Heterogeneous digital library query platform using a truly distributed multi-agent search

A platform for performing multi-agent searches in heterogeneous digital lib raries is proposed. This differs significantly from previous approaches by completely removing the concept of a centralized search engine. Specificall y, the organization of information held on domain index servers is constrai ned to conform to a virtual tree representation based on facets and global keyword concept schema particular to the set of information providers assoc iated with the domain of interest (e.g. preparatory intranet). Simulation s tudies are used to compare this platform against a digital library platform presently in use, which employs the traditional central server scheme. Imp rovements in terms of query service time and robustness are demonstrated.