Technical reports

Integrating knowledge of purpose and knowledge of structure for design evaluation

J.A. Bradshaw, R.M. Young

February 1991, 20 pages

DOI: 10.48456/tr-214

Abstract

This paper describes a knowledge representation strategy, for mechanical devices, which combines Knowledge of Structure and Knowledge of Purpose. Knowledge of Purpose specifies how devices are expected to behave and Knowledge of Structure details how devices are connected. Knowing ‘correct’ behaviour (Knowledge of Purpose) it is possible to usefully comment on any generated behaviour, predicted or actual. Generation of behaviour is a bottom up process (from components to systems) whereas behaviour evaluation is top down (from systems to components). Common purpose is used to group devices into systems.

The core evaluation activity is the generation of an envisionment graph (similar to that described by deKleer and Brown [deK84]). The complete graph represents the full set of predicted behaviour states for the represented device. These behaviour states are compared with the Knowledge of Purpose behaviour descriptions; if conflicts are found then these are described and the structure and purpose descriptions of the device are scanned to establish the source of the conflict. The ideas discussed in this paper are implemented in the Doris system which is described.

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BibTeX record

@TechReport{UCAM-CL-TR-214,
  author =	 {Bradshaw, J.A. and Young, R.M.},
  title = 	 {{Integrating knowledge of purpose and knowledge of
         	   structure for design evaluation}},
  year = 	 1991,
  month = 	 feb,
  url = 	 {https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/techreports/UCAM-CL-TR-214.pdf},
  institution =  {University of Cambridge, Computer Laboratory},
  doi = 	 {10.48456/tr-214},
  number = 	 {UCAM-CL-TR-214}
}