Modelling and representation of uncertain temporal information

The main task of an information system is the representation and management of large amounts of indicative information from multiple sources describing the state of some enterprise. Most conceptual and database models represent enterprises with no imprecise data. Very few approaches in the literature are dealing with imprecise data. In temporal data models and databases, approaches are dealing mainly with precise absolute times. Little consideration has been given to imprecise absolute times or infinite absolute times. No consideration has been given to imprecise infinite absolute times either. Many algebraic models are dealing with temporal or value imperfection, with no description of semantics of uncertain information. There is a need for conceptual models that capture the essential semantics of data imperfection, belief and the temporal nature of imperfect information. This paper is proposing a conceptual framework that describes the semantics of temporal and incomplete information, and shows how this can be translated to database representation. © 2000 Springer-Verlag London Limited.