Function in Device Representation |
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Authors: | B Chandrasekaran John R Josephson |
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Affiliation: | (1) Laboratory for AI Research, Department of Computer & Information Science, The Ohio State University, Colubus, OH, USA, US |
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Abstract: | We explore the meanings of the terms ‘structure’, ‘behaviour’, and, especially, ‘function’ in engineering practice. Computers
provide great assistance in calculation tasks in engineering practice, but they also have great potential for helping with
reasoning tasks. However, realising this vision requires precision in representing engineering knowledge, in which the terms mentioned
above play a central role. We start with a simple ontology for representing objects and causal interactions between objects.
Using this ontology, we investigate a range of meanings for the terms of interest. Specifically, we distinguish between function as effect on the environment, and a device-centred view of device function. In the former view, function is seen as an intended or desired
role that an artifact plays in its environment. We identify an important concept called mode of deployment that is often left implicit, but whose explicit representation is necessary for correct and complete reasoning. We discuss
the task of design and design verification in this framework. We end with a discussion that relates needs in the world to functions of artifacts created to satisfy the needs. |
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Keywords: | :Causal reasoning Compositional modeling Device ontology Device simulation Functional reasoning Functional representation |
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