CORVID Restaurant Selection Expert System as a "Banner with a Brain"

This version shows how the same decision-making logic and spreadsheet data, that is used in the main Restaurant Selection system, can be used as a fully-functioning interactive expert system, and still be in a banner format. CORVID knowledge automation systems can advise among a group of possible competing alternatives, even if the user's requests may not exactly match any of the possible options. In this case, the system advises much in the same way as a hotel concierge on where to go to dinner based on occasion, atmosphere, and food preferences.

Instead of the typical ad banner that is just a teaser and a link, this is a banner that actually interacts with the individual. Instead of leading them off the page, it advises and qualifies their interest. The results can also provide an option to go to a specific site that meets their requirements - for example, a specific restaurant's Web site or menu page.

These Banners with Brains can be easily incorporated into Web sites without changing their "look and feel". They give unique, individualized, interactive advice that provides a competitive edge, and helps promote repeat visits. In this example, it acts like an online "Concierge", providing the same type of expert recommendations one might find in a fine hotel - except this expert's always at their desk and always provides an answer!

If you have not already done so, you should run the system in full size format. Then run this system to see how with simple formating changes, it can be used as a banner.

Run this CORVID "banner" to select the best restaurant for dinner in Albuquerque.

How It Works:

This example system selects from a group of Albuquerque restaurants. There are restaurants with widely differing food types, atmosphere and prices. The system asks the user questions about the occasion and what type of food is desired. Data is applied to a spreadsheet of information on the various restaurants. The system's analysis creates a probabalistic ranking of the restaurants related to the customer's needs. The system automatically "weights" various factors based on the occasion. The top 5 restaurants that best meet the user requests are displayed. Comments on the suitability of the restaurant are also displayed with the results.

All of the decision-making logic is kept separate from the restaurant data in a spreadsheet. Generic restaurant selection logic is converted to rules using CORVID's development environment. These rules are applied to data on the specific restaurants stored in a spreadsheet. Including a new restaurant is as simple as adding it to the spreadsheet. If a restaurant changes its price, menu, or decor, it is also edited in the spreadsheet.

CORVID provides many ways to format and present questions and results. This version uses options that allow the system to be run in a banner size window.

(This system does not imply any use or endorsement of Exsys CORVID by the restaurants, or any endorsement of the restaurants by EXSYS Inc....though Ribs has really yummy key lime pie.)