I propose a task structure for design by analyzing a general class of methods that I call propose-critique-modify methods. The task structure is constructed by identifying a range of methods for each task. This recursive style of analysis provides a framework in which we can understand a number of particular proposals for design problem solving as specific combinations of tasks, methods, and subtasks. The analysis shows that there is no one ideal method for design, and good design problem solving is a result of recursively selecting methods based on a number of criteria, including knowledge availability.

This article begins with an elaboration of models of design as a process. It then introduces and describes a knowledge representation schema for design called design prototypes. This schema supports the initiation and continuation of the act of designing. Design prototypes are shown to provide a suitable framework to distinguish routine, innovative, and creative design.

I concentrate on this class of design 1989) that lays out the relation problems in this article. An example of an implicit function mapping from behavior to structure), typically in many engineering devices is safety: For conducted by means of a search or exploration example, a subsystem's role might only be in the space of possible subassemblies explained as something that prevents the of components. This accent on assembly is in leakage of a potentially hazardous substance, fact the origin of the frequent suggestion that and this function might never be explicitly design is a synthetic task. Only a vanishingly design specifications will usually mention a small number of objects in this space constitute number of constraints. The distinction even satisficing, not to mention optimal, between functions and constraints is hard to solutions. What is needed to make design formally pin down; functions are constraints practical are strategies that radically shrink on the behavior or properties of the device. However, it is useful to distinguish functions Set against the view of design as a deliberative from other constraints because functions are problem-solving process is the view of the primary reason that the device is desired. Artistic creations and weigh more than..."), the process of making scientific theories are often said by their creators the artifact from its description (manufacturability to have occurred to them in this Even when a plausible solution itself (for example, "I want a design within a occurs in this way, the proposal still needs to week"), and so on.

On January 13-14, 1990, a workshop organized by EDRC was held to discuss the topic of creating a scientific community at the interface between engineering design and AI, in order to identify problems and methods in the area that would facilitate the transfer and reuse of results. This report summarizes the workshop and follow-up sessions and identifies major trends in the field.

This article proposes connectionism as an alternative to classical cognitivism in understanding design. It also considers the difficulties encountered within a particular view of the role of explanations and typologies. Connectionism provides an alternative model that does not depend on the articulation of explanations and typologies.

Contrary to many prevailing approaches to knowledge acquisition, Laps, our expert-interviewing software, begins by soliciting cases from the expert, but it does not end there. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it interweaves knowledge gathering, organizing, and testing. Laps begins with a case in the form of a sample solution path elicited from the domain expert. This sample solution path is refined by a process called dechunking, which facilitates finding a model of the expert's reasoning process. The model guides the determination of the structure of alternatives tables at an effective level of abstraction. Once these tables have been set up, the expert is able to produce row after row on his own until a complete rule base is built. A rule generator currently produces rules in Clips or M.1 syntax.

The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence held its 1990 Spring Symposium Series on March 27-29 at Stanford University, Stanford, California. This article contains a short summary of seven of the nine symposia that were conducted: AI and Molecular Biology, AI in Medicine, Automated Abduction, Case Based Reasoning, and Knowledge-Based Environments for Teaching and Learning.

Term Subsumption Languages in Knowledge Representation

It reviews existing approaches such as inference structures, the distinction between deep and surface knowledge, problem-solving methods, and generic tasks. A new synthesis is put forward in the form of a componential framework that stresses modularity and an analysis of the pragmatic constraints on the task. The analysis of a rule from an existing expert system (the Dipmeter Advisor) is used to illustrate the framework.

It (McDermott 1988), and the idea of generic also helps to explicitly focus on how to go tasks and task-specific architectures (Chandrasekaran from the knowledge level to the symbol or 1983). These various proposals are program level. I call this in-between level the obviously related to each other, which makes knowledge-use level. At the knowledge-use it desirable to construct a synthesis that combines level, we focus on issues such as how the their strengths. Such a synthesis is presented overall task will be decomposed into manageable here in the form of a componential subtasks, what ordering will be imposed framework. The framework stresses modularity on the tasks, what kind of access to knowledge and consideration of the pragmatic constraints will be needed (and, consequently, what of the domain.