Exsys CORVID

Category Intelligent Software>Expert (Knowledge Based) Systems/Tools

Abstract Exsys CORVID is a knowledge automation expert (knowledge based) system development tool. Product provides an advanced environment to develop Knowledge Automation Expert Systems. It allows the logical rules and procedural steps used by an expert to make a decision, to be efficiently stated in a form that is easy to read, understand and maintain. In an interactive session delivered over the Web, the underlying Inference Engine uses the problem- solving logic to emulate the questions, process, and recommendations of domain experts. People interact with the system as if they were talking to the expert. CORVID developed systems produce situation-specific recommendations, and can provide problem solving advice on a wide range of subjects.

Product features include:

Easy to Learn Developer Interface - CORVID is aimed at developers that have the expert knowledge, but are Not programmers or IT professionals. A tutorial, which can be run in a few hours, is enough to get started, and a 3-day training class covers all software features. The decision-making logic is stated in If/Then rules, in much the same way as explaining to another person how to make the decision. The rules are written in English and algebra, making them easy to read, understand and maintain. CORVID provides tree structures to organize related rules, and Logic Blocks to organize related trees.

Object Structured - CORVID uses an “object-structure” approach to system design. Rules are defined using various types of variables that have associated methods and properties. Many of the advantages of a full object-oriented (OO) approach are provided without having to understand complex OO programming, or describing a solution with OO classes. This is similar to the concept used in Visual Basic, which has made it so popular, widely used and accepted.

Powerful Inference Engine - The CORVID Inference Engine runs the rules. It supports both backward (goal driven) and forward (data driven) chaining, or combinations of the two approaches. Backward chaining makes it particularly easy to build systems. If a system has a rule relevant to the current goal or variable, it will automatically be found and used by the system. All the developer has to do is add the rule(s) anywhere in the system. Questions will be "focused", only asking what is needed, yet never overlooking anything that might be relevant. Probabilistic logic ("fuzzy logic") is supported with many ways to combine confidence factors, allowing systems to find the "best" solution, and probabilistically rank multiple possible solutions. Collection variables provide a way to dynamically build reports, web pages and emails as the rules in a system fire.

Product components include:

Variables - Variables are the building blocks that are used to develop systems. They resemble the elements needed in a decision-making process. They define the logic, hold data and define how the system runs. CORVID has seven variable types, each with special functionality and capability.

Confidence Factors - Variables can have specified confidence factors. This enables expert systems to make multiple recommendations with differing degrees of confidence to reach a "best fit" in its conclusion. The ability to handle confidence factors provides a much more effective way to build systems that emulate the real world, and give the type of recommendations that human experts would.

Logic Blocks - CORVID introduces a unique way to define, organize and structure rules into logically related blocks. The Logic Block is made up of one or more tree structured logic diagrams. The rules in the Logic Block usually all relate to one aspect of the decision, and can be referenced in the system by simply calling that block.

Command Blocks - Command Blocks tell the system what actions to take, and in what order to perform actions. They control the procedural flow of the system including setting what variables are the “goals” of the session, how the system chains, the Logic Blocks to be executed, how results will be displayed, and external interfaces.

MetaBlocks for Selection Systems – ‘Product selection’ problems call for finding the best product to recommend to a potential customer based on their wants and requirements. Often, No single product will meet all requirements. An Exsys CORVID system will find the "best" fit and provide an explanation to the customer on how each product meets their needs. It provides special features for this type of system that allow the selection logic to be separated from product specifications, which are maintained and updated in a simple spreadsheet format. Systems results can be linked to additional information or directly to purchasing functions.

Cross-Platform Java-based Web Deployment - The systems built with this product can be delivered over the Web via either the CORVID Applet Runtime (client-side), or CORVID Servlet Runtime (server-side). Both runtime programs are based on Java. People interact with the system by answering questions. Based on their input and the system's logic, it will ask more questions - drilling down where necessary and skipping questions that are Not needed. A system may only ask a few questions, or many, it all depends on the complexity of the problems. Once the system has fully analyzed the system user's situation, it will provide its conclusions and recommendations.

CORVID systems can be run from a standard Browser and can be integrated into existing Web sites. Systems using the Applet Runtime run client-side or standalone can be embedded in a Web page. Systems using the Servlet Runtime reside on the server, can match the look and feel of existing Web sites, and only send HyperText Markup Language (HTML) forms to the client machine. CORVID systems can be run from Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mini- browsers in some cell phones.

User Interface Design and Control - In the Applet Runtime, screen commands allow formatting of questions and results. In the Servlet Runtime, the full design and functionality of HTML can be used for interface design. Editable HTML templates make it easy to quickly design a consistent, professional interface. Links within a system can be used to provide help, or more detailed explanations. Product offers built-in capabilities allowing a single system to be run in multiple languages.

Open Architecture and Application Programming interface (API) - User defined functions and capabilities can be added to the CORVID Runtimes by adding new Java classes to the Inference Engine. This allows you to add special interfaces or mathematical techniques not built into CORVID. A built-in API allows your code to access any of the data in the system. CORVID can be integrated into the most specialized environments in ways that you can control.

System Run and Trace during Development - Both Applet and Servlet interfaces can be tested when a CORVID system is run in the development environment. For applets, the CORVID editor dynamically builds an HTML page. This allows the system to be run in the same environment as on the Web, and it enables the developer to test the system as it is being built. The Servlet delivery mode can be emulated even when there is no server to test on. The development tool can build the same HTML screens that the servlet will use, allowing a system to be tested with the templates that will be used to field it on the server. If a system is to be run stand-alone as an application, it can also be tested in that mode.

System Requirements

Java-based web. Per the above description, CORVID systems can be run from a standard Browser and can be integrated into existing Web sites. Systems using the Applet Runtime run client-side or standalone can be embedded in a Web page. Systems using the Servlet Runtime reside on the server, can match the look and feel of existing Web sites, and only send HyperText Markup Language (HTML) forms to the client machine. CORVID systems can be run from Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mini- browsers in some cell phones.

Manufacturer

Manufacturer Web Site EXSYS Inc.

Price

G6G Abstract Number 20035

G6G Manufacturer Number 101020