Skip to main content

A Semiotic Approach to Conceptual Modelling

  • Conference paper
Conceptual Modeling (ER 2014)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 8824))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 2198 Accesses

Abstract

The work on Conceptual Modelling performed by our group at PUC-Rio is surveyed, covering four mutually dependent research topics. Regarding databases as a component of information systems, we extended the scope of the Entity-Relationship model, so as to encompass facts, events and agents in a three-schemata specification method employing a logic programming formalism. Next we proceeded to render the specifications executable, by utilizing backward-chaining planners to satisfy the agents’ goals through sequences of fact-modification events. Thanks to the adoption of this plan-recognition / plan-generation paradigm, it became possible to treat both business-oriented and fictional narrative genres. To guide our conceptual modelling approach, we identified four semiotic relations, associated with the four master tropes that have been claimed to provide a system to fully grasp the world conceptually.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. ANSI/X3/SPARK Study Group on Data Base Management Systems. Interim Report. FDT - Bulletin of ACM SIGMOD 7(2) (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barbosa, S.D.J., Breitman, K.K., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: Similarity and Analogy over Application Domains. In: Proceedings of the Brazilian Symposium on Data Bases, João Pessoa, Brazil, pp. 238–254 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Barbosa, S.D.J., Breitman, K.K., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: The Semiotic Web. In: Proceedings of the Second Workshop of the Brazilian Institute for Web Science Research. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Barbosa, S.D.J., Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A.: A decision-making process for digital storytelling. In: Proceedings of the IX Brazilian Symposium on Games and Digital Entertainment. Florianópolis, Brazil, pp. 1–11 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Barbosa, S.D.J., Lima, E.S., Furtado, A.L., Feijó, B.: Early Cases of Bertillon, the Logic Programming Sleuth. In: Proceedings of the XII Brazilian Symposium on Games and Digital Entertainment, pp. 7–16 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Barbosa, S.D.J., Silva, B.S.: Interação Humano-Computador. Rio de Janeiro, Campus/Elsevier (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Breitman, K.K., Barbosa, S.D.J., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: Using analogy to promote conceptual modeling reuse. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on Leveraging Applications of Formal Methods, Verification and Validation, Poitiers, France, pp. 111–122 (2007a)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Breitman, K.K., Barbosa, S.J., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: Conceptual Modeling by Analogy and Metaphor. In: Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Information and Knowledge Management, Lisbon, Portugal, pp. 865–868 (2007b)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Burke, K.: A Grammar of Motives. University of California Press (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Casanova, M.A., Barbosa, S.D.J., Breitman, K.K., Furtado, A.L.: Generalization and blending in the generation of entity-relationship schemas by analogy. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems, Barcelona, Spain, pp. 43–48 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: An Information System Environment based on Plan Generation. In: Proceedings of the Working Conference on Cooperating Knowledge Based Systems. Keele, UK (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chandler, D.: Semiotics: The Basics. Routledge, London (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chen, P.P.: Entity-Relationship Modeling: Historical Events, Future Trends, and Lessons Learned. In: Software Pioneers. Springer (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Barbosa, S.D.J., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: Event relations in plot-based plot composition. In: Proceedings of the Brazilian Symposium on Computer Games and Digital Entertainment, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, pp. 31–40 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L., Veloso, P.A.S.: Modeling interactive storytelling genres as application domains. Journal of Intelligent Information Systems 35(3), 31–40 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Feijo, B., Furtado, A.L.: An Integrated Tool for Modelling, Generating and Exhibiting Narratives. In: Proceedings of the AI, Simulation and Planning in High Autonomy Systems, Lisboa, Portugal, pp. 150–154 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Furtado, A.L.: Simulating the Interaction of Database Agents. In: Proceedings of the Database and Expert Systems Applications Conference, Florence, Italy, pp. 499–510 (1999a)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Furtado, A.L.: Interactive multistage simulation of goal-driven agents. Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society 2(6), 21–32 (1999b)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Furtado, A.L.: Understanding and Simulating Narratives in the Context of Information Systems. In: Spaccapietra, S., March, S.T., Kambayashi, Y. (eds.) ER 2002. LNCS, vol. 2503, pp. 291–306. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  20. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Furtado, A.L.: Towards a Plan-based Learning Environment. In: Proceedings of the PGL Database Research Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Pozzer, C.T., Furtado, A.L., Feijo, B.: A logic-based tool for interactive generation and dramatization of stories. In: Proceedings of the ACM-SIGCHI International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology, Valencia, Spain, pp. 133–140 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ciarlini, A.E.M., Veloso, P.A.S., Furtado, A.L.: A formal framework for modelling at the behavioural level. In: Information Modeling and Knowledge Bases XII, pp. 107–122. IOS Press (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Culler, J.: The Pursuit of Signs: Semiotics, Literature, Deconstruction. Routledge (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Fauconnier, G., Turner, M.: Conceptual projection and middle spaces. Tech. Rep. 9401, Univ. California, San Diego (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Fikes, R., Nilsson, N.: STRIPS: A new approach to the application of theorem proving to problem solving. Artificial Intelligence 2(3-4), 189–208 (1971)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  26. Furtado, A.L.: Analogy by generalization and the quest of the grail. ACM SIGPLAN Notices 27(1), 105–113 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Furtado, A.L.: Narratives and temporal databases: An interdisciplinary perspective. In: Chen, P.P., Akoka, J., Kangassalu, H., Thalheim, B. (eds.) Conceptual Modeling. LNCS, vol. 1565, pp. 73–86. Springer, Heidelberg (1999)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  28. Furtado, A.L.: Narratives over real-life and fictional domains. In: Proceedings of the Brazilian Symposium on Data Bases, Brasília, Brazil, pp. 4–12 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Furtado, A.L.: IDB - "An environment for experimenting with intelligent database-resident information systems". T.R. 11, Pontifícia Universidade Católica (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Furtado, A.L., Breitman, K.K., Casanova, M.A., Barbosa, S.D.J.: Applying Analogy to Schema Generation. Revista Brasileira de Sistemas de Informação 1, 1–8 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A.: Updating Relational Views. In: Query Processing in Database Systems. Springer, New York (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A.: Plan and Schedule Generation over Temporal Databases. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Entity-Relationship Approach, Lausanne, Switzerland, pp. 235–248 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A., Barbosa, S.D.J., Breitman, K.K.: Analysis and Reuse of Plots Using Similarity and Analogy. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, Barcelona, Spain, pp. 355–368 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A., Breitman, K.K., Barbosa, S.D.J.: A Frame Manipulation Algebra for ER Logical Stage Modeling. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, Gramado, Brazil, pp. 9–24 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Furtado, A.L., Ciarlini, A.E.M.: Plots of Narratives over Temporal Databases. In: Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop on Database and Expert Systems Applications, Toulouse, France, pp. 590–595 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Furtado, A.L., Ciarlini, A.E.M.: Operational Characterization of Genre in Literary and Real-life Domains. In: Proceedings of the Conceptual Modeling Conference, Paris, France, pp. 460–474 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Furtado, A.L., Ciarlini, A.E.M.: Generating Narratives from Plots using Schema Information. In: Proceedings of the International Workshop on Applications of Natural Language for Information Systems, Versailles, France, pp. 17–29 (2000a)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Furtado, A.L., Ciarlini, A.E.M.: The plan recognition / plan generation paradigm. In: Information Engineering: State of the Art and Research Themes. Springer, London (2000b)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Furtado, A.L., Ciarlini, A.E.M.: Constructing Libraries of Typical Plans. In: Proceedings of the Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering, Interlaken, Switzerland, pp. 124–139 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Furtado, A.L., Ciarlini, A.E.M.: Cognitive and affective motivation in conceptual modelling. Revista Colombiana de Computación 3(2) (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Furtado, A.L., Kerschberg, L.: An Algebra of Quotient Relations. In: Proceedings of the ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data, Toronto, Canada, pp. 1–8 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Hemerly, A.S., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: Cooperative behaviour through request modification. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Entity-Relationship Approach, San Mateo, CA, USA, pp. 607–621 (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Hemerly, A.S., Casanova, M.A., Furtado, A.L.: Exploiting User Models to Avoid Misconstruals. In: Nonstandard Queries and Nonstandard Answers: Studies in Logic and Computation, pp. 73–97. Oxford University Press (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Jakobson, R.: Closing statements: Linguistics and poetics. In: Sebeok, T.A. (ed.) Style in Language. MIT Press (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Karlsson, B., Barbosa, S.D.J., Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A.: A plot-manipulation algebra to support digital storytelling. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Entertainment Computing, Paris, France, pp. 132–144 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kautz, H.A.: A formal theory of plan recognition and its implementation. In: Reasoning about Plans. Morgan-Kaufmann (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Morris, C.W.: Foundations of the Theory of Signs. Chicago University Press, Chicago (1938/1970)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Nunes, B.P., Casanova, M.A.: A Frame-Based System for Automatic Classification of Semi-Structured Data. Revista de Informática Teórica e Aplicada 16, 87–92 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Peirce, C.S.: The Essential Peirce, vol. 2. Peirce edition Project. Indiana University Press (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Propp, V.: Morphology of the Folktale. Laurence, S. (trans.). University of Texas Press (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Ramus, P.: Rhetoricae Distinctiones in Quintilianum. In: Murphy, J.J. (ed.) C. Newlands (trans.). Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Santos, C.S., Neuhold, E.J., Furtado, A.L.: A Data Type Approach to the Entity-Relationship Model. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on the Entity-Relationship Approach to Systems Analysis and Design, Los Angeles, USA, pp. 103–119 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Saussure, F.: Cours de Linguistique Générale. In: Bally, C., et al. (eds.) Payot (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Willensky, R.: Planning and Understanding–a Computational Approach to Human Reasoning. Addison-Wesley (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Vico, G.: The New Science. T.G. Bergin, M.H. Finch (trans). Cornell University Press, Ithaca (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Winston, M.E., Chaffin, R., Herrmann, D.: A taxonomy of part-whole relations. Cognitive Science 11(4) (1987)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Furtado, A.L., Casanova, M.A., Barbosa, S.D.J. (2014). A Semiotic Approach to Conceptual Modelling. In: Yu, E., Dobbie, G., Jarke, M., Purao, S. (eds) Conceptual Modeling. ER 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8824. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12206-9_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12206-9_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-12205-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-12206-9

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics