Element-based knowledge representation in intelligent design and its prototype for knowledge processing

Knowledge representation is a central problem in intelligent design, where there are a number of contradictory problems. In order to overcome the limitations of existing knowledge representation methods in processing contradictory problems, this paper proposes a novel scheme of knowledge representation based on basicelement in Extenics. The definitions and the features of the basic-element are firstly introduced. The element-based knowledge representation system (EKRS) is defined, in which the structures and the grammar for EKRS are present. In EKRS, Extension reasoning is provided for solving the contradictory problems. Methods of Extension reasoning are described in detail. An EKRS prototype has been developed, and an example in intelligent design is finally provided to illustrate the feasibility of EKRS in solving the contradictory problems.