[Seavox] Devices

[Kennedy, Mary]

The field device_discipline might cause problems - is this field
necessary?  One device could serve multiple disciplines.
I agree with keeping the device_instance local.

-----Original Message-----
From: seavox-bounces at biwebs1.nerc-liv.ac.uk
[mailto:seavox-bounces at biwebs1.nerc-liv.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Roy Lowry
Sent: May 16, 2007 8:05 AM
To: seavox at biwebs1-2.nerc-liv.ac.uk
Subject: [Seavox] Devices

Dear All,

I'm now thinking about grasping the nettle of putting together a
'device_type' ontology.  There must be dozens of lists of this type
around.  Most are flat or a 2-level simple hierarchy (usually
implemented using compound terms e.g. bottle:Niskin) and  seem to have
entity definition problems, usually with platforms or even parameters
sneaking into lists primarily composed of sensors.  Definitions are
either absent or extermemly parochial such as 'net used by Alain Bedo in
the BOFS project'. The lists are the result of evolution rather than
design which means that granularity is about as inconsistent as it could
possibly be.  We need something better in BODC and I'm guessing we're
not alone.

As a start to the process I thought I'd like to gather opinions on the
nature of the lists that should make up the ontology.  Here's my very
rough straw man, in what is roughly a hierarchical order.

device_category (sample collector, remote sensor, probe, sample
processor, sample analyser.....)
device_discipline (terms like SeaDataNet vocabulary L081 - biological
oceanography, physical oceanography etc.)
device_class (sonar, tide gauge
device_subclass (single-beam echosounder, multibea, stilling well,
bottom pressure recorder, bubbler gauge....
device_type (something identified by a manufacturer and model number)
device_instance (something identified by a serial number)

I think device_instance is somewhere where I don't want to go - a global
inventory of scientific instrumentation is both too much work and serves
little purpose.  So, I suggest we leave that as a local - and far from
trivial - issue.

So, I declare the debate open.  Once we have a set of lists we can then
set about the real fun of populating them.

Cheers, Roy.


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