A model to perform knowledge-based temporal abstraction over multiple signals

In this paper, we propose the multivariable fuzzy temporal profile model (MFTP), which enables the projection of expert knowledge on a physical system over a computable description. This description may be used to perform automatic abstraction on a set of parameters that represent the temporal evolution of the system. This model is based on the constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) formalism, which enables an explicit representation of the knowledge, and on fuzzy set theory, from which it inherits the ability to model the imprecision and uncertainty that are characteristics of human knowledge vagueness. We also present an application of the MFTP model to the recognition of landmarks in mobile robotics, specifically to the detection of doors on ultrasound sensor signals from a Nomad 200 robot.