Graphical constraints: a graphical user interface for constraint problems

A constraint satisfaction problem is a classical artificial intelligence paradigm characterized by a set of variables (each variable with an associated domain of possible values), and a set of constraints that specify relations among subsets of these variables. Solutions are assignments of values to all variables that satisfy all the constraints. Many real world problems may be modelled by means of constraints. The range of problems that can use this representation is very diverse and embraces areas like resource allocation, scheduling, timetabling or vehicle routing. Constraint programming is a form of declarative programming in the sense that instead of specifying a sequence of steps to execute, it relies on properties of the solutions to be found, which are explicitly defined by constraints. The idea of constraint programming is to solve problems by stating constraints which must be satisfied by the solutions. Constraint programming is based on specialized constraint solvers that take advantage of constraints to search for solutions. The success and popularity of complex problem solving tools can be greatly enhanced by the availability of friendly user interfaces. User interfaces cover two fundamental areas: receiving information from the user and communicating it to the system; and getting information from the system and deliver it to the user. Despite its potential impact, adequate user interfaces are uncommon in constraint programming in general. The main goal of this project is to develop a graphical user interface that allows to, intuitively, represent constraint satisfaction problems. The idea is to visually represent the variables of the problem, their domains and the problem constraints and enable the user to interact with an adequate constraint solver to process the constraints and compute the solutions. Moreover, the graphical interface should be capable of configure the solver’s parameters and present solutions in an appealing interactive way. As a proof of concept, the developed application – GraphicalConstraints – focus on continuous constraint programming, which deals with real valued variables and numerical constraints (equations and inequalities). RealPaver, a state-of-the-art solver in continuous domains, was used in the application. The graphical interface supports all stages of constraint processing, from the design of the constraint network to the presentation of the end feasible space solutions as 2D or 3D boxes.

Da atividade dialógica: aspectos lógicos

CRUZ, Ângela M. P.; Lycurgo, Tassos. Da atividade dialógica: aspectos lógicos. Revista Vivência, Natal, v. 26, p. 51-58, 2004.

A Learning Function for Parameter Reduction in Spiking Neural Networks with Radial Basis Function

Spiking neural networks - networks that encode information in the timing of spikes - are arising as a new approach in the artificial neural networks paradigm, emergent from cognitive science. One of these new models is the pulsed neural network with radial basis function, a network able to store information in the axonal propagation delay of neurons. Learning algorithms have been proposed to this model looking for mapping input pulses into output pulses. Recently, a new method was proposed to encode constant data into a temporal sequence of spikes, stimulating deeper studies in order to establish abilities and frontiers of this new approach. However, a well known problem of this kind of network is the high number of free parameters - more that 15 - to be properly configured or tuned in order to allow network convergence. This work presents for the first time a new learning function for this network training that allow the automatic configuration of one of the key network parameters: the synaptic weight decreasing factor.

GRIOT - sistema CAD inteligente para design de calçados

O presente trabalho é o estudo dos aspectos da metodologia projetual, face às novas tecnologias da informática, Inteligência Artificial (Sistemas Especialistas) e CAD, consideradas as reais possibilidades de automatização no processo de concepção em Design. Esse artigo propõe uma metodologia para a construção de sistema inteligente capaz de auxiliar o designer nas tarefas projetuais. A indústria de calçados foi utilizada como estudo de caso para a aplicação da metodologia, onde as reais possibilidades de automação são verificadas.

Especificação de um bloco funcional implementando rede neural para redes industriais foundations fieldbus

This work proposes the specification of a new function block according to Foundation Fieldbus standards. The new block implements an artificial neural network, which may be useful in process control applications. The specification includes the definition of a main algorithm, that implements a neural network, as well as the description of some accessory functions, which provide safety characteristics to the block operation. Besides, it also describes the block attributes emphasizing its parameters, which constitute the block interfaces. Some experimental results, obtained from an artificial neural network implementation using actual standard functional blocks on a laboratorial FF network, are also shown, in order to demonstrate the possibility and also the convenience of integrating a neural network to Fieldbus devices

Separação cega de fontes lineares e não lineares usando algoritmo genético, redes neurais artificiais RBF e negentropia de Rényi como medida de independência

Conventional methods to solve the problem of blind source separation nonlinear, in general, using series of restrictions to obtain the solution, often leading to an imperfect separation of the original sources and high computational cost. In this paper, we propose an alternative measure of independence based on information theory and uses the tools of artificial intelligence to solve problems of blind source separation linear and nonlinear later. In the linear model applies genetic algorithms and Rényi of negentropy as a measure of independence to find a separation matrix from linear mixtures of signals using linear form of waves, audio and images. A comparison with two types of algorithms for Independent Component Analysis widespread in the literature. Subsequently, we use the same measure of independence, as the cost function in the genetic algorithm to recover source signals were mixed by nonlinear functions from an artificial neural network of radial base type. Genetic algorithms are powerful tools for global search, and therefore well suited for use in problems of blind source separation. Tests and analysis are through computer simulations

Análise de um controlador baseado no Jacobiano estimado da planta através de uma rede neural

This work presents an analysis of the control law based on an indirect hybrid scheme using neural network, initially proposed for O. Adetona, S. Sathanathan and L. H. Keel. Implementations of this control law, for a level plant of second order, was resulted an oscillatory behavior, even if the neural identifier has converged. Such results had motivated the investigation of the applicability of that law. Starting from that, had been made stability mathematical analysis and several implementations, with simulated plants and with real plants, for analyze the problem. The analysis has been showed the law was designed being despised some components of dynamic of the plant to be controlled. Thus, for plants that these components have a significant influence in its dynamic, the law tends to fail

Controle inteligente de sistemas eletroidráulicos utilizando redes neurais artificiais

This work describes the development of a nonlinear control strategy for an electro-hydraulic actuated system. The system to be controlled is represented by a third order ordinary differential equation subject to a dead-zone input. The control strategy is based on a nonlinear control scheme, combined with an artificial intelligence algorithm, namely, the method of feedback linearization and an artificial neural network. It is shown that, when such a hard nonlinearity and modeling inaccuracies are considered, the nonlinear technique alone is not enough to ensure a good performance of the controller. Therefore, a compensation strategy based on artificial neural networks, which have been notoriously used in systems that require the simulation of the process of human inference, is used. The multilayer perceptron network and the radial basis functions network as well are adopted and mathematically implemented within the control law. On this basis, the compensation ability considering both networks is compared. Furthermore, the application of new intelligent control strategies for nonlinear and uncertain mechanical systems are proposed, showing that the combination of a nonlinear control methodology and artificial neural networks improves the overall control system performance. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control system

An Optimum-Path Forest framework for intrusion detection in computer networks

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

HOW FAR do WE GET USING MACHINE LEARNING BLACK-BOXES?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A New Approach for Nontechnical Losses Detection Based on Optimum-Path Forest

Nowadays, fraud detection is important to avoid nontechnical energy losses. Various electric companies around the world have been faced with such losses, mainly from industrial and commercial consumers. This problem has traditionally been dealt with using artificial intelligence techniques, although their use can result in difficulties such as a high computational burden in the training phase and problems with parameter optimization. A recently-developed pattern recognition technique called optimum-path forest (OPF), however, has been shown to be superior to state-of-the-art artificial intelligence techniques. In this paper, we proposed to use OPF for nontechnical losses detection, as well as to apply its learning and pruning algorithms to this purpose. Comparisons against neural networks and other techniques demonstrated the robustness of the OPF with respect to commercial losses automatic identification.

Modeling of optoelectronic devices through neuro-fuzzy architectures

The advantages offered by the electronic component LED (Light Emitting Diode) have caused a quick and wide application of this device in replacement of incandescent lights. However, in its combined application, the relationship between the design variables and the desired effect or result is very complex and it becomes difficult to model by conventional techniques. This work consists of the development of a technique, through comparative analysis of neuro-fuzzy architectures, to make possible to obtain the luminous intensity values of brake lights using LEDs from design data.

A neural network approach for robust nonlinear parameter estimation in presence of unknown-but-bounded errors

Systems based on artificial neural networks have high computational rates due to the use of a massive number of simple processing elements and the high degree of connectivity between these elements. This paper presents a novel approach to solve robust parameter estimation problem for nonlinear model with unknown-but-bounded errors and uncertainties. More specifically, a modified Hopfield network is developed and its internal parameters are computed using the valid-subspace technique. These parameters guarantee the network convergence to the equilibrium points. A solution for the robust estimation problem with unknown-but-bounded error corresponds to an equilibrium point of the network. Simulation results are presented as an illustration of the proposed approach. Copyright (C) 2000 IFAC.