| 摘要 |
A data processing apparatus comprises a first memory (212) storing a set or rules, each in the form of at least one specific behaviour defining a condition and at least one further behaviour defining an associated response with the condition portion of each rule having a characteristic time delay, and a processor (220) operating to respond to any of the said conditions being satisfied by generating one or more further behaviours defining the associated response. A second memory (206) coupled via the processor (220) to a clock (226) maintains a record of behaviour state changes ("events") and the time at which they occurred. On selection of an event of interest, a first comparator (240) identifies the or those rules having the selected event behaviour as at least a part of their response, and a second comparator (242) compares the condition portion of the or each rule identified by the first comparator with the maintained record of events (206) at a point preceding the selected event by the characteristic delay of the rule. A rule is identified as the cause of the selected event where an event consistent with the condition portion of that rule occurs at that preceding point.
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