Model Design

The forward-chaining inference engine in B-wise© uses decision trees for knowledge representation. The user can use B-wise© to set up a series of conditions and actions connected with links (arrows):

CONDITION	ACTION	ARROW

To add a B-wise© object (condition or action) to the drawing canvas, click on the condition or action object to be created and a new window will open to fill out the information needed for that object as it relates to the problem to be solved. The following describes how to set each object appropriately. Each object has an optional "Description" field that could be used to describe the object.

Creating conditions

Click on the condition button on the toolbar to open condition properties:

 

Condition Name the condition Click into the Prompt field and input the question to be used during the program execution. Click into the Values field and input every possible value. You might want to consider describing the condition in the description field. Click OK when finished.

This object will be displayed:

Creating actions

Click on the action button on the toolbar to open action properties:

Action Name the action Click into the Advice field and input the result or conclusion for a scenario. You might want to consider describing the action in the description field. Click OK when finished.

This object will be displayed:

Connecting objects with arrows

Click on the arrow button on the toolbar to connect objects:

 

Arrow Click on the Arrow object to activate the connection mode. Click on the starting onject (A Condition). Click on the ending object (An Action or a Condition). Continue making the connections. Click on the Arrow object again to deactivate the connection mode.   Note: It is very important to deactivate the connection mode after the connections are complete.

The following two objects will be displayed: 

The Condition object will change to the color blue once all of its values are used in the model and once all of the Conditions are set and the appropriate Actions are connected using the Arrows, a completed decision tree will emerge. A Document Tree on the left panel will populate as objects are added to the model. Double-clicking an object in the model tree would open the Object’s properties Dialogue box to view or edit.

Once the model is completed, it can now be used in the “Run” view. In this view, users will be able to test their expert system by examining different scenarios:

 

Other Useful toolbar objects

Zoom in

Zoom out

Note: The model could be updated by clicking on the View drop-down on the top toolbar and Selecting the ‘Refresh’ option or by toggling between the Run and Design tabs.