A FRAME FOR FRAMES

This chapter presents the idea of frames, discusses desirable features of a representation for knowledge, and illustrates them with a specific example.

Abstract

This chapter presents the idea of frames, discusses desirable features of a representation for knowledge, and illustrates them with a specific example. A frame is a specialist in a small domain. It contains the knowledge necessary to create a description of an element of its domain from observed data. The frame for an object can have associated with it the frames for actions which commonly affect that object, so that predictions can be made about required modifications to the description. The frame is capable of predicting unobserved features, and of using previous observations to refine its predictions. These predictions can guide the recognition process, and provide answers to questions before that process is complete. An observation that is inconsistent with the expectations of the frames can suggest a better frame as a replacement. Much of the partially constructed description can be incorporated into the new frame, which continues the recognition process.