. In this paper we contribute to the discussion by examining the possibilities of modeling topological relations in descriptions logics. Topological relations have proved to be very useful for modeling spatial knowledge in various domains. Examples include GIS, visual programming languages and analysis of aerial images ( [ 7 ] , [ 10 ] ). In our examples we will use topological relations as definded in [ 4 ] , but our investigations are not restricted to this special definition. In [ 4 ] , Egenhofer identifi...