Linguistic Geometry: Summary

For many years (1972-1988) in Moscow, Russia, as a Project Leader, Professor Stilman was involved in the research and implementation of large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems within the framework of the PIONEER Project. He developed power control and maintenance systems, short and long-range planning systems, control systems, and advanced computer chess systems. Project PIONEER was directed by Professor Mikhail Botvinnik, Former World Chess Champion.

Since 1991, Professor Stilman has been developing a new area in Artificial Intelligence entitled a Linguistic Geometry (LG). LG is based on his experiences of the PIONEER Project, on the investigation of sophisticated human heuristics resulting in highly selective searches, on integration of experimental and theoretical approaches. These heuristics were gleaned from the best known experts in the field, in particular, from Botvinnik's self-analysis of his brilliant method of playing chess.

Extensive research experience, unique experimental data, and mathematics/computer science background helped Dr. Stilman to make generalizations, construct the new mathematical model, taking into account the theoretical concepts which seemed to be unrelated to the main problem. This resulted in the development of the syntactic approach to complex hierarchical systems, Linguistic Geometry. LG promises considerable advances in Robotics, Space Navigation, Control, Planning, Scheduling, VLSI Design, Intelligent Manufacturing, and other practical areas. This research includes the development of syntactic tools for knowledge representation and reasoning about large-scale hierarchical complex systems. It relies on the formalization and transfer of search heuristics of highly-skilled human experts that have resulted in the development of successful applications in different areas. It is based on the broad application of the theory of formal languages and grammars. The syntactic tools allow us to decompose complex systems into a dynamic hierarchy of subsystems in the form of hierarchical networks of paths, and thus solve intractable problems by reducing the search dramatically (e.g., from billions to tens).

Since 1992, 12 journal and more than 40 conference papers on LG have been published or accepted for publication. Currently, Professor Stilman is working on a special issue of the journal devoted exclusively to LG. A list of journal papers is given below. For a complete list of related publications click HERE.

1.      Stilman, B., From Serial to Concurrent Motions in Multiagent Systems: A
         Linguistic Geometry Approach, Journal of Systems Engineering, (invited
          paper), 1996 (to appear).

2.      Stilman, B., Network Languages for Concurrent Multiagent Systems, An 
         International Journal: Computers  &  Mathematics with Applications., 1996 
         (to appear) Download Draft.

3.      Stilman, B., Network Languages for Intelligent Control, An International 
         Journal: Computers  &  Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp.
          91-118, 1996,
          Download Draft.

4.      Stilman, B., A Linguistic Geometry: Methodology and Techniques,
         Cybernetics and Systems Ð An International Journal, Vol. 26, No. 5, pp.
          343-405, Sept. 1995

5.      Stilman, B., A Linguistic Geometry for Control Systems Design,
          International Journal of Computers and Their Applications, Vol. 1, No. 2,
          pp. 89-110, (invited paper), Dec. 1994.

6.      Stilman, B., Heuristic Networks for Space Exploration, Telematics and   
          Informatics,  An Int.  Journal on Telecommunications & Information 
         Technology, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 403-428,  (invited paper), 1994.

7.      Stilman, B., A Linguistic Geometry of the Chess Model, Advances in
         Computer  Chess 7, pp.  91-117, 1994.

8.      Stilman, B., Translations of Network Languages, An International Journal: 
         Computers &  Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 65-98, 
          1994,  Download Draft.

9.      Stilman, B., A Formal Language for Hierarchical Systems Control, 
          Languages of  Design, Vol. 1, No.4, pp. 333-356, 1993.

10.    Stilman, B., A Syntactic Hierarchy for Robotic Systems, Integrated 
          Computer-Aided Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 57-82, (invited paper), 
          1993.

11.    Stilman, B., Network Languages for Complex Systems, An International    
          Journal:  Computers &  Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 26, No. 8, pp. 
          51-80, 1993, Download Draft.

12.     Stilman, B., A Linguistic Approach to Geometric Reasoning, An 
          international  Journal: Computers & Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 
           26, No. 7, pp. 29-58, 1993, Download Draft.

Professor Stilman has given numerous contributed, invited, conference and tutorial presentations of this approach literally around the world. In February 1995, Professor Stilman organized the First Symposium on Linguistic Geometry and Semantic Control together with the Center of Optimization and Semantic Control (Washington University, St. Louis). This Symposium was held in Puerto Rico. Also, Professor Stilman is working on the monograph on Linguistic Geometry for Kluwer Academic Publishers.

At UCD Professor Stilman teaches Linguistic Geometry in his graduate course "Complex Intelligent Systems". Two students are currently working with Dr. Stilman on their Master Theses on practical applications of Linguistic Geometry to Robotics and Planning. Dr. Stilman teaches two courses in Artificial Intelligence at UCD, undergraduate "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence" and graduate "Knowledge Representation for Intelligent Systems". Both should be considered as introductions to research in Linguistic Geometry.