Department of Software Technology
Vienna University of Technology
SOMLib: A Distributed Digital Library System
based on Self-Organizing Maps
Abstract:
We describe an architecture for a distributed digital library system based on an unsupervised
neural network model, namely the Self-Organizing Map. The system allows the clustering of
text documents forming the basis for intelligent information retrieval. User profiles can be
combined with full text queries or sample texts to locate documents within the library system.
Contrary to conventional approaches consisting of one central library, the distributed SOMLib
allows the combination and integration of several independent SOM-based library systems in a
not necessarily hierarchical order. Furthermore, the system is not limited to a specific type or
setup of the basic SOM architecture. Rather, variations of the basic architecture which might
serve special needs of some users can be combined.
Keywords: Digital Libraries, Information Retrieval, Self-Organizing Map (SOM)
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Comments: rauber@ifs.tuwien.ac.at