A generic Architecture for local Computation

Valuation algebras are known to present a common roof over various applications out of different domains of research. In combination with the power of local computation it offers a possibility to solve inference problems in an efficient way. Implementing concretely these concepts by instantiating a valuation algebra means loosing the high level of abstraction. This paper presents a generic realization of local computation based on an abstract representation of valuation algebras in practice. The developing process itself results in a piece of software implementing local computation independently from any instantiation of valuation algebras. A further level of abstraction according to the architecture of local computation allows to integrate different architecture types each one taking advantage of additional properties of the valuation algebra instance. For illustration purposes, the realization of a famous medical example will guide through the chapters.