Knowledge acquisition for temporal-abstraction mechanisms

Abstract

We describe three general temporal-abstraction mechanisms needed for managing time-stamped data: point temporal abstraction (a mechanism for abstracting several parameter values into one class); temporal inference (a mechanism for inferring sound logical conclusions over a single interval or two meeting intervals); and temporal interpolation (a mechanism for bridging non-meeting temporal intervals). Making explicit the knowledge required for temporal abstractions supports the acquisition of problem-solving knowledge needed for planning, plan execution, problem identification and plan revision. These mechanisms are implemented in the RÉSUMÉ system, and will be used in the context of our ongoing PROTÉGÉ-II project, whose goal is to generate knowledge-based systems automatically, as well as the appropriate knowledge-acquisition tools, custom-tailored to acquire the specific domain and task knowledge needed by the specific problem-solving method chosen for the task.