Multi-source semantic integration - revisiting the theory of signs and ontology alignment principles

Current conceptual models for information fusion, including the JDL model do not consider the fact that their information sources are often based on different ontological bases. We therefore suggest that the Alignment functional process of the JDL model, which caters for space and time common referencing, be augmented with the notional aspect of common ontological alignment We illustrate this with the semiotic triangle and show how symbols relate to conceptualizations which in turn refer to objects of interest within domains of discourse. We then discuss on the notion of ontology alignment and how it is substantiated in a perspective of communication between a source (an addresser) and a fusion node (an addressee. Finally, we discuss on the semantic distance as a result of aligning similar (but not congruent) concepts.