A fault diagnosis system based on parallel interaction

The authors present a fault diagnosis system with parallel reasoning and interaction. Flexible reasoning requires the following functions: (a) to run multiple goal-driven reasoning processes in parallel, and (b) to control the reasoning processes dynamically in the user initiative or the system initiative mode. Multiple queries are shown simultaneously in the query window. The user may select and answer only important queries related to his current focus. The user can alter the diagnostic strategy voluntarily and dynamically according to the stage reached in the diagnosis session. Application of this system to an operating system driving a rotary cutting machine is shown.<>