4 Rule-based Expert Systems - School of Computer Science and 4基于规则的专家系统-计算机科学学院.docVIP

4 Rule-based Expert Systems A rule-based expert system is an expert system (see intro) which works as a production system in which rules encode expert knowledge. Most expert systems are rule-based. Alternatives are frame-based - knowledge is associated with the objects of interest and reasoning consists of confirming expectations for slot values. Such systems often include rules too. model-based, where the entire system models the real world, and this deep knowledge is used to e.g. diagnose equipment malfunctions, by comparing model predicted outcomes with actual observed outcomes case-based - previous examples (cases) of the task and its solution are stored. To solve a new problem the closest matching case is retrieved, and its solution or an adaptation of it is proposed as the solution to the new problem.  Typical Expert System Architecture (from Luger and Stubblefield) Data-driven Rule-based Expert Systems Use Forward Chaining: Given a certain set of facts in WM, use the rules to generate new facts until the desired goal is reached. To forward chain the inference engine must: 1. Match the condition patterns of rules against facts in working memory. 2. If there is more than one rule that could be used (that could fire), select which one to apply (this is called conflict resolution) 3. Apply the rule, maybe causing new facts to be added to working memory 4. Halt when some useful (or goal) conclusion is added to WM (or until all possible conclusions have been drawn.) Goal-driven Rule-based Expert Systems Use Backward Chaining: Work backwards from a hypothesised goal, attempting to prove it by linking the goal to the initial facts. To backward chain from a goal in WM the inference engine must: 1. Select rules with conclusions matching the goal. 2. Replace the goal by the rules premises. These become sub-goals. 3. Work backwards till all sub-goals are known to be true - either they are facts (in WM) or the user provides the information. Example A production