Variational systems: a basis for new production-support programming

摘要

This paper gives a brief overview of a production-support applications paradigm together with a rigorous design basis for automated information processes which sever that paradigm. The paradigm encompasses both processes which serve that paradigm. The paradigm encompasses both process monitoring and process control. Relational (data base) theory is extended with mathematics by which the half-open value intervals (a,b) on the reals can be utilized as a value domain for relation attributes. These extensions are packaged as variational relatiions, together with a "device," the illuminator, by which loop structures can be programmed to partition and combine relation records. An abstract class of reduction processes is shown to enable diverse functionality relating to signal filtering and dispersion measurement. A core concept, assigned neighborhood characteristic, is applied with the illuminator to create a seven-component design framework.