Implementing Modular Ontologies with Distributed Description Logics

In an earlier paper, we presented a logical framework for representing and reasoning with modular ontologies with a special focus on supporting localized reasoning and integrity in the face of changes. This framework while being based on a formal semantics, was not specific to a particular logic used to specify ontologies and links between modules. As a result, no system was provided that implemented the ideas presented in that paper. In this work, we close this gap by explaining, how the general framework for modular ontologies can be mapped onto distributed description logics and implemented using the DRAGO reasoning system. In particular, we refine the notion of modular ontologies to the case where local ontologies are represented in SHIQ. We define a sound and complete inference rule for modular ontologies based distributed decsription logic and analyze the worst case complexity of reasoning in the framework. We also briefly discuss the DRAGO system and describe how our framework can be mapped on the representations supported by DRAGO.