Abstract: The hardware-implemented rule-based expert system of this invention is suitable for performing high speed inferencing in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, and is characterized by being domain independent so that it can be applied to a variety of different application domains. The expert system includes a working memory in which, at the beginning of an inferencing operation, is stored known information or facts pertaining to the application domain. Additionally, a rule memory is provided for storing a rule set for the application domain. The rule set is comprised of a series of instructions, each defining a condition or an action. Instructions are successively loaded from the rule memory into via a first data bus. The logic unit successively executes the instructions in working memory with reference to the stored facts in working memory to thereby deduce new facts. The logic unit is coupled to working memory via a second data bus.

Abstract: A computer-aided system and method is disclosed for designing an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) whose intended function is implemented both by a hardware subsystem including hardware elements on the integrated circuit and by a software subsystem including a general purpose microprocessor also on the integrated circuit. The system also generates software instructions for use by the software subsystem. The system utilizes a knowledge based expert system, with a knowledge base extracted from expert ASIC designers, and thus makes it possible for ASIC's to be designed and provided quickly and economically by persons not having the highly specialized skill of an ASIC designer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-aided design system and method for designing an application specific integrated circuit which enables a user to define functional architecture independent specifications for the integrated circuit and which translates the functional architecture independent specifications into the detailed information needed for directly producing the integrated circuit. The functional architecture independent specifications of the desired integrated circuit can be defined at the functional architecture independent level in a flowchart format. From the flowchart, the system and method uses artificial intelligence and expert systems technology to generate a system controller, to select the necessary integrated circuit hardware cells needed to achieve the functional specifications, and to generate data and control paths for operation of the integrated circuit. This list of hardware cells and their interconnection requirements is set forth in a netlist.