Qing Li

Unified Modeling Language

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the most widely used modeling methods for software. It includes various views and diagrams for different purposes and usages. Now, it is the core technique of Model Driven Architecture. the UML is also used to form conceptual models for various kinds of objectives. The syntax and semantics of the UML for the object-oriented design are introduced in this chapter. A structured approach for UML models development is also discussed.

Workflow View Driven Cross-Organizational Interoperability in a Web Service Environment

Workflow technology has recently been employed not only within businesses but also as a framework for implementing e-services over the Internet. Such e-services typically require collaborative enactment of workflows across multiple organizations. In this paper, we propose the use of workflow views as a fundamental support mechanism for the interoperability of multiple workflows across business organizations. We present a meta-model of workflow views and their semantics using a cross-organization workflow example based on a supply-chain e-service. We also formulate an interoperation model of workflow views and its consistency criteria. Finally, this paper presents an implementation of the model based on XML and contemporary Web services technologies, with adaptation to our E-ADOME workflow engine.

Web interface-driven cooperative exception handling in ADOME workflow management system

Exception handling in workflow management systems (WFMSs) is a very important problem since it is not possible to specify all possible outcomes and alternatives. On the other hand, cooperative support for user-driven computer supported resolution of unexpected exceptions and workflow evolution at run-time is vital for an adaptive WFMS. We have been developing ADOME-WFMS as a comprehensive framework in which the problem of workflow exception handling can be adequately addressed. We present an adaptive exception manager and its Web-based interface for ADOME-WFMS with procedures for supporting the following: effective management of problem solving agents, cooperative exception handling, user-driven computer supported resolution of unexpected exceptions, and workflow evolution.

Workflow View Based E-Contracts in a Cross-Organizational E-Services Environment

In an e-service environment, workflow involves not only a single organization but also a number of business partners. Therefore, workflow inter-operability in such an environment is an important issue for enacting workflows. In this article, we introduce our approach of using workflow views as a fundamental support for E-service workflow inter-operability and for controlled visibility of (sub-)workflows by external parties. We discuss various aspects of a workflow view, and their semantics with example usage. Furthermore, we develop a contract model based on workflow views and demonstrate how management of e-contracts can be facilitated, with an Internet start-up E-service inter-organization workflow example.

ADOME: an advanced object modeling environment

ADOME, which stands for ADvanced Object Modeling Environment, is an approach to integrating data and knowledge management based on object oriented technology. Next generation information systems will require more flexible data modeling capabilities than those provided by current object oriented DBMSs. In particular, integration of data and knowledge management capabilities will become increasingly important. In this context, ADOME provides versatile role facilities that serve as dynamic binders between data objects and production rules, thereby facilitating flexible data and knowledge management integration. A prototype that implements this mechanism and the associated operators has been constructed on top of a commercial object oriented DBMS and a rule base system.

Workflow View Driven Cross-Organizational Interoperability in a Web-Service Environment

In an E-service environment, workflow involves not only a single organization but also a number of business partners. Therefore, workflow interoperability in such an environment is an important issue for enacting workflows. In this paper, we introduce our approach of using workflow views as a fundamental support for E-service workflow interoperability and for controlled (sub-) workflows visibility to external parties. We present a meta-model of workflow views and their semantics with example usage. We develop an interoperation model based on workflow views, with a supply-chain E-service cross-organization workflow example. We also propose an implementation of workflow view and cross-organizational interoperability based on contemporary Web service [14] technology, with respect to our E-ADOME workflow engine.

A multi-paradigm querying approach for a generic multimedia database management system

To truly meet the requirements of multimedia database (MMDB) management, an integrated framework for modeling, managing and retrieving various kinds of media data in a uniform way is necessary. MediaLand is an experimental MMDB platform being developed at Microsoft Research Asia for users with different levels of experiences and expertise to manage and search multimedia repositories easily, efficiently, and cooperatively. Key features of MediaLand include a uniform data model for describing all kinds of media objects and their relationships, and a 4-tier architecture based on this data model. In this paper, a multi-paradigm querying approach of MediaLand is presented, in which multimedia queries are processed based on a seamless integration of various existing search approaches. In doing so, MediaLand also offers the feature of media independence which is analogous to the notion of data independence from the classic ANSI SPARC standard. By incorporating a rich set of facilities and techniques, MediaLand lays down a good foundation for addressing further research issues, such as multimedia query rewriting, optimization, and presentation.

Product whole life-cycle and omni-channels data convergence oriented enterprise networks integration in a sensing environment

New challenges of enterprise network integration in sensing environment are illustrated.A data convergence oriented enterprise networks integration architecture with relative enabling technologies is developed in the paper.Data Portal (DP) and Collaboration Agent (CA) concepts are introduced for data collection, transfer and fusion from different data sources.Cases to solve problems of product lifecycle management and omni-channel marketing management are discussed. With the process of globalisation and the development of management models and information technologies, enterprise cooperation and collaboration meets a new business and technical environment. The Internet of things, mobile Internet, cloud computing and big data technologies build a sensing environment for all kinds of businesses. Inter enterprise collaboration is also meeting the new challenges of omni-channel marketing, closed-loop supply chain and enterprise networks integration. A data convergence oriented enterprise networks integration architecture with relative enabling technologies is developed in the paper. In order to collect, transfer and fuse data from different data sources, Data Portal (DP) and Collaboration Agent (CA) concepts are introduced, which present a lightweight and loosely coupled infrastructure for enterprise networks integration. How to use the developed technologies to solve problems of product lifecycle management and omni-channel marketing management are discussed in detailed cases studies.

Autonomous navigation and environment modeling for MAVs in 3-D enclosed industrial environments

In many applications, the industrial environments are typically 3-D indoor spaces enclosed by shell style structures, which are highly complex with known or unknown non-convex obstacles. GPS signal is unreliable or even unavailable inside, which poses significant technical challenges for the state estimation of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) performing exploration and modeling tasks in such environments. In this paper, requirements and challenges for 3-D enclosed industrial environments exploration are analyzed firstly, and then state-of-art developments of MAV systems, environment modeling, visual navigation and guidance technologies are reviewed. A robust RGB-D odometry is introduced into the system to provide airborne 6-DOF state estimates of the MAV, which are fused with inertial measurements. Then the fused state information is used to assist the RGB-D based real time 3-D environment modeling. An improved closed-loop RRT based path planning approach (BI-RRT) is developed for information-efficient environment explorations. A flight experimental platform is constructed and the proposed system is validated in flight experiments.

HODFA: an architectural framework for homogenizing heterogeneous legacy databases

One of the main difficulties in supporting global applications over a number of localized databases and migrating legacy information systems to modern computing environment is to cope with the heterogeneities of these systems. In this paper, we present a novel flexible architecture (called HODFA) to dynamically connect such localized heterogeneous databases in forming a homogenized federated database system and to support the process of transforming a collection of heterogeneous information systems onto a homogeneous environment. We further develop an incremental methodology of homogenization in the context of our HODFA framework, which can facilitate different degrees of homogenization in a stepwise manner, so that existing applications will not be affected during the process of homogenization.