Support function and objecting function, a new viewpoint to the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence

A new evidence model based on support function and objecting function is introduced by generalizing Dempster-Shafer theory into all open frame of discernment. Through a thorough exploration of the properties of the support function and objecting function, it is shown that this model provides a more direct and natural way for the representation of evidence and the understanding of the Dempster's rule of combination than the belief function model. The possibility to generalize this model to the closed frame is also discussed.