Refinement

Matthias van der Hallen

Recap: Knowledge Base Paradigm

• Represent the knowledge in a domain in a Knowledge Base
• Use multiple inferences to solve different problems concerning that knowledge
• + Procedural interface

Drawbacks of the Knowledge Base Paradigm:

• Loosely connected components of Domain Knowledge

• Knowledge exists on different abstraction levels:
  • Leads to complicated specifications
  • Potentially harder for the solver

Example: the AREI

(Algemeen Reglement op Elektrische Installaties)

Thesis making an application helping electricians or homeowners to configure law-abiding installations

Example: the AREI

(Algemeen Reglement op Elektrische Installaties)

Knowledge of AREI comes in separate, loosely linked parts:

• Routing of circuit through rooms
• Circuit breaker mechanisms per circuit
• Number of allowed devices per type / circuit
• Cable thickness, length and power usage 

(Roughly related to the different AREI chapters)

Idea: Refinement

Create a hierarchy of interlinked (smaller) knowledge kernels within a knowledge base