Actions and Events in Interval Temporal Logic.

Abstract

We present a representation of events and action based on interval temporal logic that is significantly more expressive and more natural than most previous Al approaches. The representation is motivated by work in natural language semantics and discourse, temporal logic, and Al planning and plan recognition. The formal basis of the representation is presented in detail, from the axiomatization of time periods to the relationship between actions and events and their effects. The power of the representation is illustrated by applying it to the axiomatization and solution of several standard problems from the Al literature on action and change. An approach to the frame problem based on explanation closure is shown to be both powerful and natural when combined with our representational frame work. We also discuss features of the logic that are beyond the scope of many traditional representations, and describe our approach to difficult problems such as external events and simultaneous actions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA289890

Entities

People

  • George Ferguson
  • James F. Allen

Organizations

  • University of Rochester

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • C4I

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Causal Reasoning
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Intervals
  • Language
  • Linguistics
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Natural Language Understanding
  • Natural Languages
  • Ontologies
  • Reasoning
  • Standards
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design