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Showing papers on "System integration published in 1995"


Proceedings Article
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The goal of the TOVE (TOronto Virtual Enterprise) Enterprise Modelling project is to create the next generation Enterprise Model, a Common Sense Enterprise Model that has the ability to deduce answers to queries that require relatively shallow knowledge of the domain.
Abstract: As information systems play a more active role in the management and operations of an enterprise, the demands on these systems have also increased. Departing from their traditional role as simple repositories of data, information systems must now provide more sophisticated support to manual and automated decision making; they must not only answer queries with what is explicitly represented in their Enterprise Model, but must be able to answer queries with what is implied by the model. The goal of the TOVE (TOronto Virtual Enterprise) Enterprise Modelling project is to create the next generation Enterprise Model, a Common Sense Enterprise Model. By common sense we mean that an Enterprise Model has the ability to deduce answers to queries that require relatively shallow knowledge of the domain. We are taking what can be viewed as a `second generation knowledge engineering' approach to constructing our Common Sense Enterprise Model. Rather than extracting rules from experts, we are `engineering ontologies.' An ontology is a formal description of entities and their properties, relationships, constraints, behaviours. Through interaction with our industrial partners, we encounter problems that arise in their particular enterprises. Our approach to engineering ontologies begins with using these problems to de ne an ontology's requirements in the form of questions that an ontology must be able to answer. We call this the competency of the ontology. The second step is to de ne the terminology of the ontology its objects, attributes, and relations. In this way the ontology provides the language that will be used to express the de nitions in the terminology and the constraints required by the application. The third step is to specify the de nitions and constraints on the terminology, where possible. The speci cations are represented in First Order Logic and implemented in Prolog. Lastly, we test the competency of the ontology by proving completeness theorems with respect to the competency questions. Our initial e orts have focused on ontologies to support reasoning in industrial environments. The tasks that we have targeted to support are in `supply chain management' which extends MRP (Manufacturing Requirements Planning) to include logistics/distribution [Fox

1,528 citations


Book
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The authors have redesigned the distributed systems design chapter to also address Internet-based application design topics not covered in the other chapters: They cover Internet application design standards, how to maintain site consistency, security issues, and data warehousing, among other topics.
Abstract: From the Publisher: NEW OR EXPANDED CONTENT COVERAGE TO KEEP YOU ON THE LEADING EDGE… Increased focus on "make versus buy" and systems integration. More and more systems development involves the use of packages in combination with legacy applications and new modules. Chapter 11 shows how companies deal with these issues. Coverage of Internet-based systems. The authors have redesigned the distributed systems design chapter (now Chapter 16) to also address Internet-based application design topics not covered in the other chapters: They cover Internet application design standards, how to maintain site consistency, security issues, and data warehousing, among other topics. Expanded coverage of process modeling techniques. Chapter 8 now includes an introduction to business process modeling and functional hierarchy modeling as alternatives to data flow diagramming. These three process-modeling techniques are compared so you know when to use each in practice. Unlike other SAD texts, Modern Systems Analysis and Design has continually offered strong coverage of RAD — an important element in systems design. FEATURES THAT MAKE THIS EDITION AN INDISPENSABLE RESOURCE: Expanded and updated coverage of systems analysis as a profession Updated coverage of codes of conduct and new material on how systems professionals approach business problems with ethical considerations. Updated information on career paths with the latest information gathered from professional societies. Net Search Exercises New marginicons for Net Search exercises on the Web site can be found in every chapter. The icon signals when a topic in the text has a corresponding Net Search exercise on the Web site. Integration of Electronic commerce into the running cases One of three fictional running cases in the text, Pine Valley Furniture, is a furniture company founded in 1980, that now, in the Third Edition, has decided to explore electronic commerce as an avenue to increase its market share. Broadway Entertainment Company, Inc., BEC, a fictional video and record retailer, is a project case that allows you to study and develop a Web-based customer relationship management system.

449 citations


Book
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The DISCUS Framework Object Wrapper Techniques Systems Integration Guidance Acronyms and Framework Examples In-Depth Example.
Abstract: THE PRINCIPLES OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION Standards Strategy An Introduction to CORBA Software Architecture Design Security THE PRACTICE OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION Framework Examples In-Depth Example: The DISCUS Framework Object Wrapper Techniques Systems Integration Guidance Acronyms Appendix Bibliography Index.

310 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
F. van der Linden1, J.K. Muller1
TL;DR: This method decomposes the system into building blocks to make it "future-proof," accommodate functional needs, and minimize system complexity.
Abstract: Large systems need a sound architecture. In our method, we decompose the system into building blocks to make it "future-proof," accommodate functional needs, and minimize system complexity. We organize the system construction along three design dimensions covered by the system architecture: structure, aspects, and behavior. The structure determines the system's decomposition into parts and the relationships between the parts. Aspects model the functional decomposition of the system. Behavior deals with processing that takes place within the system. Of the three dimensions, we consider structure to be the most important. In this dimension, reducing complexity is our main concern. We organize system functionality into four layers, or subsystems. These subsystems are composed of software modules-building blocks-which are the basic software entities in the system architecture. >

73 citations


01 Aug 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors gathered from senior Systems Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories gathered material for this paper from senior SMEs at the US Department of Energy (DoE).
Abstract: Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary process that ensures that the customers` needs are satisfied throughout a system`s entire life cycle. This process includes: understanding customer needs; stating the problem; specifying requirements; defining performance and cost measures, prescribing tests, validating requirements, conducting design reviews, exploring alternative concepts, sensitivity analyses, functional decomposition, system design, designing and managing interfaces, system integration, total system test, configuration management, risk management, reliability analysis; total quality management; project management; and documentation. Material for this paper was gathered from senior Systems Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories.

65 citations


ReportDOI
01 Jun 1995
TL;DR: This report summarizes new IDEF developments toward establishing reliable methods for business constraint discovery, design rationale capture, human system interaction design, and network design and discusses conceptual foundations, relevance, issues, and recommended follow-on development activities.
Abstract: : For all the rapid advances in computer hardware and specific software technology, enterprise engineering, reengineering, and enterprise integration efforts continue to lack effective, widely understood methods for engineering large-scale information systems. Diverse methods are needed to engineer systems that exhibit desirable life-cycle characteristics (e.g., flexibility, responsiveness, scalability, maintainability, ease of use, integration, performance) and for engaging teams of people in critical life-cycle system development activities. Integration Definition (IDEF) methods, a key product of the IICE program, provide easy-to-use techniques and standard languages of communication that promote good engineering discipline. This report summarizes new IDEF developments toward establishing reliable methods for business constraint discovery (IDEF9), design rationale capture (IDEF6), human system interaction design (IDEF8), and network design (IDEF14). For each method, the conceptual foundations, relevance, issues, and recommended follow-on development activities are discussed.

62 citations


Book
30 May 1995
TL;DR: This paper presents a meta-modelling framework for integrating points of view through information modelling for multi-agent collaboration in integrated information systems for design management of construction projects.
Abstract: What is integration and why is it important? The purpose and definition of integration. Managerial issues affecting integration. The role of data transfer. Integrating different views of integration. An integrating interface to data. The history of construction integration. Integrated construction information efforts since 1945. Logical structure of classification systems. Construction integration - from the past to the present. Construction integration - from the present to the future. Product modelling. Product models and beyond. Integration of design and construction knowledge. Design systems in a computer intergrated manufacturing context (CIM). Software environments for integrated construction. Process and information modelling. A building server for a construction industry client. Integrating points of view through information modelling. A process support environment for design management. From modelling to applications. Applications of integration. Information management of construction projects. Multi-agent collaboration in integrated information systems. Integrated document management. Environmental design of buildings. Project historical information system.

57 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The ultimate goal of the views is to support designers in making tradeoffs which involve performance, and to provide early assessment of the performance potential of software designs.
Abstract: This paper describes a multiview characterization of concurrent software and systems suitable for displaying and analyzing performance information. The views draw from well-known descriptions, and are compatible with established techniques and tools such as execution graphs, Petri Nets, State-Charts, structured design or object-oriented design, and various models for performance. The views are connected by means of a "Core model" and are used together to extract information relating to system integration, such as interprocess overheads, and the delay behavior of separate software components in complex systems. The integration of the views in the Core assists by converting results in one view (such as scheduling delay for resources) to parameters in another (such as delays along a path). The ultimate goal of the views is to support designers in making tradeoffs which involve performance, and to provide early assessment of the performance potential of software designs. >

49 citations


BookDOI
01 Feb 1995
TL;DR: This chapter discusses Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Decision Making, Control and Automation: an Introduction, and new Approaches to Large-Scale Scheduling Problems: Constraint Directed Programming and Neural Networks.
Abstract: Part 1: General Issues. 1. Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Decision Making, Control and Automation: an Introduction S.G. Tzafestas, H. Verbruggen. 2. Conceptual integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Process Models E.A. Woods. 3. Timing Problems and their Handling at System Integration L. Motus. 4. Analysis for Correct Reasoning in Interactive Man Robot Systems: Disjunctive Syllogism with Modus ponens and Modus tollens E.C. Koenig. Part 2: Intelligent Systems. 5. Applied Intelligent Control Systems: R. Shoureshi, M. Wheeler, L. Brackney. 6. Intelligent Simulation in Designing Complex Dynamic Control Systems F. Zhao. 7. Multiresolutional Architectures for Autonomous Systems with Incomplete and Indequate Knowledge Representation A. Meysel. 8. Distributed Intelligent Systems in Cellular Robotics T. Fuikuda, T. Ueyama, K. Sekiyama. 9. Distributed Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Control S. Albayrak, H. Krallmann. Part 3: Neural Networks in Modelling, Control and Scheduling. 10. Artificial Neural Networks for Modelling A.J. Krijgsman, H.B. Verbruggen, P.M. Bruijn. 11. Neural Networks in Robot Control S.G. Tzafestas. 12. Control Strategy of Robotic Manipulator Based on Flexible Neural Network Structure M. Teshnehlab, K. Watanabe. 13. Neuro-Fuzzy Approaches to Anticipatory Control L.H. Tsoukalas, A. Ikonomopoulos, R.E. Uhrig. 14. New Approaches to Large-Scale Scheduling Problems: Constraint Directed Programming and Neural Networks Y. Kobayashi, N. Nonaka. Part 4: Systems Diagnostics. 15. Knowledge-Based Fault Diagnosis of Technological Systems H.B. Verbruggen, S.G. Tzafestas, E. Zanni. 16. Model-Based Diagnosis: State Transition Events and Constraint Equations K.-E. Arzen, A. Wallen, T.F. Petti. 17. Diagnosis with Explicit Models of Goals and Functions J.E. Larsson. Part 5: Industrial Robotic, Manufacturing and Organizational Systems. 18. Multi-Sensor Integration for Mobile Robot Navigation A. Traca de Almeida, H. Araujo, J. Dias, U. Nunes. 19. Incremental Design of a Flexible Robotic Assembly Cell Using Reactive Robots E.s. Tzafestas, S.G. Tzafestas. 20. On the Comparison of AI and DAI Based Planning Techniques for Automated Manufacturing Systems A.I. Kokkinaki, K.P. Valavanis. 21. Knowledge-Based Supervision of Flexible Manufacturing Systems A.K.A. Toguyeni, E. Craye, J.-C. Gentina. 22. A Survey of Knowledge-Based Industrial Scheduling K.S. Hindi, M.g. Singh. 23. Reactive Batch Scheduling V.J. Terpstra, H.B. Verbruggen. 24. Applying Groupware Technologies to Support Management in Organizations A. Michailidis, P.-I. Gouma, R. Rada.

41 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The evolution of the profession of a teacher towards an “integrated” profession, that is with many different competencies which are not only juxtaposed, but which are interact, is discussed, and some conclusions for teacher education are drawn.
Abstract: New technologies are penetrating education. But new technologies are usually simply added to other topics in schools, not really integrated. New technologies are not widely used in schools as one would have expected some years ago; the generalization of new technologies has become one of the main problems, and integration is now a necessary step. Integration can be defined as “combining parts in a whole”. In this paper, I examine the question of integration in several aspects: hardware and software integration, integration into disciplines, integration in teaching and learning. In particular, I discuss the evolution of the profession of a teacher towards an “integrated” profession, that is with many different competencies which are not only juxtaposed, but which are interact, and I draw some conclusions for teacher education. Education now needs to design integrated environments; this is a huge task for educators. This paper poses a number of questions about integrating new technologies into education, in order to evolve from juxtaposition to integration. Only when new technologies are integrated, will their use become natural, easy, and will they have a wide effect on teaching and on learning.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A decision support system known as Insites designed to assist Texas Instruments in the day-to-day assembly operations of their PWB facilities is described, focusing on the heuristic techniques used to solve the underlying multiple machine scheduling problem and the efforts undertaken to validate and deploy the system.
Abstract: In the last decade, the U.S. electronics industry has experienced a 10% annual growth rate in the assembly of printed wiring boards PWBs. For many companies, this activity represents the most profitable component of their business with revenues in the billions for the industry as a whole. The basic functions associated with PWB assembly include inventory management, materials handling, production scheduling, and quality control, all of which are subject to a host of system-wide constraints. For the Texas Instruments facility in Austin, Texas, planning and scheduling is further complicated by the need to deal with over 10,000 different components and up to 400 different board types, each with their individual routing and bill of materials. This paper describes a decision support system known as Insites designed to assist Texas Instruments in the day-to-day assembly operations of their PWB facilities. The emphasis is on the heuristic techniques used to solve the underlying multiple machine scheduling problem and the efforts undertaken to validate and deploy the system. The identified benefits, coupled with the acceptance of Insites by both shop floor personnel and management, led the way to full system integration in early 1992.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
25 Apr 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an overview of digital systems to implement neural networks, including serial computers, parallel systems with standard digital components, and parallel system with special-purpose digital devices, with an emphasis on commercially available systems.
Abstract: Neural networks are non-linear static or dynamical systems that learn to solve problems from examples Those learning algorithms that require a lot of computing power could benefit from fast dedicated hardware This paper presents an overview of digital systems to implement neural networks We consider three options for implementing neural networks in digital systems: serial computers, parallel systems with standard digital components, and parallel systems with special-purpose digital devices We describe many examples under each option, with an emphasis on commercially available systems We discuss the trend toward more general architectures, we mention a few hybrid and analog systems that can complement digital systems, and we try to answer questions that came to our minds as prospective users of these systems We conclude that support software and in general, system integration, is beginning to reach the level of versatility that many researchers will require The next step appears to be integrating all of these technologies together, in a new generation of big, fast and user-friendly neurocomputers

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Integration Information Architecture of STEP is presented and explained and it is shown that instead of a flat representation of abstract data structures, integration within STEP takes place at four different levels: structural integration of application protocols through integrated resources; semantic integration ofApplication protocols through application interpreted constructs (AICs);operational integration through application protocols.
Abstract: Traditionally, when the term ‘integration’ is used to refer to the interoperability of disparate, heterogeneous computer systems, it means the ability to exchange digital data between the systems. For the more sophisticated systems designers, ‘integration’ may mean shared, distributed databases or a federated database system. Within the development of the STandard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP — ISO 10303), ‘integration’ refers to an information architecture composed of conceptual constructs that is independent of implementation considerations.


Proceedings Article
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: A model of clinical query management is described that supports the integration of various types of biomedical information and the delivery of that information through a common interface through a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) mediator.
Abstract: A model of clinical query management is described that supports the integration of various types of biomedical information and the delivery of that information through a common interface. The model extends the architecture of the World Wide Web to include a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) mediator, which takes in user queries, performs syntactic and semantic processing to transform the input to a canonical form, selects the appropriate information sources to answer the query, translates the canonical query statement into a query of each information resource, queries the chosen information sources in parallel, and controls the analysis and display of results. We describe WebMedline, a CGI mediator that implements portions of this model, and discuss the benefits and limitations of this approach.

01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The EBI framework provides a flexible, object-oriented model for discussing and comparing event-based integration approaches and is demonstrated how to use the framework as a reference model by comparing and contrasting three popular integration mechanisms: FIELD, Polylith, and CORBA.
Abstract: Although event-based software integration is one of the most prevalent approaches to loose integration, no consistent model for describing it exists. As a result, there is no uniform way to discuss event-based integration, compare approaches and implementations, specify new event-based approaches, or match user requirements with the capabilities of event-based integration products. We attempt to address these shortcomings by specifying a generic framework for event-based integration, the EBI framework, that provides a flexible, object-oriented model for discussing and comparing event-based integration approaches. The EBI framework can model dynamic and static specification, composition and decomposition, and can be instantiated to describe the features of most common event-based integration approaches. We demonstrate how to use the framework as a reference model by comparing and contrasting three popular integration mechanisms: FIELD, Polylith, and CORBA.


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Mar 1995
TL;DR: Examples are given of aspplications-driven integration technology-intensive research needed by business to support globalization, increased productivity, and rapid adaptation.
Abstract: The Computer Science (CS) and Information Systems (IS) fields are facing considerable challenges. At the same time, the Information Technology and Systems (ITS) community, which lies at the intersection of CS and IS, is uniquely positioned to address and solve important problems that are outside of the traditional domains of either CS or IS. An important development is the increasing criticality of Integration Technologies (IT) and the need for Integration Specialists (IS)1. Examples are given of aspplications-driven integration technology-intensive research needed by business to support globalization, increased productivity, and rapid adaptation.

01 Feb 1995
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore advanced concepts in the design and manufacture of frequency control devices, which can lead to low cost mass production, high performance components, increased levels of communication system circuit integration, and a significant size reduction of radios and other communication system elements.
Abstract: : The objective of the program was to explore advanced concepts in the design and manufacture of frequency control devices. The program was designed to lead to low cost mass production, high performance components, increased levels of communication system circuit integration, and a significant size reduction of radios and other communication system elements. The proposed approach was to adapt advanced microelectronic material processing, piezoelectric thin films, and micromachining of single crystal plates to achieve wafer scale integration and production of a wide class of frequency control devices.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the author's personal experience in the research field of computer cooling is presented, highlighting the need to develop foresight on the possible course of hardware development in order to provide the package designer with appropriate heat-transfer data in a timely manner.
Abstract: This paper begins with a review of the author's personal experience in the research field of computer cooling. It highlights the need to develop foresight on the possible course of hardware development in order to provide the package designer with appropriate heat-transfer data in a timely manner. A question is then raised about the immediate future of the (indirect) water-cooling technology. Water-cooling has so far proven effective in cooling high-end computers which use ECL devices in two-dimensional packaging. The drive toward higher raw speeds of ECL devices, however, is going to lose steam-emerging instead is the endeavor to upgrade system performance by massively-parallel computing which requires wiring-intensive hardware. Three-dimensional packaging will meet the demand for short global wiring in systems, but will become a commercial reality only after the establishment of methodologies for its design and assembling. One of the key issues in the design of 3-D computers is the optimum allocation of physical space for electrical wiring and heat-transfer paths. Intimate coupling of wiring and heat transfer designs pose challenges to heat-transfer researchers that have not surfaced in other industrial applications. Items of primary importance include: the methodology to predict how and temperature distributions in a field having a wide spectrum of length scales, the local heat-transfer coefficients in the maze of microscale coolant channels, the possibly large effect of extraneous factors such as irregular geometric features of coolant channels and conjugate mode of heat transfer, and temperature control during assembling of 3-D structures.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The design and development of decision systems capable of adaptively learning in the operational environment is presented and the potential problem of increase in computational loads is addressed in detail by exploring the benefits of employing the recently proposed concept of minimal consistent set.
Abstract: The design and development of decision systems capable of adaptively learning in the operational environment is presented. Innovative adaptive learning concepts and methodologies are offered that are designed for enhancing the performance of decision systems, such as automatic target recognition systems, wherein robustness of performance is a significant issue. The fundamental concept underlying this design is that of learning in partially exposed environments, wherein, at the start, the system is not necessarily aware of all the pattern classes that may be encountered in the future phase of operations. The decision system is based on a variant to the widely popular nearest-neighbor concept. Several stages of sophistication of the system design are presented. The potential problem of increase in computational loads is addressed in detail by exploring the benefits of employing the recently proposed concept of minimal consistent set. The effectiveness of the system design is experimentally illustrated using two data sets, the now classical IRIS data and some real-world TV image data.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The number of artificial intelligence methods applied to actual industrial process control and/or to plant-wide control has been rapidly increasing and expert systems for automated decision making in production control and in supporting the managerial activities have proven their effectiveness.
Abstract: The number of artificial intelligence methods applied to actual industrial process control and/or to plant-wide control has been rapidly increasing. For example, the application of fuzzy controllers in continuous process control and manufacturing, expert systems for automatic and/or automated decision making in production control and in supporting the managerial activities, have proven their effectiveness.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
10 Jul 1995-CASE
TL;DR: The tool is Scrutiny, a CSCW system used to manage and facilitate the performance of software inspection and review by geographically separated teams and the lessons learned while building it and introducing it are described.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A digital solution based on analogue signal compression, high speed A/D converters, a fully programmable pipeline and a digital signal processing (DSP) chain with local intelligence and system supervision aimed at providing maximal front-end processing power by performing waveform analysis using DSP methods.
Abstract: We present a digital solution for the front-end electronics of high resolution calorimeters at future colliders. It is based on analogue signal compression, high speed A/D converters, a fully programmable pipeline and a digital signal processing (DSP) chain with local intelligence and system supervision. This digital solution is aimed at providing maximal front-end processing power by performing waveform analysis using DSP methods. For the system integration of the multichannel device a multi-chip, silicon-on-silicon multi-chip module (MCM) has been adopted. This solution allows a high level of integration of complex analogue and digital functions, with excellent flexibility in mixing technologies for the different functional blocks. This type of multichip integration provides a high degree of reliability and programmability at both the function and the system level, with the additional possibility of customising the microsystem to detector-specific requirements. For enhanced reliability in high radiation environments, fault tolerance strategies, i.e. redundancy, reconfigurability, majority voting and coding for error detection and correction, are integrated into the design. (Less)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The health resource allocation problem is discussed in this paper and an object-oriented system, which consists of two parts is proposed and its implemented prototype is illustrated.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
22 May 1995
TL;DR: A framework that features multiple dimensions for modeling the multiple aspects of complex automation systems that facilitates open and scalable system architecture and facilitates efficient processing of system intelligence is conceptualized.
Abstract: This paper conceptualizes a framework that features multiple dimensions for modeling the multiple aspects of complex automation systems. This framework facilitates open and scalable system architecture. Its well-defined structures facilitate efficient processing of system intelligence. Several automation models are used to illustrate the validity of this framework. This work is supported jointly by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Systems Integration for Manufacturing Applications (SIMA) Joint Architecture project and the NIST Intelligent Systems Division (ISD) Tools project.

Book ChapterDOI
24 Jul 1995
TL;DR: A federated architecture for Concurrent Engineering is presented and special emphasis is put on the aspects of enterprise modelling and control knowledge to support the coordination of teams of experts.
Abstract: A federated architecture for Concurrent Engineering is presented and special emphasis is put on the aspects of enterprise modelling and control knowledge to support the coordination of teams of experts. The prototype described combines both information integration and cooperation support functionalities. This paper addresses mainly the business plan interpreter and its multilevel supervision knowledge. Open questions and directions for further research in the context of networks of enterprises (extended or virtual enterprise) are summarized.

Book
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: The proceedings of a conference on intelligent autonomous systems discuss the results of numerous research endeavours and present the state of the art to obtain autonomy.
Abstract: This text presents the proceedings of a conference on intelligent autonomous systems. Papers contribute solutions to the task of designing autonomous systems that are capable of operating independently of a human in partially structured and unstructured environments. For specific application, these systems should also learn from their actions in order to improve and optimize planning and execution of new tasks. There are numerous disciplines that contribute to the design of autonomous systems, including computer sciences, physics, electronics, computer engineering and mechanical engineering. One of the most difficult tasks is system integration, where systems such sensors, vision systems, controllers and machine elements are tied together to a functional entity. The papers bound in these proceedings discuss the results of numerous research endeavours and present the state of the art to obtain autonomy.

Journal ArticleDOI
Peter Loos1
TL;DR: The approach uses concepts like hierarchisation and business process orientation to support the integration of material and process information and to manage them by the use of graphical modeling techniques.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A method of introducing knowledge engineering technology to help develop an advanced intelligent product design system by using general purpose modules to interface with available CAD packages is discussed.
Abstract: Conventional computer-aided design (CAD) packages have drastically reduced the workload of the human designer and shortened the product design cycle. However, the degree of effort and volume of information required to use these tools limit their use to the later stages of design. Intelligent computer-aided design (ICAD) systems have sought to provide a more complete design tool to assist the designer in all phases of design. ICAD systems incorporate conventional CAD elements as well as knowledge engineering constructs. The level of integration between different components of an ICAD system determines its usefulness. Most commercial intelligent CAD packages are tied to a specific set of CAD tools, restricting their application domains. This dependence on specific software tools can be reduced by using general purpose modules to interface with available CAD packages. This paper discusses a method of introducing knowledge engineering technology to help develop an advanced intelligent product design system by...