KPN: a Petri net model for general knowledge representation and reasoning

Abstract

In this paper, KPN (Knowledge Petri Net), a unified Petri net model for atemporal and temporal knowledge representation and reasoning, is presented. In the model, logical, causal, uncertain/imprecise, and temporal knowledge are represented in a coherent way. Based on T-invariant computation (a classical linear algebra analysis technique of Petri nets), an efficient and simple algorithm for reasoning on KPN nets is also proposed. The model is the first attempt to handle both atemporal and temporal knowledge within a Petri net framework.