1. An Introduction to ISO15926
Matthew West

2. Programme Introduction to 4 Dimensionalism
ISO – Lifecycle Integration Schema
Introduction to the data model

3. 3D and 4D approaches to ontology
In principle, there are infinitely many ways in which we can model the world, so it is perhaps surprising that there are two main approaches, with on the whole minor variations, that dominate the literature.We will call these the 3D paradigm and the 4D paradigm, though they are also known as endurantism, and perdurantism.

4. 4D Ontology
A 4D ontology treats all individuals – things that exist in space-time - as spatio-temporal extents, i.e. as 4D objects.
The principles of the 4D paradigm are:
Individuals exist in a manifold of 4 dimensions, three space and one time. So things in the past and future exist as well as things in the present.
The four dimensional extent is viewed from outside time rather than in the present.
Individuals (including physical objects) extend in time as well as space and have both temporal parts and spatial parts.
When two individuals have the same spatio-temporal extent they are the same thing. (However not all version of 4D insist on this principle).
Thus a 4D object is not (usually) wholly present at a point in time, but its whole is extended in space as well as time. The object at a point in time is a temporal part of the whole. Change is naturally expressed through a 4 dimensional classical mereology, which Simons: “Parts: A Study in Ontology” in his seminal work, describes in one page. A good description of, and argument for, the 4D paradigm can be found in Sider: “4 Dimensionalism”.

5. 3D Ontology
A 3D ontology treats physical objects (roughly things you can kick) as 3D objects (sometimes called continuants) that pass through time. The principles of the 3D paradigm are:
Physical objects are 3-dimensional objects that pass through time and are wholly present at each point in time.
Physical objects are viewed from the present. The default is that statements are true now.
Physical objects do not have temporal parts.
Different physical objects may coincide.
The object-at-a-point-in-time is the object of primary interest.
To talk about an object at different times it is necessary to time index statements in some way, e.g. X at t. A 3D ontology also has 4D objects in it. These cover activities, such as:
a football match - which clearly has temporal parts such as the first half and the second half,
a living process - a persons life, rather than the physical person passing through time.

6. Which paradigm?
The 3D approach corresponds well with the way that language works. Language has a focus around here, now, you and me as a context, and on the current state of affairs. This leads to efficient communication under the most common circumstances. On the other hand dealing with change is relatively problematic. Simons requires several chapters to explain how objects change over time in a 3D ontology.
What is clear is that the 3D and 4D paradigms cannot be merged into a single canonical approach, since they are contradictory, with one requiring physical objects to have temporal parts, and the other forbidding them.
On the other hand, it appears that what can usefully be said using one paradigm can generally be said using the other.
We chose the 4D paradigm because we found it to be rigorous, and gave a good account of some difficult cases, like replaceable parts.

7. ISO15926-2: Integration Model
Background
Originally the EPISTLE Core Model
Started around 1993
Now at Version 4.5.1
As ISO became an International Standard in 2003.

8. Basic Elements Thing Possible Individual (Spatio-temporal extent)
anything, real or abstract
Note: the supreme supertype
Possible Individual (Spatio-temporal extent)
some part(s) of space-time
Class
collection of things, possibly infinite, where the order is not significant
Relationship
Something one thing has to do with another.

9. Space time map
A particular spatio temporal extent 3D
SPACE
TIME

10. Thing

11. Possible Worlds
Past
Future
Possible
Actual
Desired
Possible

12. Possible Individual
T > 0
S > 0 3D
SPACE
TIME

13. Whole Individual
Plastic
blank
Crushed
plastic
Cup
TIME

14. point in time
period of time
T = 0
T > 0 3D
SPACE
TIME

15. Possible Individual/State – Temporal whole-part
Time
period 3D
SPACE
State
Individual
TIME

16. Materialised Physical Object
event 1
event 2 3D
space B D A C
Time

17. Functional Physical Object/Replaceable Part3D
SPACE
installed
removed
installed
removed
Tag 101
pump 1
pump 2
TIME

18. Objects that Overlap John Jennings Chairman of Shell Space
Mark Moody-Stuart

19. Stream connected disconnected valve valve close open tank A 3D space
hose
tank B
Time
start filling
end filling

20. Individual

21. Activity Activity Performer 3D Performer space Input Input Output
Time

22. Event and Point in Time
Point in time
event 3D
SPACE
T = 0
TIME

23. Temporal Boundary
point in time
event 3D
SPACE
Sub state
TIME

24. Activity and Temporal Boundary

25. Some approaches to Set TheoryB C 1 2 3 4 5 6
Instances may only be a member of only one set
Only one level

26. Some approaches to Set TheoryN X Y Z A B C 1 2 3 4 5 6
Instances may only be a member of only one set
Sets hierarchical (model/meta-model etc)

27. Some approaches to Set TheoryN X Y Z A B C 1 2 3 4 5 6
Instances may only be a member of one or more sets
Sets hierarchical (model/meta-model etc)

28. Some approaches to Set TheoryN X Y Z A B C 1 2 3 4 5 6
Instances may only be a member of one or more sets
Sets not hierarchical (model/meta-model etc)

29. Some approaches to Set TheoryN X Y Z A B C 1 2 3 4 5 6
Instances may only be a member of one or more sets
Sets not hierarchical (model/meta-model etc). Loops allowed

30. Class

31. Class of Individual

32. Organisational Levels
assembly
organism
simple artefact
molecular
atomic
sub-atomic
“fundamental” particle
time

33. Cup Plastic Hydrocarbon molecules atoms arrangement of arrangement of

34. Organisational Levels

35. Information

36. Information

37. Information

38. Summary
A 4D ontology sees physical objects as extended in time as well as space
ISO is a data model that is also a 4D ontology
It uses a possible worlds approach rather than modal logic
Sets are defined by extension

39. Questions?