Models for Superimposed Information

摘要

The ubiquitous World Wide Web presents a simple inter-face for a vast array of heterogeneous information. We see the Web as one enabler for what we call superimposed information. Superimposed information serves to highlight, annotate, connect and supplement information in a base information space. Superimposed information is already pervasive for the Web, with a variety of models and accompanying capabilities. In this paper, we introduce superimposed information and analyze a range of conceptual models for it using a three-part feature space consisting of information elements, links, and marks. Information elements in the superimposed layer and links among those information elements are analogous to the classical entities and relationships of database models. The novelty is in the marks that reference underlying formation elements. Superimposed information can serve as proxies for underlying information elements, can provide new access paths, and can introduce new information as well as new links among existing information elements. We conclude with a discussion of open research questions regarding superimposed information.