MPIL version 1.1 - Win32 Release for 95 & NT
Copyright (C) 1995-1997 Universal Problem Solvers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

***About System***

MPIL (Muli-Pass Instance-Based Learning) Version 1.1 Demo is freely available 
to anyone and may be distributed to others, as long as it is ONLY 
utilized for personal or educational purposes.  This Demo version restricts 
several parameter options (i.e., Maximum number of training patterns, inputs, 
outputs, etc.).  A complete, unrestricted system may be purchased if so desired.  
For more information refer to the file products.txt.  

***Purpose***

MPIL is an instance-based learning system (instances are simply viewed as 
points in n-dimensional real-space with an associated neighborhood), which 
utilizes two models for creating neighborhoods.  The first model (i.e., MPIL-1) 
places a single neighborhood sphere (based on Euclidean distance measure) 
around an instance, and is in nature similar to the nearest neighbor 
classifier, except that it removes redundant instances.  The second model 
(i.e., MPIL-2) incorporates N radii (one for each input of an instance).  This 
model also supports knowledge acquisition in the form of rule extraction.  It is
also possible to import rules for further refinement.
In a sense, both approaches are similar to neural networks in that they exploit 
a very similar parallelism. MPIL represents a good alternative in cases were 
large amounts of data have to be learned and provides good  facilities for storage 
reduction.
   
***Highlights***

	(1) Allows user to create an abstract instance representation of a training
	    set. 
	    
	(2) Provides features for Saving and Loading the abstract instance representation.
	
	(3) Supports two modes for instance-based learning: MPIL-1 and MPIL-2.

	(4) Supports three different distance measures: Hamming, Euclidian and Square.
	
	(5) Supplies the user with the capability to test and classify new patterns.
	
	(6) Allows batch training and testing of a data set (i.e., n-fold crossvalidation) for
	    a user defined start partition size, end size, delta stepsize and parameter n.

              (7) Allows for rule extraction and import (knowledge refinement).

	(8) User can load and save program sessions.

	(9) Contains several complete examples and an on-line Windows Help Menu.
         

*** Installation ***

First create directory MPIL in the root directory of the C drive. Then Place the zip file
MPIL11.ZIP into C:\MPIL\.  Unzip the file and PRESERVE its subdirectory structure!!!!!
(use "pkunzip -d mpil102.zip" on DOS command line).

*** Requirements ***

The version requires Windows 95 or NT.  

***IMPORTANT: Getting Started***

As a simple example you may want to try out the following learning problem:
Once you have started MPIL, select Create from the Instance option of the main menu.  You will be
prompted to enter a training file (i.e., extension *.net).  Using the directory browser  switch to 
directory DOMAINS within the working directory C:\MPIL.  Now select the file OR4.NET
and open it.  After a little time has passed, you will be informed that the training patterns of the
4 input OR function have been loaded.  Proceed by selecting Train from the Instance option of
the main menu.  Training and creation of abstracted instances will be initiated.  Once this process is
completed, a message box will appear with some pertinent information about the training cycle.
For example, you will be informed about how long training lasted and what the savings ratio of
training patterns is.  Since the default learning mode is MPIL-1, you may consider for the next
experiment, to switch to learning mode MPIL-2.  To achieve this, simply select Learning Mode from
the Parameters menu option.  Push the MPIL-2 radio button and then hit the OK button.  Next, repeat the
steps of creating and training the OR4.NET data set.  Once you have completed this, you can recall
previously obtained results by selecting the appropriate file option from the Instance menu option
(located below the double-bar).  MPIL maintains up to 12 such result options. 

*** Documentation ***

For documentation, consult the on-line help option.

*** List of Files ***

The MPIL v1.1 package consists of the following files:

	README.TXT		introductory information (this file)
              MPIL.STP                        default menu parameter settings
	MPIL11.EXE		required executable
	MPIL.HLP		windows help file  
              MANUAL.RTF              manual in rich text format
              MANUAL.TXT              manual in DOS text format

	DOMAINS Sub-directory:

	DC-MOTOR.NET	Simple DC-motor (continuous outputs)
	IRIS.NET		Fisher Iris Plant data
	OR4.NET		4 input or-function
	
	EXAMPLES Sub-Directory

	Subdirectory EX1:

		EX1.STP		setup file
		OR4.TES		4-input OR test examples
		OR4-1.NET		half training instances of OR function
		OR4-2.NET		other half of training instances of OR function

	Subdirectory EX2:

		DC-MOTOR.CLS	dc-motor classification instances
		DC-MOTOR.NET	dc-motor training instances
		DC-MOTOR.TES	dc-motor test instances
		EX2.STP		setup file

	Subdirectory EX3:

		EX3.STP		setup file
		IRIS.NET		iris training instances
		IRIS.TES		iris test instances
		IRIS2.NET		part of iris training instances


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