PROGRAMMING COMPUTER CONTROLLERS BY GIVING EXAMPLES
Date
1987-06-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
It is difficult for non-experts to specify a new procedure to a
computer controlled system. The problem is that non-programmers,
and sometimes skilled programmers, have difficulty in setting up
new tasks. If we expect robots and other programmable computer
controlled systems to expand in the market place, then the set up
cost for new tasks must be reduced. Specifying new procedures to
a system controller is difficult because existing systems need a
description \fIin a programming language.\fR People do not find
it easy to translate their natural knowledge of a task into programs.
Some existing robots can be led through a fixed sequence of
movements, which are recorded for later repetition (e.g. spray-painting
robots). Thus a user can specify that a fixed sequence
be automated, without needing programming expertise. However, once
the sequence must be edited, the user must employ some programming
expertise. This paper examines a technique for editing robot
sequences verbally. This verbal correction scheme would enable a teacher
to make online adjustments to a robot's action sequence, using his
natural verbal ability. As well as editing, conditionals, iteration
and data structures are required in procedures. Methods for a user to
naturally specify these are briefly discussed.
Description
Keywords
Computer Science