Design and Implementation of Interactive Electronic Technical Manual Based on XML Object Database

Abstract

We combine XML and object database, technology to develop an interactive electronic technical manual. A technical manual file in XML is fragmented into objects and then stored in an object database having the schema corresponding to the technical manual DTD. Then we develop browsing indexing and searching functions commonly found in electronic manuals. Furthermore, we build an expert system to assist user make effective use of the content of the manual. The knowledge base of the expert system is constructed by converting the procedural knowledge in the technical manual into production rules. By suing the interface, user can then access the technical manual in an interactive way. We have built a prototype system for an engine troubleshooting manual. By means of the expert system interface, user can focus on the questions of specific engine faults troubleshooting and easily find the solutions.