- XML Semantics -- the BECHAMEL Project
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We are applying knowledge representation technologies to the modeling of
meaning and relationships expressed by SGML/XML markup in structured
documents. Our goals are to characterize the representation and
inferencing issues relevant to digital documents, survey properties and
semantic relationships common to popular markup languages, and define a
formal, machine-readable declarative representation in which the semantics
of a markup language can be expressed. This will contribute to making
document processing systems more efficient, accessible, robust, secure,
and reliable. Currently we have a prototype formalization language and an
environment (in object-oriented Prolog) for exploring different strategies
for creating SGML/XML document abstractions and supporting inferencing.
EPRG's work in this area is carried out through its participation in the
BECHAMEL Project, which is lead by Michael Sperberg-McQueen and hosted at
the EPRG and at AKIS, at the University of Bergen Norway. Claus Huitfeldt
heads the Bergen participation. A recent overview of the BECHAMEL Project
is [Renear02]; a recent overview of the Prolog environment is [Dubin et al., 2003].
- XML Formats for Electronic Books
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We are playing a leading role in the development of the Open eBook
Publication Structure, a
XML-based format for handheld electronic books. Our objective is to ensure
that emerging industry standards reflect fundamental principles and
support the development of high-performance interoperable eBooks. For an
overview of the OEBPS specification see the
OEBPS FAQ. For a analysis of issues
related to eBook content formats see [Renear and Salo 2002]. Allen Renear
is Chair of the Open eBook Publication Structure Working Group and leads
this EPRG project.