JPH04503125A - Modular Black Boat Base Expert System - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] field of invention The present invention relates to rule-based expert systems.

Background of the invention Generally, an expert system consists of a knowledge base, a working area, and a control part. , that is, it has an interface encun.

A knowledge base is a set of production rules and/or procedures. It has knowledge expressed in the form of combinations. The working area is ``Blackbow''. This is also called a system It can be established early in the operation of the system during the procedure. control part is a set of implementations that process rules or procedures that interact with the contents of the working area. Controls system operation in row cycles.

Production rules generally consist of two parts. That is, in general, the rule “ The state portion that is recognized as the ``left-hand side,'' and generally referred to as the ``right-hand side'' of the rule. This is an action list, that is, a result list that is recognized as a result. The condition part is black recognize one or more conditions that would be satisfied by the facts in the code I can do it. Action lists include adding facts on the blackboard, start or transform, send a message to an operator, stop a run cycle, and can specify one or more actions related to the system. It is Noh. A rule fires when the conditions in the state part of the rule are met. In such a case, the control part does not perform the specified action in the action list. Execute.

A procedure is essentially a computer program that, during its execution cycle, Define a sequence of steps or actions to be performed.

For example, procedures include storing facts in a blackboard, sending messages to an operator, and so on. 1 taken in relation to the system, such as sending a page or stopping a run cycle. It is possible to specify one or more actions.

Summary of the invention The present invention provides a new and improved expert system.

Specifically, an expert system uses a blackboard, multiple knowledge sources, and controls. Includes knowledge source and control module. Blackboard during run cycle Store facts used in Each knowledge source is a fact in the blackboard. Contains rules for performing selected actions related to events. control knowledge A knowledge source contains selection rules for choosing among knowledge sources. execution size A control module that executes a program recognizes one or more knowledge sources. The eligibility determination phase (eligibility determination phase) on phase), the control to select one of the recognized knowledge sources. knowledge source selection phase (know) using the rules in the knowledge source selection phase; ledge 5source 5election) phase), and the selected Contains an action phase for processing the rules of the knowledge source that was created.

Brief description of the drawing The invention is pointed out by the features in the claims. The above-mentioned advantages and disadvantages of the present invention are further The advantages of proceeding can be better understood by referring to the detailed description below along with the attached drawings. It may be possible to deepen the

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an expert system constructed according to the present invention. Ru.

is a flowchart that is useful in understanding how the system works.

Detailed description of examples FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an expert system constructed according to the present invention. Ru. As can be seen with reference to FIG. Multiple sources of knowledge ranging from IIN (commonly recognized by reference number 11) ), control knowledge rule base 12, rule base 13, and procedure base 14. All of them are controlled by a control module 15. According to custom, The system shown in FIG. indicates a computer program, and the computer is under the control of an operator. It includes underlying processor elements, memory elements, and input/output elements.

The blackboard 10 is shared by other functional elements of the system as described below. Consists of the area of computer memory that is held.

Blackboard 10 is divided into multiple sub-parts, which are 16(0) or Recognized as level 16 (N) (commonly recognized by the reference number 16) has been done.

Rule base 13 includes one or more production rules. Professional A reduction rule generally has two parts, including a state part and an action or result part. consists of parts. Specifically, the condition part, also known as the "left hand side" Describes one or more conditions. Each state is in the blackboard IO relates to one or more facts that may exist in If the facts in the blackboard IO indicate that the condition is satisfied, then The rule is called "fire." If the rule is fire, then action The specified part is transformed and added to the blackboard or there. It can be deleted from In addition, the actions recognized in the action part of the rule The action sends the message to the operator to the input/output of the computer. It can be specified through elements.

Furthermore, actions are taken in relation to system operations, such as starting and ending operations. There is one procedure base 14 that specifies the selected control action. or more procedures, each of which represents a set of procedures to be taken. Establish. Actions include adding, deleting, or transforming selected facts. It is possible to specify actions to be taken in relation to facts in Blackboard 10. , and messages sent to the operator through computer input/output elements. You can specify operations such as the start or end of an operation. Specifying selected control actions to be taken in relation to system operation I can also do it.

Knowledge source 11 provides information on the selection and/or procedure of particular rules within rule base 13. Contains information that controls procedures within the base 14.

First, specific applications that may be used within the system shown in Figure 1. In terms of used in conjunction with and in conjunction with other features. Applications with which knowledge sources 11 collaborate Regarding the application part, the knowledge source 11 includes rules and/or Or, the procedure in the procedure base 14 can be translated into an application in which the knowledge source 11 collaborates. I recognize that it is related to the above part of the project. Rules related to the application part The knowledge source 11 is referred to as "action procedure" and "knowledge source 11 is the knowledge source 11." rules and/or procedure bases within the rule base 13 that recognize the knowledge source 11; 14 as working with a specific part of the application. I recognize that.

These rules and procedures are referred to herein as “eligible rules” and “eligible procedures,” respectively. It's called "Ki".

Finally, the control knowledge rule base 12 has two or more knowledge sources 11 Conflicts between knowledge sources 11 can be avoided when specific parts of the Contains rules to solve the problem. That is, more than one knowledge source 11 is control knowledge rule base 12 is applied if it is cooperating with a part of the One of the knowledge sources 11 that should be used is selected.

For example, in one embodiment, the system shown in FIG. the desired operating characteristics of the circuit given by the operator and used to perform redesign operations on electrical circuit designs based on the differences between It is possible to In this example, the facts on the blackboard 10 are , including electrical circuit elements and their interconnections, and simulated operating characteristics. and desired operating characteristics. Action rules and actions from various knowledge sources 11 The deletion procedure includes, for example, deletion or blackout from the blackboard 10. It is possible to recognize elements to be added to the board 10 and also to simulate To correct any inherent discrepancies between the delayed and desired operating characteristics, It is also possible to allow the interconnections between the elements to be changed.

On the other hand, depending on the eligibility rules and procedures of each knowledge source 11, each knowledge source It is possible to ensure that the simulated operating characteristics and the desired operating characteristics are recognized. come. The multiple knowledge sources 11 are defined by their respective eligibility rules and procedures. Useful for correcting discrepancies and controlling knowledge rule base 1 as shown The rules in 2 make it possible to select a particular knowledge source 11.

After selecting the knowledge source 11, the control module 15 actually executes the redesign operation. use action rules and/or action procedures to

In the execution cycle, the control module 15 performs three phases, each consisting of three phases. 1 controls other parts of the system shown in Figure 1. During the first phase, the control module Module 15 recognizes the knowledge sources 11 that are associated with specific parts of the application. Understand. In this operation, the control module 15 controls the rules in the rule base 13 and / or use procedures within the procedural base 14, which all knowledge They are recognized by the knowledge source 11 as a qualified rule and a qualified procedure, respectively. Before In the above example, during the first phase, the control module 15 controls the knowledge sources 11, It concerns the discrepancy between the simulated and desired operating characteristics of an electrical circuit. This means recognizing that the That is.

After the first phase, the control module 15 advances to the second phase, where the control module selects the knowledge source 11 using the knowledge source selection rules in the control knowledge rule base 12 Select one. After the control module 15 selects the knowledge source 11, Proceeding to the third phase, the control module performs the actions recognized by the knowledge source 11. use application rules and/or action procedures. In the example above, the third During the phase, the control module 15 uses the knowledge source to complete the execution cycle. Action rules and/or actions in the rule base 13 recognized by the process 11 Perform the redesign operation enabled by the action procedure in continuation base 14 That is to say.

After the execution cycle, the application, including the expert system described in Figure 1, Other elements of the system include adding facts in the blackboard 10 and can be modified or modified, and the control module can be You can run the cycle.

As mentioned above, the knowledge source 11 includes rules and/or procedures within the rule base 13. Recognize procedures within the base 14. The elements within the knowledge source are similar. This is why only one knowledge source, IIN, has been described in detail. .

Knowledge source 11 has source level attribute 19 and destination level Contains a set of attributes such as Lua Attribute 20, which are Together, knowledge sources 11 are associated with levels 16 within the blackboard IO.

The source level attribute recognizes level 16 in the blackboard lO. The control module 15 processes rules and procedures associated with the knowledge source 11. It obtains the facts that are used to Furthermore, as mentioned above, the action Rules and action procedures can be added to facts in the blackboard IO. , can be transformed or deleted, and can also be used to create a destination level. Tribute 20 is level 16 within Blackboard 10 where these functions occur. recognize. .

The knowledge source 11 also includes an action attribute set 21 and a qualifying attribute set 21. It also contains two sets of attributes such as attribute set 22, which is the rules and procedure base 1 in the rule base 13 collaborated with the knowledge source 11 It is directed towards the association of procedures within 4. action attributes Set 21 includes action rule pointer 23, action procedure pointer 25 and and action rule strategy pointer 26. action rule point The data 23 points to the action rule pointer list 24.

The action rule pointer list is a rule base collaborated with knowledge source 11. Contains a pointer to the action rule in 13. Aku937 procedure point The printer 25 indicates an action procedure within the procedure base 14. one particular characteristic In another embodiment, the action procedure pointer 25 is set if the action rule The pointer 23 is pointed to by the entity or action rule pointer 23. If the current action rule pointer list 24 is not empty, it is empty. (that is, it does not contain a pointer to an action procedure).

Finally, the action rule strategy pointer 26 is the action rule that determines the order. refers to a set of 27 scheduling rules, in which order The action rule recognized by the action rule pointer list 24 is executed. It is used by control module 15 during the third phase of the cycle.

Action rule scheduling rule 27 implements conflicts in action rules. Resolve effectively. Action rule scheduling by application Rule 27 is an action rule recognized by the action rule pointer list. allowing only one or several of the tools to be used. Or they could all be used in a particular order. You may do so.

Similarly, the eligible attribute set 22 includes an eligible rule pointer 30, an eligible procedure It includes a pointer 32 and an eligible rules strategy pointer 33. Eligibility rule The rule pointer 30 points to the eligible rule pointer list 31. Eligible rule poi The interviewer directs the knowledge source 11 to the eligible rules in the rule base 13 that cooperate with the knowledge source 11. Contains a pointer. Eligible procedure pointer 32 points to an eligible procedure pointer in procedure base 14. It refers to the procedure. In one particular embodiment, the eligible procedure pointer 3 2 indicates that the eligible rule pointer 30 is set by Envy or the eligible rule pointer 30. If the eligible rule pointer list 31 pointed to by (i.e., it does not contain a pointer to a qualified procedure).

Finally, the eligible rule strategy pointer 33 is the eligible rule schedule that determines the order. refers to a set of 34 ring rules, in which order the eligible rule points Eligible rules recognized by investor 31 in the third phase of the execution cycle. It is used by the control module 15 in between. Eligibility rule scheduling Grules 34 effectively resolve conflicts between eligible rules. to the application Therefore, the eligible rule scheduling rule 34 is the eligible rule pointer list 3. Only one or several of the eligibility rules recognized by 1 may be used. or they can all be used in a particular order. It is possible to make it possible to do so. Knowledge source 11 is action Although it includes a rule pointer list 24 and an eligible rule pointer list 31, Actual action rules and eligibility rules provided in a single rule base 13 Therefore, if there is an action rule in rule base 13. In other words, if a qualifying rule collaborates with many knowledge sources 11, the rule can be It does not need to be replicated between sources 11. Furthermore, action rules and eligibility rules in a common rule base to reduce maintenance and This makes it easier to update the rules as desired. Also included in knowledge source 11 The scheduling rules shown in FIG. The pointer may be placed in element 27 and and 34.

Against this background, the control modules related to the system shown in Fig. The operations initiated by step 15 are explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C. ing. As mentioned above, the actions initiated by control module 15 are It is in the form of a movement phase. The first phases are 100 to 107 and 11 Consisting of steps 0 to 111 (Figure 2), the control module 15 Eligibility rules and/or eligibility procedures defined by attribute set 22 is used to qualify the various knowledge sources 11.

The second phase consists of steps 120 to 126 (Figure 2B) and includes control module The rules 15 use the rules in the control knowledge rule base 12 to Select one of them. Finally, the third phase is 130 to 137 and 140 The control module 15 controls the action of the selected knowledge source 11. Action rules and/or actions defined by attribute set 21 procedure.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in the first phase, the control module 15 first 11 (step 100) and the knowledge source 11 is selected during the second phase. Connected eligibility rules or or has a qualifying procedure. If the eligible rule pointer and If the rule pointer list 31 is not an entity, the knowledge source 11 is an eligible rule. , but if you have an eligible rule pointer or an eligible rule pointer list If any of 31 is an entity, knowledge source 11 is eligible for knowledge source 11. It has a connected eligibility procedure that is used to determine the

In this way, the eligible rule pointer 30 or the eligible rule pointer list 31 If neither of them is an entity (step 101), the control module will step Proceeding to 102, where the eligible rule recognized by the eligible rule pointer 30 is The pointers in the tool pointer list 31 are used to determine the eligibility of the knowledge source 11. It recognizes the eligible rules in the rule base 13 that apply. The control module 15 Then, any eligible rule pointed to by knowledge source 11 fires. Either state of any eligible rule to determine whether Determine whether the part is satisfied by the facts on the blackboard 10 do. In this operation, the control module 15 controls the source level of the knowledge source 11. Facts in level 16 of the blackboard recognized by attribute 19 Use If the condition of any eligible rule is not satisfied, the control module The process proceeds to step 110.

All eligible rules pointed to by knowledge source 11 are in a firing state. If there is, i.e. any of those state parts is is satisfied, the control module 15 then sets only one eligible rule. only one eligible rule is in firing state, or multiple eligible rules are in firing state. Determine if you are eligible for Only one eligible rule If the earring is present, the control module 15 proceeds to step 106. on the other hand, If more than one eligible rule is in a firing state, the control module Eligible rules recognized for firing by strategy pointer 33 recognized eligible rule schedules to select one or more of the rules. Ring rule 34 is used (step 105).

After step 104 or 105, the control module 15 points to the eligible rule point. one or more eligible rules in rulebase 13 pointed to by target 31 After selecting the knowledge source 11, it recognizes the knowledge source 11 as eligible and therefore The selected rule is fired (step 106). selected in this operation. For each rule set, the control module 15 includes a destination level attribute. Knowledge sources on the blackboard lO within the level recognized by Butte 20 While loading 11 recognitions, the action specified in the action list in the rule execute the action.

Returning to step 101, the control module 15 controls the eligibility rule or the eligibility rule. If it is determined that any of the pointer lists 31 is empty (step 101), the knowledge source 11 is the qualified procedure pointer 32, and the knowledge source 11 Specify an eligible procedure within the procedure base to determine eligibility. Therefore, the control module Rule 15 is a blackboard recognized by source level attribute 19 The facts in level 16 of 10 are used to process recognized procedures. eligible During processing of the procedure, the control module 15 controls the destination attribute 2 Recognition of knowledge sources 11 on level 16 of blackboard 10 recognized by 0 can be loaded. After execution of the qualified procedure, the control module 15 Proceed to step 110.

After steps 103, 104, or 107, the control module 15 Proceeding to step 110, where it is determined whether all knowledge sources 11 have been qualified. Set. If not determined, select another knowledge source 11 and step Return to 101. Also, if eligibility is determined by all knowledge sources 11, eligibility is determined by all knowledge sources 11. While selecting one of the knowledge sources 11, proceeding to the second phase of the execution cycle. nothing.

More specifically, during the second phase, the control module 15 first If any of the knowledge sources 11 are recognized on the blackboard IO as eligible, (step 120).

If not, the control module uses an executable to terminate the run cycle. (Step 121). A knowledge source 11 is blacked out as eligible. If it is recognized on the computer board 10 (step 122'), the control module 15 specifies the knowledge source 11 recognized as selected (Step 123) ), and then proceeds to the third phase (step 130). Following step 122 The control module 15 allows the blackboard IO to qualify the plurality of knowledge sources 11. It is determined whether it is recognized as such (step 124). If not This means that an error has occurred and the control module exits. (Step 125).

However, if the control module 15 in step 124 If it is determined that the class 11 has been recognized as eligible on the blackboard, then This is the knowledge recognized on the blackboard 10 for use during the third phase. Use control knowledge rule base 12 to select one of sources 11 (Step 126). Each rule in the control knowledge rule base 12 has one It has a state part that recognizes knowledge sources 11 or more, and the control module 15, the information in the knowledge sources 11 recognized in the status section on the blackboard 10 is shown. It is possible to recognize one and thus select the knowledge source 11.

In this way, at the end of the second phase, either step 123 or 126 What follows in either case is that the control module 15 On the code 10, one of the knowledge sources 11 is recognized as selected. That is true.

During the third phase, the control module 15 controls the knowledge software selected during the second phase. 11. And especially the actions recognized by Action Attribute Set 21. action rules and/or action procedures (Figure 1) on a blackboard. Applies to facts in O. In the third phase, the control module 15 first First, the action pointer 23 or the action pointer list is entered. step 130), and if so, take action. 912 procedure in the procedure base 14 recognized by the procedure pointer 25 (Step 131). In executing the action procedure, the control module The module 15 is recognized by the source level attribute 19 of the knowledge source 11. Use the facts in level 16 of the Blackboard IO to Level 16 of Blackboard 10 recognized by Attribute 20 You can add, delete, and/or transform facts within come. Additionally, or during the processing of the action procedure, the control module 15 send messages to controllers and/or perform control actions related to the system. go After executing the action procedure, the control module 15 exits ( Step 132).

If in step 130 the control module 15 It is determined that both 3 and action rule pointer rule list are not entities. If so, the process advances to step 133. In step 133 the control module 15 is the action pointed to by the contents of the action rule pointer list 24, i.e. those actions in the rule base 13 pointed to by the rule pointer 23; Recognize rules. After recognizing the action rule, the control module 15 determine whether any of them are in a firing state, i.e., which source level attribute) in the blackboard IO recognized by 19 Determine whether you have a state part filled by facts in level 16. It is. In particular, the action rules are specified in Rubel 16 in Blackboard IO. and the control module 15 can have a state part that recognizes the Action rules such as It determines whether the device is in a condition for firing.

After recognizing that the action rule is in the firing state, the control module If step 15 is reached, the process proceeds to step 134. In step 134, control module 1 5 determines that none of the Axene rules are in the firing state, and If so, proceed to step 134 to exit. If which action An error occurs when the rule is not in the firing state. because knowledge The application of knowledge source 11 is due to the eligibility rule to indicate that source 11 is eligible. The least of the action rules pointed to by the action rule pointer list This is because one of them should be fire.

On the other hand, if control module 15 detects at least one active If it is determined that the condition of the action rule is satisfied, the condition of multiple action rules is Proceed to step 136 to determine if the condition is satisfied. if Otherwise, only one single action rule condition is satisfied. For some reason, control module 15 performs step 14 to fire the rule. Proceed to 0. Control module 15 performs a plurality of actions in step 136. If it is determined that the rule condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 137. step At 137, control module 15 executes an action routine for firing. Axis rule strategy to select one or more of the rules. Action rule scheduling rule 27 recognized by pointer 26 , and the action to be fired if multiple action rules are to be selected. use the order of action rules. Following step 137, control module 1 5 to fire the selected action rule and end the execution cycle Proceed to step 140. After step 140, control module 15 performs another Return to step 100 to start the cycle (step 141).

The system illustrated in Figures 1 and 2A-2B has a number of advantages. Ru. Knowledge that is separate and isolated from the rule base 13 and control module 15 Providing a source 11 and a control knowledge rule base 12 is used by the system. helps you modularize your system according to your application. . Because diverse knowledge sources 11 are working with different parts of the application , the system is easy to update and maintain, because the updated system This is because it is necessary to transform and update only the knowledge sources connected to the parts of the system. be. Furthermore, the division of Blackboard 16 into 16 levels is related to the rules. It is useful for modularizing facts as objects.

The foregoing description is limited to specific embodiments of the invention. However However, various modifications and transformations may be made to the present invention and some or all of the advantages of the present invention may be achieved. It is clear that we will move forward. Therefore, the purpose of adding the claims is to clarify the true intention of the present invention. Covers all the various deformations or modulations that occur anywhere or within a range. That is to say.

Figure 1 Figure 2B Figure 2C

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1)A. A blackboard for memorizing facts; B. Blackbow and means for determining a selected action to be performed in relation to said fact in the code. multiple knowledge sources and C. a controlling knowledge source including means for determining a selection between said knowledge sources; D. Qualification determination phase for recognizing one or more knowledge sources, prior to the selection within the control knowledge source to select one of the recognized knowledge sources; a knowledge source selection phase using a selection means; and an action phase for processing the actions that define the means. An expert system characterized by comprising a control means for executing.