Prototypes and Production Rules: A Knowledge Representation for Computer Consultations.
Abstract
This thesis presents a system called CENTAUR, which demonstrates the effectiveness of representing prototypical knowledge in a combination of frames and production rules for performing computer consultations. Key knowledge representation and control structure problems in production rule systems similar to MYCIN are identified, and a set of important characteristics of the structures used for representing problem-solving knowledge is given. CENTAUR's frames, or prototypes, complement the production rules to satisfy these characteristics and represent expected patterns of data that permit a more focused, hypothesis-directed approach to problem solving. Among the characteristics identified as desirable in the representation structures are the ability to explicitly represent (a) prototypical cases, (b) the context in which knowledge is applied, and (c) the strategies for applying that knowledge. CENTAUR's prototypes consist of patterns of knowledge in the domain which serve as broad contexts, guiding the more detailed processing of the production rules. Strategies for the consultation, or control knowledge, are represented in the prototypes separately from other kinds of domain knowledge. This allows the domain expert to specify control knowledge that is specific to each prototype. Examples are presented which demonstrate how this explicit representation facilitates explanations of the system's reasoning. Further, the organization of knowledge in CENTAUR provides a useful framework for acquiring new knowledge.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA091177
Entities
People
- Janice S. Aikins
Organizations
- Stanford University