Planning-based visual programming for sequence control

This paper describes the planning-based visual programming for sequence control in the prototype system: VIPS/S-SFCD (Visual Programming System for Sequence control program Specification Design). VIPS/S-SFCD features: 1) a rehearsal-based visual programming technique in which designers specify the goal states of machines using graphical representations, and 2) a planning method that infers machine actions and generates the control program specifications. This planning is based on the state space model and the concept of scope for efficient searches. The advantages of using VIPS/S-SFCD include: 1) the designers can reduce errors in writing the specifications because they can easily understand the actions and the states of the machines; 2) they can improve the reliability of the specifications because VIPS/S-SFCD generates the appropriate parts of the specifications by planning; and 3) they also can reduce the design time of the specifications because high level instructions are used that closely reflect their thought process.<>