Patent ID: 7206772

Claim:
A method of controlling a plant having a controller which continuously responds to feedback control signals, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a set of data signals from plant sensors indicative of a plurality of observable plant variables; (b) creating a combination of data signals from said set of data signals during operation of the plant using said controller; (c) constructing a partition from said subset of data signals using said controller and repeatedly refining the partition based on said data signals; (d) determining state variables of the plant using said controller during operation of the plant and the controller; (e) dividing said state variables into a plurality of finite states based upon feedback control signals and said data signals received by said controller; (f) estimating losses associated with transitions of the plant from one state to plurality of possible other states using said controller; (g) continuously updating probabilities associated with said losses based on said state variables, said feedback control signals and said data signals using said controller; (h) identifying optimal decisions using said controller to determine a first set of input control signals and applying said first set of input control signals to said plant and to said controller as updated feedback control signals, wherein said determination of the first set of input control signals is based upon said losses and probabilities; (i) continuously receiving an updated set of data signals from said plant sensors; (j) continuously updating said estimated losses using said controller and said updated set of data signals; (k) continuously updating said probabilities associated with said losses using said updated set of data signals; and (l) using a Bayes preference with said controller to determine subsequent sets of input control signals and applying said set subsequent sets of input control signals to said plant and to said controller, wherein said new determination is based upon said updated losses and probabilities.