A Decentralized Multi-Agent Ontology-Based System for Information Retrieval

Abstract. The search of information in heterogeneous systems is always a crucial task. Continuously changing fields of knowledge offer various standards, methods and technology evolvements to satisfy the users ’ queries. In this paper we present a catalog based system based upon data collection and harmonization from distributed fields of knowledge that enables the online search and discovery of information from different thematic regions. The key idea is a multiagent platform that enables the connection and interoperability between independent agent entities, oriented however at offering manageability and accuracy. Users can access data and thematic regions not known to them beforehand by the use of the automatic multi-agent system. Our approach is ontologybased, motivated by scenarios of seeking tourist information.