1995-08-10
1998-05-26
MacDonald, Allen R.
395 3, G06F 1518
Patent
active
057580316
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically generating or creating rules, especially rules for fuzzy reasoning.
2. Background Art
Fuzzy reasoning or fuzzy control has come to be used in expert systems, fault diagnosis and control of various equipment in many fields. Appropriate rules are necessary in order to execute appropriate fuzzy reasoning or fuzzy control. However, the creation or construction of rules often is accompanied by difficulties unless done by a technician possessing a great stock of knowledge in the field of application.
A method of creating rules based upon accumulated experience, intuition and knowledge is disadvantageous in that rules can only be created by a limited few because it is required that the creator be a specialist having abundant experience and know-how.
There is also a method which involves creating initial rules provisionally within the limits of common knowledge and then revising the rules while applying data to them. Though this method does not necessarily require special knowledge or experience, trial and error must be repeated. A problem which arises is that time and labor are required.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a rule generating apparatus and method for deciding appropriate rules without requiring special knowledge and in a rapid manner.
A rule generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rule-group storage unit in which plural groups of rules, each group including a plurality of rules, are stored in advance; an input unit for entering input-variable data and output-variable data used in rule generation; a first operating unit for performing operations, in accordance with respective ones of the rule groups stored in the rule-group storage unit, using the input-variable data entered by the input unit; a second operating unit for comparing operational results from the first operating unit and the output-variable data entered from the input unit, and calculating degree of effectiveness of each rule group; and a selecting unit for selecting an appropriate rule group on the basis of the degree of effectiveness obtained by the second operating unit.
The apparatus preferably is further provided with a memory unit for storing the rule group selected by the selecting unit, or with an output unit for outputting the selected rule group.
A rule generating method according to the present invention comprises the steps of storing plural groups of rules, each group including a plurality of rules, in a storage unit in advance; accepting entry of input-variable data and output-variable data used in rule generation; performing operations, in accordance with respective ones of rule groups stored in the rule-group storage unit, using the entered input-variable data; comparing operational results and the entered output-variable data and calculating degree of effectiveness of each rule group; and selecting an appropriate rule group on the basis of the degree of effectiveness obtained.
In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of rule groups created in the past are stored in a rule-group storage unit in advance, and a rule group best suited to the entered input- and output-variable data is selected automatically from these rule groups. Accordingly, rules can be generated even without the possession of special knowledge, and a substantially appropriate rule group is obtained. In addition, accurate, rapid processing can be expected.
Preferably, part of a selected rule group is revised as needed. The revised rule group also would be stored in the rule-group storage unit.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the input unit is constituted by a recording medium in which the input- and output-variable data is stored, and a reading device for reading the input- and output-variable data from the recording medium. This makes it possible to carry about the input- and output-variable data for rule generation.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,
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MacDonald Allen R.
Omron Corporation
Shah Sanjiv
LandOfFree
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