Sensor-Based Decision Making in Uncertain Context
Decision makers, whether human or computer, using sensor networks to instrument information collecting necessary for decision, often face difficulties in assessing confidence granted to signals transmitted and received in the network. Several organizational (network architecture or nature, distance between sensors ...), internal (sensor reliability or accuracy ...) or external (impact of environment ...) factors can lead to measurement errors (false alarm, non-detection by misinterpretation of the analyzed signals, false-negative …). A system-embedded intelligence is then necessary, to compare the information received for the purpose of decision aiding based on margin of errors converted in confidence intervals. In this chapter, the authors present four complementary approaches to quantify the interpretation of signals exchanged in a network of sensors in the presence of uncertainty.