Abstract: In a production system having a memory for storing a group of rules each comprising a condition part and a conclusion part, inference means for inferring by using the group of rules and a working memory, whether a condition part is true or false in the working memory is determined, and if it cannot be determined, a rule having a conclusion part as to whether the fact is true or false is searched, and the conclusion part of the searched rule is used for backward reasoning. If the rule is not found by the search, an inquiry is made to a user.

Abstract: In an analysis processor which utilizes a parameter table for setting a processing condition and analyzes data in accordance with the content of table, a process for registering/correcting the parameter table is standarized for various analysis processing programs so that each of the analysis processing programs is divided into an analysis processing procedure instruction section and a parameter table section. Thus, a plurality of different analysis process can be performed in one analysis processor. Any table in the analysis processing programs may be readily referred to by an instruction through a keyboard of the analysis processor and may be registered and corrected. Thus, a user can alter the analysis processing program as he/she desires.

Abstract: In a method of estimating a fracture point of a pipe line network, a group of estimating rules based on distribution characteristics of extraordinary pressure variation, pipe line characteristics and flow continuity requirements in a fracture accident monitoring system for such networks represented by a large scale water distribution pipe line network are applied to reference data of flow rates and pressures both obtained in the normal consumption condition, and to measured data of the flow rate and the pressure to estimate the fracture point. In the method, application order of individual ones of the group of the estimating rules is decided in accordance with data conditions of the pipe line network.