Object-oriented Knowledge Representation Research Articles

Integrated application model for visual detection of welding quality based on visual neuron under edge-end collaboration

ABSTRACT The traditional ‘end-to-end’ integrated machine-vision application model is limited by high economic costs, as well as by computing power and storage capacity when solving the tasks with high time delay sensitivity and complex inference processes in automated welding quality detection of whole vehicles. To address this problem, a visual neuron was defined as an edge node, and an integrated application model was proposed that incorporated the idea of edge-end collaboration. First, to provide the visual neurons with the edge capability to solve the welding quality visual detection tasks, a multi-level visual knowledge hypergraph was constructed, which decouples and abstracts the knowledge units for the tasks. An object-oriented knowledge representation was used to establish the knowledge hyperedge. Secondly, Petri net technology was employed to analyze the task data flow in the integrated application pattern and establish the solving model N-COPN of ‘control-inference-decision’. Moreover, edge-end data transfer was implemented based on the message queue telemetry transfer protocol and RESTful architecture. Finally, the quality of auto component gluing in the welding process of the vehicle was detected using this model. The experimental results showed that the model performed better in terms of fast-integrated inference and concurrent task processing.

Rapid Design System for Agricultural Machinery Employing Knowledge-Based Engineering: Case Study of A Wheeled Combine Chassis

Abstract. Highlights A knowledge-based rapid design system for combine chassis is proposed. The object-oriented knowledge representation uniformly describes the multi-source heterogeneous design knowledge. The multivariate linear regression analysis ratiocinates further unknown design principles behind existing products. Abstract. In the design of agricultural machinery, the lack of systematic and structured knowledge utilization systems results in low development efficiency and poor reusability of design knowledge. This paper considers the design of a combine chassis, and focuses on the application of knowledge-based rapid design to agricultural machinery. As a typical sophisticated agricultural machine, combines have a complicated design that requires the integration of multiple disciplines according to the crop types, production areas, and ability of the designers. Hence, a knowledge-based design system for a wheeled combine chassis is proposed. By integrating object-oriented technology with a mixed reasoning strategy, multi-source heterogeneous design knowledge can be applied in completing the chassis design task. To date, there are more than 2000 design ideas and 350 parameter models in the knowledge database. In addition, tacit design knowledge acquired by a knowledge discovery method can be employed to perfect the design and improve the reliability of the product. The design of a combine chassis demonstrates that the knowledge-based rapid design of agricultural machinery is completely feasible, and the design system significantly reduces the design workload, shortens the development cycle, and improves design efficiency and knowledge utilization.

A Survey of Knowledge-Based Intelligent Fault Diagnosis Techniques

With the development of information technologies, more and more real-time data can be obtained from production and operation process. Thus, how to extract effective information from these massive data, so as to carry out in-depth statistics and mining of faults, and gradually explore the faults laws and causes are crucial for intelligent factories. In recent years, a variety of statistical learning and data analysis methods have been used in fault diagnosis. Due to the complex structure, multi-source failure and suddenness of the industrial production system, the combination of empirical knowledge and mechanism principles can solve various fault problems. This paper summarizes several commonly used fault diagnosis methods, and focuses on knowledge-based intelligent fault diagnosis, including first-order logic knowledge representation method, production knowledge representation method, framework knowledge representation method, object-oriented knowledge representation method and Semantic-based knowledge representation methods.

Model knowledge matching algorithm for steelmaking casting scheduling

The scheduling model matching of steelmaking casting is a critical process in steel production scheduling. At present, few studies have concentrated on the common feature about the production scheduling model. Applying model matching and knowledge representation to steel production scheduling is rarely reported. In order to meet the increasingly complex production requirements and the time precision control of the intelligent scheduling, the object-oriented knowledge representation method is used to represent the scheduling model and the disturbance events in steelmaking casting process. A model knowledge component and a disturbance events knowledge framework are established in the paper. A distance algorithm and Euclidean distance are used to calculate the matching degree between the model and the disturbance events. A set of examples are analysed, the result shows that the algorithm can quickly match the steelmaking casting scheduling model and the disturbance events, and improve the accuracy and efficiency of the model matching.

Construction of Geological Knowledge-based Systems of Railway Route Selection

According to the diversity of geological conditions involved in railway location design, different types of geological objects were classified and indexed, and proposed the modeling method based on multiple sub-bases. It used the computer's internal and external representation in geological knowledge representation. In computer external, it used object-oriented class-rules knowledge representation model, added credibility to the object-oriented knowledge representation model, and then achieved fuzzy representation of knowledge. In order to achieve visual representation of external knowledge representation, text, images and three-dimensional virtual reality technology were used. According to the ambiguity of geological knowledge, it realized uncertainty reasoning of the part based on rule condition and conclusions.

Object-oriented Knowledge Modelling for Conceptual Design of Mechanisms

Conceptual design is an early stage of the whole mechanical product development process, which is a problem-solving activity based on knowledge engineering. Designers often have difficulty in fulfilling complex product designs due to the lack of sufficient product design knowledge. This paper is devoted to presenting a systematic object-oriented knowledge modeling for conceptual design of mechanisms. After object-oriented knowledge representation strategy is introduced, the object-oriented inheritance relationship of mechanisms is discussed in detail, and then the design catalogue for conceptual design of mechanisms is also put forward. Knowledge modeling for conceptual design of mechanisms, including function knowledge modeling, mechanism unit knowledge modeling, mapping knowledge modeling, is discussed step by step. A computer aided mechanism conceptual design software system is developed, and the system implementation of above knowledge base is proposed. The pipe racking system for the oil drilling platform is given as an example, which demonstrates that the object-oriented knowledge modelling methodology is obviously helpful for mechanical product conceptual design of mechanisms.

Automatically Transforming Object-Oriented Graph-Based Representations Into Boolean Satisfiability Problems for Computational Design Synthesis

Ever since computers have been used to support human designers, a variety of representations have been used to encapsulate engineering knowledge. Computational design synthesis (CDS) approaches utilize this knowledge to generate design candidates for a specified task. However, new approaches are required to enable systematic solution space exploration. This paper presents an approach that combines a graph-based object-oriented knowledge representation with first-order logic and Boolean satisfiability. This combination is used as the foundation for a generic automated approach for requirement-driven computational design synthesis. Available design building blocks and a design task defined through a set of requirements are modeled in a graph-based environment and then automatically transferred into a Boolean satisfiability problem and solved, considering a given solution size. The Boolean solution is automatically transferred back to the graph-based domain. The method is validated through two case studies: synthesis of automotive powertrains and chemical process synthesis for ethyl alcohol production. The contribution of the paper is a new method that is able to determine if an engineering task is solvable for a given set of synthesis building blocks and enables systematic solution space exploration.

Architecture Design and Realization for Virtual Manufacturing Oriented CAPP System

In order to realize high efficiency and high integration of the virtual manufacturing system and strengthen the integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM, the paper presents the architecture of virtual manufacturing oriented CAPP system and its realizing method. The method of parts information input is used for the system to connect with CAD directly. The system utilizes object-oriented knowledge representation method and database technology, establishes process knowledge database and carries on the effective management. Using the idea of modular, the virtual processing information can be fed back to design system in real-time, the process can be optimized it and form a closed loop CAPP system by using genetic algorithm. The virtual manufacturing technology of CAPP system enhances the design level and quality and improves the flexibility, scalability and dynamic adaptability of CAPP system.

Mechanical Products Conceptual Innovation Design by Application of Enhanced Genetic Algorism

Currently, the mechanical products assistance design systems mainly focus on the detailed design and the function of mathematics models are often been neglected. In order to solve these problems, a application of mechanical products conceptual design is studied using Enhanced Genetic Algorithm (EGA) in this paper. The conceptual design system is established based on Object-oriented Knowledge representation, and at last a design case of conceptual innovation design is given.

The Application of Knowledge Representation on the Design of Loading Device of Garbage Truck

To meet the requirement of mass customization of garbage truck, knowledge engineering plays an important part in modern garbage truck design. As the basis of knowledge engineering application, the principles of common knowledge representation methods were analyzed in detail, and the application places of different knowledge representation methods were presented in the paper. Finally, examples of production knowledge representation, sate space representation, object-oriented knowledge representation, and semantic network-based knowledge representation were introduced independently to show the feasibility of applying these methods on the design of loading device of garbage truck.

New Matter Element System AND\OR Net Models and Relevant Extension Reasoning of Product Conceptual Design

New matter element system AND\OR models of product conceptual design are respectively constructed based on the matter element system theory, which are convenient for computer representation. Rich relevant extension reasoning for product conceptual design is proposed. This paper argues that the matter element system AND\OR net model of production conceptual design not only has the ability to represent the object-oriented knowledge representation method but also has a relatively high ability to represent the process of conceptual design and innovative design. It is expected that the ICAD systems developed based on these models and reasoning can support product conceptual design.

A knowledge-based system for cost modelling of aircraft gas turbines

This paper presents a novel technique for representing cost information of a candidate design. The underlying principle is to provide a knowledge-based system for cost modelling that makes the cost effects of design decisions more visible and quickly available to the designer. The development of a hybrid between hierarchical trees and object-oriented knowledge representation environment to represent cost information is shown. The development of an abstract product structure, reusable tree object libraries and an automated system to extract design information needed for estimation from computer-assisted design geometry is discussed. It is shown how the tool provides fast incremental cost fluctuations in response to changes in component geometry. This paper also considers the uncertain quantities present in cost models and analyses cost risk. A case study demonstrating the research applied to a Rolls-Royce aircraft gas turbine engine component is presented.

Design expert system tool with hybrid knowledge representation and reasoning

According to the characteristics and requirements for design expert systems, this paper describes a Design Expert System Tool (DEST) with hybrid knowledge representation and reasoning. The main goal is to provide an effective and convenient development environment of expert system for design domains. It adopts the technique of object oriented knowledge representation, which integrates frame, rule and procedure. For each knowledge representation, different inference engines are designed. Inductive reasoning and Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) are combined to form a hybrid inference engine. For improving the quality of case retrieval, it presents a new method of attribute similarity calculation and weight assigning. Moreover, it provides a visualisation knowledge management platform for expert and designer to build and apply expert systems.

Object-oriented knowledge representation and discovery of human chewing behaviours

Mastication is a complex process influenced by numerous factors including those associated with an individual and the ingested food. Human chewing behaviour can be characterised by measuring mandibular movements and muscular activities during a masticatory sequence or by measuring the particle size distribution and rheological characteristics of the swallowed food mass. To constructively understand the mastication process and assess the mastication performance, a formal description of the chewing behaviour is proposed in this paper. An object-oriented model is developed and described in Unified Modelling Language (UML). The chewing behaviour model is composed of three objects, one for the jaw's physiological apparatus, one for the properties defining the mastication process and foods being chewed, and a further one for the association of the properties. A complete representation of the chewing behaviour is achieved by linking three object models via an additional class for chewing data that is collected experimentally. With the object model, the chewing behaviour is further instantiated by discovering knowledge hidden in the chewing database by data mining. A case study is presented to show the procedure of how the hidden knowledge is discovered and the data mining results are interpreted in the context of food science.

Ontologies and Semantic Web Technologies to Support Knowledge-Based Transformation and Decision Support

This article describes how semantic web technologies and here ontologies in particular, can support multinational and multi-agency knowledge representation. To this end, model integration and the typically associated with integration problem classes are described. Then, distributed modeling is presented from expert and standard-models perspective, as well as general clustering of common concepts is presented. This is achieved by means of inheritance as known from Object-Oriented Knowledge Representation Systems, used at different levels of abstraction. In addition to the integration facet, new standard languages for the definition of flexible and context-dependent structures, as well as reasoning over these, are briefly introduced and examples of their application are given. As the focal point of this work a Framework for the generic Integration of Structured IT Systems (ISITS) is described, which makes possible the structural and instance integration of systems, using both syntactic as well as semantic means for integration. In conclusion, the applicability of the ISITS-Framework is outlined by enabling EBO-specific planning support. This article focuses more on providing an overview. Details can be found in other publications or projects published by the authors.

Modelling of manufacturing activities by process planning knowledge representation

Process planning is one of the key activities for product design and manufacturing. Impact of process plans on all phases of product design and manufacture requires high level of interaction of different activities and tight integration of them into coherent system. In this paper we describe a model for manufacturing activities that allows integration. The framework for integration is briefly described and the manufacturing process model that considers three dimensions of planning is explained. Than an object-oriented knowledge representation approach is presented with module for parts modeling and module for generation of process plan. Description of machining process entities and their relationships with features, machines and tools are provided. The benefits of the proposed representation, which include connection with geometric model, reduced search space and alternative plan generation, are discussed. These new contributions provide for a new generation of CAPP systems that can be adapted for various manufacturing systems and can be integrated with other CIM modules. (Received in October 2005, accepted in February 2006. This paper was with the authors 2 months for 2 revisions.)

Knowledge Based Total Quality Management: Three Areas of Application

Total Quality Management (TQM) principles and methods try to improve the overall performance of an enterprise or organization. Knowledge Based Systems (KBS) can support Total Quality Management procedures by organizing, storing and processing TQM knowledge and both rule-based and object-oriented knowledge representation structures and reasoning can be used for these applications. Three interesting cases concerning the application of KB systems in TQM will be presented in this paper: a)Statistical process quality control reasoning using knowledge based systems, b)Knowledge based decision support systems for quality circles, and c)Knowledge based Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and software design.

Achieving Interoperability in a Multiple-Security- Policies Environment

The interoperability problems that emerge when information systems cooperate, are often attributed to incompatible security policies. In this paper, we introduce a systemic framework for achieving interoperability when multiple security policies are employed. First, we present a Metapolicy Development System (MDS) for the resolution of interoperability problems caused by incompatible security policies. Then we provide a policy framework and a metapolicy framework to serve as conceptual devices in the application of the MDS. Finally, we examine the possibility of developing software tools to support the MDS. We argue that a policy repository may serve as the basic component of a software tool for the management of multiple security policies and the application of the MDS. The policy repository is implemented in Telos, an object-oriented knowledge representation language.

Intelligent GIS: Architectural Issues and Implementation Methods

The paper presents an intelligent GIS architecture that enables us to extend GIS func- tionality by using domain specific knowledge and inference engine. In this architecture, an intelli- gent agent monitors events, which occur in the GIS environment, and execute tasks depending on user's actions. The intelligent agent includes an expert system shell and knowledge base. A hybrid knowledge representation method is used that integrates rule-based, object-oriented, and procedural knowledge representations.

An approach to legal reasoning based on a hybrid decision-support system

This paper describes argument structures to generate plausible explanations for the conclusions reached by rule-based reasoning (RBR), and provides a means of integrating with case-based reasoning (CBR). The area of application is a legal domain, for which a hybrid RBR–CBR knowledge-based system was built. An underlying object-oriented knowledge representation scheme provides a means of modelling both the structural relationships among knowledge entities (i.e. rules and cases) and the control structures among them. Legal reports of previously-decided cases are used as a knowledge source for the CBR part of the system. An argumentation facility is presented, for each predicted rule-based outcome, based on Toulmin's argument structures to provide support via justifications. The framework of similarity for the case base side is based on a model which exploits the fuzzy proximity relations. Retrieved cases are used to help the decision-maker in formulating the final outcome of a new case (whose similarity with the retrieved cases is determined from fuzzy proximity relations). The system is also capable of providing justification of the case selection process.