A distributed fuzzy constraint satisfaction system with context-based reasoning

This paper presents a fuzzy constraint satisfaction system which can be used in a distributive environment and, through an example, identifies contexts which exist within the constraint satisfaction system. The fuzzy constraint satisfaction system utilizes value propagation on constraints through the use of formal logic and theorem proving. The system has been designed to work in a distributive environment such that large problems can be broken down into smaller constraint networks for easier processing. Context-based reasoning is identified both within and among constraint networks. The paper begins with the motivation behind this research, followed by a description of the fuzzy constraint satisfaction system FuzCon. It concludes by identifying three mappings of the context-based reasoningistoperator to fuzzy constraints and by showing an example of designing a printed wiring board.