Use Of Knowledge-based Systems Research Articles

Uncertainty management with imprecise knowledge with application to design

Uncertainty management is critical to the effective use of knowledge-based systems in a wide variety of domains. Design is typical of these domains in that the implementation of a design in an artifact, the future environment for the artifact, and the component characteristics of the artifact are all uncertain. Existing probabilistic schemes to address the inherent uncertainty in areas like design assume precise knowledge of the probabilities of relevant events. This paper defines a probabilistic method for uncertainty management with imprecise inputs. The approach combines Bayesian inference networks and information theoretic inference procedures. The resulting scheme manages both imprecision and uncertainty in the problem domain. An application of the approach to materiel design is described.

Knowledge-based systems as operational aids in power system restoration

The background of power system restoration is analyzed and how this process might benefit from the use of knowledge-based systems is discussed. After describing the state of the art of knowledge-based systems for power system restoration, efforts are made to review knowledge-based techniques to handle system restoration problems. The experiences of system development are reported and evaluation of the systems is addressed. Some needed technological innovations are listed that are required before knowledge-based systems can extensively be applied to power system restoration. >

The use of knowledge-based systems in evaluation and enhancement of maintenance routines

For large industrial organisations, a considerable saving in operations costs can be achieved through improving the effectiveness of the maintenance function. Special considerations, though, have to be given to the design of the maintenance software aimed at assisting with the evaluation and enhancement of the established routines for large technical systems. In this paper a knowledge-based approach is proposed. The essential features of such intelligent systems and the main technical characteristics such as data pattern recognition and model selection are discussed.

Financial control of public- and private- sector construction projects in Singapore

The financial control of construction projects is an integral part of effective project management. The subject has benefited from a number of advances in theory and techniques that have resulted from research. These have included value engineering, lifecycle costing, elemental cost planning, cost modelling, buildability, and the use of knowledge-based systems. Limitations to the use of these techniques often arise owing to a short-term view of construction being taken, the one-off nature of buildings, and the lack of continuous workloads. The paper describes two case-study financial-control systems from the public and private sectors in Singapore. It then evaluates them against a critical framework of effective practice developed in the paper. The paper describes the limitations of the two systems, and suggests how they could be improved.

Improving the Use of Knowledge-Based Systems with Explanations

Improving the Use of Knowledge-Based Systems with Explanations

The use of knowledge-based systems for PCB testing and repair

Abstract Based on a standardized, product- and production-independent concept and realization for factory automation, this paper presents a fault location and elimination concept using knowledge-based systems for the purpose of automating quality control procedures (CAQ) in printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. The goal of this concept is to achieve an uninterrupted flow of information in both directions, to and from the manufacturing environment, and data supported work processes. Besides the measurement test of the product performed by using the terminal measurement procedure, knowledge-based systems are presented. These are written in the programming language PROLOG, and each consists of an inference component, a knowledge base and a dialogue component. The systems permit comparative statements to the measurement tests of the product PCB. An example of this is the impedance calculation of electrical circuits or networks. Pattern recognition procedures are also part of these systems. The knowledge-based systems can be used not only to determine the analysis of electrical circuits or networks on the base of impedance calculation of resistors, as can be seen from this paper, but also can be applied to circuits or networks with linear, nonlinear, and digital components or elements, or to circuits or networks with star-delta connection.

A Knowledge-based System Supporting an Engineering Design System

SUMMARY This report describes a knowledge-based system (KBS) created in PROLOG, connected with a computing design system (CDS) in PASCAL. There follows a discussion of PROLOG's use in the programming environment for the creation of the knowledge-based system supporting a user in its use and control of technical calculations. The use of KBS and CDS in education is also discussed.

Evaluating the Investment in Knowledge-Based Systems

The main purpose of this paper is to draw attention to some fundamental issues of evaluating the investment in knowledge-based systems. Four perspectives ar identified as interesting: (1) creating knowledge assets, (2) organizational control, (3) risk management, and (4) form analysis. Attention is focused on how and why they might contribute to successful development of knowledge systems in organizations. This paper reinforces the preponderance of managerial and organization-related issues over technological issues as the major barrier to effective use of knowledge-based systems.

Knowledge-based systems for strategic market planning in small firms

This paper gives an overview of strategic planning and decision-making in small firms, together with a discussion of the use of knowledge-based systems in strategic market planning. Furthermore, we describe the STRATEX system, which is a knowledge-based system for strategic market-planning in the export trade of fish and fisheries products. The results of the pilot system development of STRATEX are briefly presented, along with a discussion of needs for further developments in this field.

Knowledge acquisition techniques for decision analysis using AXOTL and AQUINAS

The effective application of current decision tree and influence diagram software requires a relatively high level of sophistication in the theory and practice of decision analysis. Research on intelligent decision systems aims to lower the cost and amount of training required to use these methods through the use of knowledge-based systems; however, application prototypes implemented to date have required time-consuming and tedious hand-crafting of knowledge bases. This paper describes the development of DDUCKS, an “open architecture” problem-modeling environment that integrates components from AXOTL, a knowledge-based decision analysis workbench, with those of AQUINAS a knowledge acquisition workbench based on personal construct theory. The knowledge base tools in AXOTL can be configured with knowledge to provide guidance and help in formulating, evaluating and refining decision models represented in influence diagrams. Knowledge acquisition tools in DDUCKS will allow the knowledge to be efficiently modeled, more easily maintained, and thoroughly tested.

Use of knowledge-based systems for the review of environmental impact assessments

The quality of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and public participation can improve if the public can effectively review the EIA document. Public groups would benefit from having available specific knowledge needed to perform good reviews. A knowledge-based system (KBS) can potentially disseminate this knowledge in an inexpensive and readily usable form. Research presented in this paper evaluates the usefulness of the KBS approach by developing a research prototype capable of critiquing a central component of EIA, the evaluation of alternatives. Case studies are used to demonstrate the system's effectiveness and the quality of its interaction with nonexperts.

Simple knowledge structures for perceptual classification expert systems

A new approach is described for the development and structure of perceptual knowledge-based systems. This systematic method for acquiring perceptual knowledge for use in knowledge-based systems and for representing perceptual knowledge within the systems has revealed that two broad classes of perceptual activity can each be characterized by a single logical operator. The number of rules necessary to accomplish particular perceptual tasks can also be estimated.

Using knowledge‐based systems for estimating risks inherent in a proposed KBS project

Abstract: This article describes the development of a knowledge‐based system (KBS) for guiding both technical and non‐technical managers in estimating the risks inherent in proposed KBS development projects. The work described here is part of an ongoing research project studying the use of KBS both to teach and to do KBS development. So far, as part of this research project, over the past two years close to 150 non‐technical and technical full‐time business managers have developed some 75 KBS prototypes in conjunction with an MBA course in strategic planning. Based on replies to a survey of this test group, 17% of the KBS developed were reportedly used at work, 14% led to promotions, pay raises, or new jobs, and 14% led to participation in other KBS development projects at work. All but two of the survey respondents reported that their work on the KBS development project led to a substantial increase in their job knowledge or performance. The KBS work described here extends research work described by Cullen and Bryman [1988], Slagle and Wick [1988], Cohen and Howe [1988], Dologite [1988, 1989], and Mockler [1989(A) and (B)].

Using knowledge-based systems for teaching and performing knowledge-based systems development

This paper describes the development of a knowledge-based system (KBS) for guiding both technical and non-technical managers in finding, defining, selecting and evaluating a small knowledge-based system development project. The work described here is part of an ongoing research project studying the use of KBS both to teach and to do KBS development. So far, as part of this research project, over the past two years over 200 non-technical and tehnical full-time business managers have developed some 160 KBS prototypes in conjunction with an MBA course in strategic planning. Based on replies to a survey of this test group, 28% of the KBS developed by survey respondents were reportedly used at work, 21% led to promotions, pay raises, or new jobs, and 12% led to participation in other KBS development projects at work. All but two of the survey respondents reported that their work on the KBS development project led to a substantial increase in their job knowledge or performance. The KBS work described here extends research work described by Cullen and Bryman ( 1988 ), Slagle and Wick ( 1988 ), Cohen and Howe ( 1988, 1990 ), and Mockler 1989 .

Practical, object-based knowledge representation for knowledge-based systems

Object-based knowledge representation systems are systems expressly designed for representing knowledge in the form of objects and classes. These systems derive their behavior from a formal specification of the meaning of objects and classes and, because of this firm representational foundation and their increased expressive power, are better suited for providing representation services for knowledge-based systems than are object-oriented programming systems. However, object-based knowledge representation systems are hard to implement correctly, and also suffer from tractability problems. These problems can be circumvented by using a weaker semantics, resulting in practical object-based knowledge representation systems for use in knowledge-based systems.

Life cycles in software and knowledge engineering: a comparative review

AbstractProgress in software engineering has led to system development following models of the system life cycle. These models incorporate the use of prototyping and formal methods of program verification. They are becoming supported by integrated project support environments and permit the planning and monitoring of software development projects.In contrast, knowledge based systems (KBS) are developed using informal views of the system life cycle. Tools have been developed to support some stages of the life cycle in an undisciplined manner. The commercial use of KBS needs development projects to be planned and monitored. This requires methods and tools based on systematic life cycle models to be established for KBS.This paper reviews the current state of life cycle approaches to software engineering and KBS development projects in order to provide a direction for the development of methodical KBS life cycle models.

Knowledge engineering within integrated process planning systems

The use of knowledge-based systems in the product development process will support the process planner as well as the designer. The process planner needs real expert consultance and for the designer manufacturing information must be available during the design process. This paper outlines some recent work in the development of a knowledge-based drilling operation planning system at IPK, Berlin.