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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A mobile radio telephone communication systems provides for rapid
system access and registration of mobile phones when the mobile
phone operates in an area outside of its home service area. A preferred
mobile phone system for a mobile phone is identified before the
mobile phone originates a call by determining a location for the
mobile phone and selecting the preferred system from a database
stored in the mobile phone using the determined location.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of identifying a preferred mobile phone system for
a mobile phone before originating a call, comprising the steps of:
monitoring one or more channels of one or more frequency bands,
in the mobile phone, until a mobile phone system identifier is received;
using the mobile phone system identifier to determine a location
identifier for the mobile phone from a database stored in the mobile
phone; and
selecting a preferred mobile phone system for the mobile phone
from the database stored in the mobile phone using the determined
location identifier.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone system identifier
is received from any one of a plurality of mobile phone systems.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the database includes information
related to the preferred mobile phone system selected from a group
comprising a system identifier, network identifier, frequency band,
paging channel, and service option.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the record is retrieved using
a system ID transmitted by a mobile phone system.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the database comprises a knowledge
base.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the database comprises a call
history for the mobile phone.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the database comprises a rule
base.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the rule base is generated from
a knowledge base.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein an inference engine matches location
identifier determined from the mobile phone system identifier with
criteria form the rule base using a heuristic approach to generate
information for the knowledge base.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the rule base is comprised of
one or more rules of the form "if conditions then do actions".
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the conditions are matched
with information selected from a group comprising location information,
call history information, date and time information, and derived
information.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the rules are modified based
on information in the knowledge base.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting
another preferred system from the database stored in the mobile
phone using the determined location identifier associated with the
mobile phone system identifier.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are performed by one
or more computer programs executed by a processor in the mobile
phone.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the computer programs or databases
are loaded into the memory of the mobile phone using one or more
storage techniques selected from a group comprising programming
the computer programs or databases into the memory of the mobile
phone via a keypad, downloading the computer programs or databases
into the memory of the mobile phone via interfacing to an external
system, and downloading the computer programs or databases into
the memory of the mobile phone via communications on a radio frequency
(RF) channel.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the computer programs or databases
are updated manually or automatically by the mobile phone, the user,
or the service provider.
17. A mobile phone for identifying a preferred mobile phone system
before originating a call, comprising:
a transceiver coupled to an antenna; and
a processor, coupled to the transceiver and a memory, for controlling
the transceiver, for monitoring one or more channels of one or more
frequency bands received by the transceiver until a mobile phone
system identifier is received, for using the mobile phone system
identifier to determine a location for the mobile phone from a database
stored in the mobile phone, and for selecting a preferred mobile
phone system for the mobile phone from database stored in the memory
of the mobile phone using the determined location identifier.
18. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the mobile phone system
identifier is received from any one of a plurality of mobile phone
systems.
19. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the database includes
information related to the preferred mobile phone system selected
from a group comprising a system identifier, network identifier,
frequency band, paging channel, and service option.
20. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the record is retrieved
using a system ID transmitted by a mobile phone system.
21. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the database comprises
a knowledge base.
22. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the database comprises
a call history for the mobile phone.
23. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the database comprises
a rule base.
24. The mobile phone of claim 23, wherein the rule base is generated
from a knowledge base.
25. The mobile phone of claim 24, wherein an inference engine matches
the location identifier determined from the mobile phone system
identifier with criteria from the rule base using a heuristic approach
to generate information for the knowledge base.
26. The mobile phone of claim 23, wherein the rule base is comprised
of one or more rules of the form "if conditions then do actions".
27. The mobile phone of claim 26, wherein the conditions are matched
with information selected from a group comprising location information,
call history information, date and time information, and derived
information.
28. The mobile phone of claim 26, wherein the rules are modified
based on information in the knowledge base.
29. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the processor selects
another preferred system from the database stored in the mobile
phone using the determined location identifier associated with the
mobile phone system identifier.
30. The mobile phone of claim 17, wherein the processor executes
one or more computer programs.
31. The mobile phone of claim 30, wherein the computer programs
or databases are loaded into the memory of the mobile phone using
one or more storage techniques selected from a group comprising
programming the computer programs or databases into the memory of
the mobile phone via a keypad, downloading the computer programs
or databases into the memory of the mobile phone via interfacing
to an external system, and downloading the computer programs or
databases into the memory of the mobile phone via communications
on a radio frequency (RF) channel.
32. The mobile phone of claim 30, wherein the computer programs
or databases are updated manually or automatically by the mobile
phone, the user, or the service provider.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
textBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to mobile radio telephone communication
systems, and more specifically, to rapid system access end registration
for mobile phones when the mobile phone operates in an area outside
of its home service area.
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile phones, which include cellular phones, personal communications
systems (PCS) phones, enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR) phones,
and other radio telephone technologies, combine the mobility of
the radio link and the world-wide land telephone network to provide
a mobile communications link to any telephone in the world. As mobile
phones have become more prevalent throughout the world, the number
of system operators have increased.
A service provider or system operator, such as the assignee AirTouch
Communications, Inc. and others, may operate mobile phone systems
in different markets using different frequency bands (e.g., different
portions of the allocated spectrum) and different types of systems
(e.g., FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc.). When a mobile phone roams
outside of its home service area, it is desirable that its calls
use a preferred system, e.g., one operated by the same service provider
as its home service area or one operated by another service provider
having some relationship with the service provider of its home service
area. However, the preferred system may be operating within the
foreign service area on a different frequency band than the home
service area. As a result, the mobile phone must also identify a
frequency band and system type associated with a preferred system
in a foreign service area to use for its communications.
Generally, a mobile phone identifies a preferred system by scanning
for one or more System IDs (SIDs) and/or Group IDs (GIDs) and/or
Network IDs (NIDs) associated with one or more preferred service
providers. The SID is a binary identification value uniquely assigned
to a mobile phone system, the GID is a subset of the most significant
bits of the SID that are used to identify a group of mobile phone
systems, e.g., those mobile phone systems operated by AirTouch Communications,
Inc., the assignee of the present invention, or other service providers,
and the NID indicates the location within that Major Trading Area
(MTA) serviced by the mobile phone system. The SID, GID, and/or
NID are typically embedded within control data transmitted by the
mobile phone system.
In a roaming situation outside the mobile phone's home service
area, the mobile phone may have to scan a large number of frequency
bands in order to identify a preferred system. For example, according
to the presently allocated spectrum, the mobile phone may have to
scan: 1) Cellular Band A; 2) Cellular Band B; 3) PCS Band A; 4)
PCS Band B; 5) PCS Band C; 6) PCS Band D; 7) PCS Band E; and 8)
PCS Band F. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that,
in the future, the mobile phone may have to also scan other allocated
spectrums.
In addition, beginning in 1996, the FCC has allowed current license
holders of particular frequency bands to sell or lease sub-bands
to other service providers. Thus, in a roaming situation outside
the mobile phone's home service area, the mobile phone may also
have to scan a large number of sub-bands as well.
As a result, it is difficult and time-consuming for a roaming mobile
phone to locate a preferred system due to the large number of possible
frequency bands, sub-bands, and possible setup channels that may
have to be scanned by the mobile phone. Indeed, users may not have
the patience to wait for this scanning process to complete. Thus,
there is a need in the art for methods of rapid system access and
registration for roaming mobile phones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and
to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading
and understanding the present specification, the present invention
discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapid
system access and registration of mobile phones when the mobile
phone operates in an area outside of its home service area. A preferred
mobile phone system for a mobile phone is identified before the
mobile phone originates a call by determining a location for the
mobile phone and selecting the preferred system from a database
stored in the mobile phone using the determined location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent
corresponding parts throughout:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of mobile phone
systems according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile
phone;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates the structures, components,
and environment of the present invention; and
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate possible structures for the knowledge
base according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference
is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and
in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment
in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood
that other embodiments may be utilized as structural changes may
be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Overview
The present invention discloses a method for rapid system access
and registration for a mobile phone when the mobile phone operates
in an area outside of its home service area. Generally, special
agreements between service providers allow for unrestricted roaming
by their respective subscribers. Charges incurred by the roaming
subscriber are transmitted back to the service provider in the home
service area, which pays the service provider of the foreign service
area and then, in turn, bills the subscriber. Accordingly, it is
desirable that a roaming mobile phone use the same system or a preferred
system (by a preferred service provider) for reasons such as economical
or technical advantages.
According to the present invention, the first step for rapid system
access and registration is for the mobile phone to determine its
location from information gleaned from one or more channels in one
or more frequency bands that may not be the frequency bands desired
for actual operation. For example, a mobile phone, when turned on,
may scan for available channels in a particular frequency band.
The mobile phone monitors the channels until it identifies a SID,
GID, and/or NID transmitted by the mobile phone system. Using this
SID, GID, and/or NID, the mobile phone identifies its current location
from a comparison with stored information and uses a computer-implemented
method to identify a preferred system for the location, including
frequency band, setup channels (if any), and system type (if necessary).
Generally, this computer-implemented method is used when the mobile
phone monitors a nationwide system, such as analog cellular. In
addition, this computer-implemented method typically relies on one
or more computer programs executed by a microprocessor within the
mobile phone and a database of information stored in a memory within
the mobile phone.
Mobile Phone System
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of mobile phone
systems 102, 104, 106, 108 according to the present invention. Each
of these mobile phone systems 102, 104, 106, 108 may comprise a
cellular phone system, PCS phone system, ESMR phone system, or other
radio telephone system. In addition, each of these mobile phone
systems 102, 104, 106, 108 may be operated by the same or different
service providers. Further, each of these mobile phone systems 102,
104, 106, 108 may operate on any one or more of a number of different
frequency bands.
For example, according to the presently allocated spectrum, the
mobile phone systems 102, 104, 106, 108 may operate on the following
frequency bands: 1) Cellular Band A; 2) Cellular Band B; 3) PCS
Band A; 4) PCS Band B; 5) PCS Band C; 6) PCS Band D; 7) PCS Band
E; and 8) PCS Band F. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize
that, in the future, the mobile phone systems 102, 104, 106, 108
may also operate within other frequency bands. In addition, those
skilled in the art will recognize that the mobile phone systems
102, 104, 106, 108 may also operate within sub-portions of any frequency
band.
The basic concept of each of the mobile phone systems 102, 104,
106, 108 is to increase the availability of mobile phone service
by reducing the area covered by transceivers 110. In this way, concentrated
areas of usage have more transceivers 110, and thus more channels,
because each transceiver 110 handles a given number of conversations.
The service area for each of the mobile phone systems 102, 104,
106, 108 is divided into regions called cells 112, each of which
has the necessary equipment to transmit and receive calls to and
from any mobile phone 114 located in the cell 112. Generally, transceivers
110 in each cell 112 can transmit and receive on a plurality of
channels.
Each cell 112 usually has at least one setup channel dedicated
to signaling between the cell 112 and mobile phones 114 within the
cell 112. Setup channels can be classified by usage into two types:
access channels and paging channels. An access channel is used for
mobile-originating calls and paging channels are used for land-originating
calls. The remaining channels are used for conversation.
The transceivers 110 in one or more of the cells 112 are controlled
by one or more base station controllers (BSC) 116. The base site
controllers 116 within each of the mobile phone systems 102, 104,
106, 108 are interconnected and controlled by one or more Mobile
Telecommunications Switching Offices (MTSOs) 118.
An MTSO 118 is basically a telephone switching office as far as
hardware is concerned, but includes a substantial amount of additional
equipment for controlling the mobile phone systems 102, 104, 106,
108. The MTSOs 118 not only connects the mobile phone systems 102,
104, 106, 108 to the land-based telephone network, but also directly
or indirectly connects each of the mobile phone systems 102, 104,
106, 108 to one another.
Each of the mobile phone systems 102, 104, 106, 108 is identified
by a System Identification Number (SID) and/or a Group Identification
Number (GID) and/or a Network Identification Number (NID). Generally,
a mobile phone 114 is programmed with a SID, GID, and/or NID at
subscription time, and identifies a preferred system (operated by
a preferred service provider) by scanning for frequency bands for
the SIDs, GIDs, and/or NIDs. Often, the sequence of frequency bands
to be scanned is specified at subscription time, to ensure that
the frequency band of the preferred system in the home service area
of the mobile phone 114 is scanned first. Of course, as described
above, in a roaming situation outside the home service area of the
mobile phone 114, the mobile phone 114 may have to scan a large
number of frequency bands in order to identify a preferred system.
Mobile Phone
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile
phone 114. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that
this embodiment is provided for illustration purposes and is not
intended to limit the present invention to exact structure shown.
Indeed, those skilled in the art will recognize that other components
and structures may be used for the mobile phone 114 without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
A mobile phone 114 generally comprises a control unit, transceiver,
and antenna. Each mobile phone 114 usually has a unique electronic
serial number (ESN). Additionally, each mobile phone 114 usually
is assigned a 10-digit telephone number, known as a mobile identification
number (MIN).
In this embodiment, the mobile phone 114 contains an RF section
202, an audio section 204, a control section 206, and a user interface
section 208. The RF section 202 contains a receiver 210, a duplexer
212, and a transmitter 214. The duplexer 212 is connected to an
antenna 216 of the mobile phone 114 via transmission line 218. The
duplexer 212 is also coupled to the receiver 210 and the transmitter
214. When a signal is received by the antenna 216, the signal is
directed by the duplexer 212 to the receiver 210. The receiver then
passes this signal along to the audio section 204. When the mobile
phone 114 emits signals from the transmitter 214, the transmitter
214 passes those signals along to the duplexer 212 which passes
the signals on to the antenna 216 via transmission line 218.
The audio section 204 is comprised of receiver circuits 220, a
Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) converter 226, a tone generator
228, and transmitter circuits 230. The receiver circuits are 220
coupled to the receiver 210, the DTMF converter 226 and the tone
generator 228. The transmitter circuits 230 are coupled to the tone
generator 228 and the transmitter 214. When a signal is received
at the antenna 216, the receiver 210 demodulates the signal and
strips off the carrier frequency such that the receiver circuit
220 can process the baseband signal. Some signals will include DTMF
signals, which are tonal equivalents to numbers or characters on
the key pad. The receiver circuit 220 passes those DTMF tones along
to the DTMF converter 226 via path 222. Control signals received
at the receiver circuit 220 will be passed to the controller 232
in the control section 206 via path 224. Audio signals will be sent
from the receiver circuit 220 to the speaker 244 in the user interface
section 208 via path 234. The tone generator 228 generates tones
for the receiver circuit 220 so a user can hear the tones associated
with the numerical keys being depressed by the user. The tone generator
228 also generates tones for the transmitter circuit 230 so that
those tones can be passed on to the transmitter 214 and transmitted
to the mobile phone system via antenna 216.
The control section 206 is comprised of controller 232, memory
236, interface 238, keypad controller 240, and jack 242. The controller
232 is coupled to the memory 236, the keypad controller 240, and
the interface 238. The jack 242 is coupled to the interface 238,
the duplexer 212, the receiver circuit 220, and the transmitter
circuit 230. The keypad controller 240, in addition to being coupled
to the controller 232, is coupled to the display 248 and the keypad
246, located in the user interface section 208.
The controller 232 receives inputs from the receiver circuit 220
via path 224 and from the DTMF converter 226 via path 222. Using
these inputs, the controller 232 accesses the memory 236 to send
proper commands to other units within the mobile phone 114. For
example, when a user presses a key on the keypad 246, a signal is
sent to the keypad controller 240, which sends a signal to the receiver
circuit 220 indicating which key was pressed. The receiver circuit
220 sends a signal to the controller 232 via path 224, which then
sends a signal to the keypad controller 240 to show the user which
key was pressed via display 248.
Interface 238 allows an external connection to the controller 232
via jack 242. Jack 242 also allows external connections to receiver
circuit 220, transmitter circuit 230, and duplexer 212 for such
items as facsimile machines and modems.
The user interface section 208 is comprised of speaker 244, display
248, keypad 246, and microphone 250. Speaker 244 is coupled to receiver
circuit 220. Keypad 246 and display 248 are coupled to keypad controller
240, and microphone 250 is coupled to transmitter circuit 230.
Rapid System Access and Registration
FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates the structures, components,
and environment of the present invention. In general, the present
invention is implemented using computer programs and databases stored
in the memory 236 of the mobile phone 114 and executed by the microprocessor
232 of the mobile phone 114. These computer programs and databases
are comprised of instructions and data which, when read, executed,
and/or interpreted by the microprocessor 232, causes the mobile
phone 114 to perform the steps necessary to implement and/or use
the present invention. The computer programs may include an inference
engine 302, data collection 304, induction engine 306, clock 308,
expert system 310, and rule base 312, while the databases may include
a call history database 314, location information 316, and knowledge
base 318. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that
some or all of these components may or may not be present without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
Generally, the computer programs and databases are embodied in
memory 236 of the mobile phone 114. Of course, the computer programs
and databases must be loaded into the memory 236 of the mobile phone
114 using one of a number of different techniques, such as programming
via the keypad 246, downloading via interfacing to an external system
via the jack 242, downloading via communications on a radio frequency
(RF) channel, etc. Generally, the computer programs and database
are programmed and/or stored into the mobile phone 114 by the service
provider at subscription time and may be updated manually or automatically
by itself, the user, or the service provider using any one of a
number of different methods. Thus, the present invention may be
implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using
standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the structure, components,
and environment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are not intended
to limit the present invention. Indeed, those skilled in the art
will recognize that other structures, components, and environments
may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
According to the present invention, the inference engine 302 uses
information that may include but is not limited to one or more of
the following: location information 316, call history information
314, date and time 308, derived information, and/or other information.
The inference engine 302 matches the information with criteria from
the rule base 312 using a heuristic approach to generate information
for the knowledge base 318, which is comprised of, for example,
preferred frequency band selections, paging channels for the preferred
frequency band selections, and/or other information that meet criteria
established by the rule base 312.
In one example, if the mobile phone 114 has an analog cellular
mode, it may scan either or both Cellular Bands A and B. Since the
Cellular Bands are used/deployed everywhere in North America, the
SID and/or NID from either or both Cellular Bands A and B can then
be used to determine the location of the mobile phone 114. Once
the location is determined, the present invention can identify one
or more preferred systems.
Generally, the selection of Cellular Band A or B to scan first
is a rule that is programmed at subscription time. Currently, most
mobile phones 114 are cellular phones and preliminary evidence suggests
that the majority of subscribers never roam from their home service
area. Moreover, of those subscribers who occasionally roam, it is
estimated that 75% to 85% limit their roaming to contiguous service
areas or a regional service area close to their home service area.
This leaves a mere 5% to 10% of subscribers who roam to distant
locations within North America. This example uses this information
to rapidly identify a preferred system.
In another example, if the mobile phone 114 does not have an analog
cellular mode, it may scan either or both digital cellular Bands
A and B and PCS Bands A and B to determine its location, wherein
generally digital cellular or PCS Band A is tried first, and then
digital cellular or PCS Band B. Although the PCS Bands A and B are
deployed everywhere in North America, each PCS Band in one Major
Trading Area (MTA) may use one of a number of different standards,
so this embodiment is dependent on the mobile phone 114 being able
to identify and/or use the standard present in PCS Band A or B.
Again, once the location is determined, the present invention can
identify one or more preferred systems.
In yet another example, the mobile phone 114 records information
concerning its call history 314 and uses that information to first
"guess" at the selection of one or more preferred systems.
If the first "guess" is not successful, then the mobile
phone 114 uses the technique of the previous example to determined
its location.
In still another example, the user can enter their location using
the keypad 246 of the mobile phone 114. This information is then
used to identify one or more preferred systems.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of methods
beyond those described above can be used to determine the location
of the mobile phone 114 without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Indeed, those skilled in the art will recognize
that any number of methods beyond those described above can be used
to determine a preferred system without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
Knowledge Base
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate possible structures for the knowledge
base 318 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates
a table stored in the memory of the mobile phone 114 that includes
the SID 402, Location 404, Frequency Band 406, and Paging Channel
408; FIG. 5 illustrates a table stored in the memory of the mobile
phone 114 that includes the SID 502, NID 504, Frequency Band 506,
Paging Channel 508, # of Calls Made 510, Last Time 512, and Service
Option 514 (for example, if the cell site is using Enhanced Variable
Rate Code (EVRC) option).
Usually, the knowledge base 318 contains a number of usable frequency
bands for a number of locations. If, for some reason, the first
frequency band cannot be used, the system has the ability to supply
second, third, or as many options as may be necessary until the
possible solutions are exhausted. Such multiple solution information
is stored in the knowledge base 318.
Initially, there will be little information in the knowledge base
318. At subscription time, the knowledge base 318 may be programmed
by the service provider. Alternatively, the knowledge base 318,
may be created automatically from the inference engine 302, based
on the inputs from the call history database 314, location information
316, and the rule base 312. In addition, the knowledge base 318
may be enhanced through operation and monitoring of the system.
Further, the knowledge base 318 may be updated, either manually
or automatically, from time to time.
Rule Base
A typical application for the present invention might use any number
of rules, wherein an initial set of rules may be loaded into the
rule base 312 and/or provided by the expert system 310. Further,
all the rules for the present invention are relatively simple. For
example, the rules in the rule base 312 may comprise the form of
"if conditions then do actions". The location information
316 is provided as input data to the rules. Then, the inference
engine 302 interprets the rules:
Step 1: The information and condition of a rule are matched.
Step 2: A rule with a satisfied condition is selected.
Step 3: The actions specified in the selected rule are performed.
Step 4: Repeat for all rules.
Typical rules for the present system may be described as follows.
In this example, a CDMA mobile phone 114 is roaming in a foreign
system. The mobile phone 114 then uses the following rules:
1. If: Cellular band A is not CDMA, Then: scan Cellular band B.
2. If: location is in California, Then: scan PCS Band C first.
3. If: time is between 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Then: scan a sub-band
of PCS Band D.
A feature of the present invention is a self-learning capability.
The self-learning capability results from feedback to the rule base
312 or the induction engine 306 from the knowledge base 318, as
shown by feedback paths in FIG. 3. For example, rules may be selected
or deleted based on successful connections and this capacity for
selecting rules or deleting rules may also be established in rule
base 312. If the suggested connection obtained from the knowledge
base 318 is successful, then the rules associated with this connection
should be given greater relative weight than other rules. This weight
will be communicated back to the rule base 312 from the knowledge
base 318.
In FIG. 3, a feedback loop is shown from the knowledge base 318
to the rule base 312 by which modification of the rules can be made
by selecting or deleting rules based on information in the knowledge
base 318. The rules in the rule base 312 at the time when the system
begins operation can be preprogrammed, or a set of rules can be
derived by running various examples through the system. For example,
the rules for the rule base 312 may be formulated by the induction
engine 306, which operates by induction on information found in
the knowledge base 318. In another example, the expert system 310
can either provide rules directly or give the examples which can
be converted to rules by the induction engine 306. These features
of the present invention allow for the possibility of growth in
capabilities, includes the development of more efficient rules and
additional improved criteria.
Conclusion
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention
has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description.
It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to
the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be limited not with this detailed description,
but rather by the claims appended hereto. |