Inter-database instance identification in composite information systems

An examination is made of the issue of joining information about the same instance across disparate databases in a CIS (composite information system) environment. A technique called interdatabase instance identification is presented. It uses a combination of database management systems and artificial intelligence techniques. Common attributes in the disparate databases are applied first to reduce the number of potential candidates for the same instance. Other attributes in these databases, auxiliary databases, and inferencing rules are utilized to identify the same instance. A detailed example of the interdatabase instance identification technique is presented, using an operational research prototype