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A knowledge based interface for message translation between shop floor devices

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Abstract

This paper addresses the use of a knowledge based interface to provide the communication service of message translation. The focus of this study is on the technical feasibility of using a knowledge based architecture to perform this service for programmable shop floor devices. Implementation of a software interface using a knowledge based architecture is unique compared with the procedural programming approach used for today's custom interfaces.

Using the proposed design, a prototype interface was developed. This prototype was successfully applied in four different applications. Each of these applications involved the translation of messages between the Manufacturing Message Format Standard (MMFS) and one of four device specific languages used by different shop floor devices. Investigation of these languages revealed that each possesses a common core of structural characteristics that is necessary for development of a general parsing strategy. These characteristics are expressed in the form of language rules.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mississippi State University, PO Drawer U, 39762, Mississippi State, MS, USA

    John M. Usher

  2. Louisiana State University, 3128 CEBA Bldg., 70803, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Gerald Graves

Authors
  1. John M. Usher
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  2. Gerald Graves
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Usher, J.M., Graves, G. A knowledge based interface for message translation between shop floor devices. J Intell Manuf 1, 155–163 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01572635

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01572635

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