Simple approach to case-based reasoning for data navigation tasks
First Claim
1. A method of data navigation employing a knowledge system that uses case-based reasoning to compare a new problem instance with a case repository of past problem instances structured as an ordered set of navigation elements, said method comprising:
- communicating problem data for the new problem instance into the knowledge system;
retrieving from the case repository a past problem instance relevant to the problem data;
wherein a navigation element associated with the past problem instance comprises an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query; and
generating information about the new problem instance based on the navigation element.
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Abstract
An architecture and key algorithms are presented that simplify the implementation and improve the functionality of knowledge-based systems that employ case-based reasoning for data navigation tasks (e.g., solving help desk problems using a database of past problem instances). The various embodiments of the invention improve on the state-of-the-art in several respects: (a) provides greatly increased flexibility in choosing attributes relevant to a case in that choices are made dynamically at case acquisition instead of statically when the knowledge-based system is designed; (b) increased system flexibility and decreased system complexity by not requiring designers to specify the manner in which attribute values are compared; (c) simplified system design by avoiding the use of similarity metrics; (d) allows for the incremental acquisition of data in problem instances, instead of requiring that all potentially relevant data be collected; and (e) provides a way to explain why a problem solution was chosen. Case acquisition is accomplished by having end-users replay the steps taken to solve a problem instance. Each such step constitutes a navigation element that consists of: (i) a test expressing the conditions under which the navigation is done; (ii) a text description explaining the step; and (iii) a database query expressing the next navigation. Algorithms are presented for case acquisition, case retrieval, and case removal. The case repository is structured as a graph of navigation elements that, under appropriate circumstances, combines into a single node those navigation elements common to multiple cases.
40 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of data navigation employing a knowledge system that uses case-based reasoning to compare a new problem instance with a case repository of past problem instances structured as an ordered set of navigation elements, said method comprising:
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communicating problem data for the new problem instance into the knowledge system; retrieving from the case repository a past problem instance relevant to the problem data;
wherein a navigation element associated with the past problem instance comprises an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query; andgenerating information about the new problem instance based on the navigation element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 23, 24, 25)
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8. A method of generating a case repository of problem instances for use in a knowledge system for data navigation wherein said problem instances are structured as an ordered set of navigation elements stored in the case repository, comprising:
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specifying a navigation element corresponding to a new problem instance for input to the knowledge system, wherein the navigation element comprises an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query;appending, responsive to said specifying step, the navigation element to the set of ordered navigation elements; repeating said specifying and appending steps until the problem instance is resolved; and updating the case repository with the ordered set of navigation elements corresponding to the new problem instance. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A case-based knowledge system for data navigation having a processor adapted to compare a new problem instance with past problem instances, said system comprising:
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a case repository for storing the past problem instances wherein the past problem instances are structured as an ordered set of navigation elements; a case retrieval function for retrieving from the case repository, a past problem instance relevant to the new problem instance wherein a navigation element associated with the past problem instance is an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query; anda user interface for routing the new problem instance to, and a retrieved past problem instance from, the case retrieval function. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22)
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18. A case-based knowledge system for data navigation having a processor adapted to compare a new problem instance with past problem instances, said system comprising:
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a case repository for storing the past problem instances as an ordered set of navigation elements; a case acquisition function for iteratively creating the ordered set of navigation elements corresponding to the new problem instance and updating the case repository with the ordered set of navigation elements created;
wherein a navigation element associated with the new problem instance is an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query, anda user interface adapted to route the navigation elements for the new problem instance to the case acquisition function. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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26. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for data navigation wherein a knowledge system uses case-based reasoning to compare a new instance with a case repository of past instances, said method steps comprising:
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communicating data for the new instance into the knowledge system; retrieving from the case repository a past instance relevant to the data;
wherein the past instance is an ordered set of navigation elements and wherein a navigation element associated with the past instance comprises an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query; andgenerating information about the new instance based on the navigation element. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of generating a case repository of instances for use in a knowledge system using case-based reasoning wherein the instances are structured as an ordered set of navigation elements stored in the case repository, comprising the method steps of:
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specifying one or more navigation elements corresponding to a new instance for input to the knowledge system, wherein a navigation element comprises an ordered triple including;
a test expressing data navigation conditions;
a text description explaining the navigation element; and
a query;appending, responsive to said specifying step, the navigation element to the set of ordered navigation elements; and updating the case repository with the one or more navigation elements corresponding to the new instance.
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Specification