Abstract: Fuzzy knowledge stored in a knowledge base is written into a memory. When fuzzy reasoning is executed by a fuzzy reasoning unit based on the content of the memory, a control unit in a central processing unit may modify the knowledge base in the memory. The control unit is programmed such that after it has modified the knowledge base in the memory, it causes a reasoning execution unit to repeatedly and automatically execute predetermined fuzzy reasoning by the number of times corresponding to the number of input data. The control unit also modifies the knowledge base and causes the reasoning execution unit to execute the fuzzy reasoning. By reading out the knowledge base in the memory, it is possible to verify the validity of the fuzzy knowledge without executing the simulation of the fuzzy reasoning. The fuzzy reasoning course of the reasoning execution unit may be stored in another memory.

Abstract: In a computer system having a storage unit for storing at least one of a program and knowledge used for solving a problem, an input/output unit for inputting a problem to be presently solved, and an execution unit for obtaining a proposed solution of one of the problem to be presently solved and a partial problem of the problem, by using at least one of the program and knowledge in the storage unit, an inference processing method includes the steps of storing a modification case generated upon modification of a solution, calculating a portion, unable to be solved by the proposed solution obtained by the execution unit, of one of the problem to be solved and the partial problem, searching for a modification case containing a problem similar to the unsolved portion, from the modification cases generated upon modification of solutions to problems, correlating the searched modification case with the proposed solution obtained by the execution unit, and modifying the proposed solution obtained by the execution uni

Abstract: The present invention discloses a consultation system which stores the intention of a client, processing know-how of consultation and progress status of consultation in addition to an expertise of the field of consultation, the status of client and reply, and accomplishes the flow of consultation in accordance with the intention and reaction of the client. Thus, the client can ask advices or expert's opinion in accordance with his desire.

Abstract: In a case where an electronic circuit having the same function is to be realized by a different device, it is indispensable to prepare circuit diagrams conforming to devices and to utilize them for the job of circuit simulation or chip layout. When the circuit diagrams are to be automatically translated for the above purpose, translation rules become different depending upon the connective relations of an element to be translated, with other elements in the circuit or upon a function performed by the element. The present invention puts the rules into knowledge from the viewpoint of knowledge engineering and utilizes it thereby to realize the intended purpose.

Abstract: In order to translate an original circuit consisting of a set of first devices into a target circuit which consists of a set of second devices different from the first devices, and which has the same functions as the original circuit, provision is made of memory means for storing translation rules in the first devices, translation rules in the second devices, and translation rules between the first devices and the second devices, and translation means which successively refers to these translation rules and translates the original circuit data into the target circuit data via steps that translate the original circuit data into a plurality of intermediate data.