Function in Device Representation

13 years 4 months ago

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We explore the meanings of the terms as "structure," "behavior," and, especially, "function" in engineering practice. Computers provide great help in calculation tasks in engineering practice, but they also have great potential for helping with reasoning tasks. But realizing this vision requires precision in representing engineering knowledge, in which 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-centered view of device function. In the former view, function is viewed 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 com...

B. Chandrasekaran, John R. Josephson

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