Logical support in a time-varying model

Abstract

Techniques using logical dependencies as a means of monitoring the justifications of beliefs in a database have proved to be a valuable tool for automatic deduction and planning. A new technique for determining logical support dynamically within existing structure eliminates the need for declaring dependencies in clause form. Procedural specialists define the behavior of logical connectives and allow domain axioms to be expressed in a declarative form. The system uses dependency relationships in the world model to determine the consequences of actions and assumptions. The use of context layers in addition to dependencies remedies certain difficulties encoutered in previous modelling schemes, resulting in improved model accuracy following a state change.

This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under Contract NAS 7–100, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.