The Declarative Representation and Procedural Simulation of Causality in Physical Mechanisms.
Abstract
This report is distinct in content from, but similar in topic to AD-A034 194. A theory of cause-effect representation is used to describe man-made mechanisms and natural laws. The representation, consisting of 10 link types that interconnect events into large declarative patterns, is illustrated on a relatively sophisticated device, the home gas forced air furnace. Next, a procedure and framework for translating the declarative description of a mechanism into a population of associatively triggerable computation units is described. The associative, or procedural, form can then be used to perform a discrete cause-effect simulation of the device. The declarative to procedural translation, including a simulation trace, is shown for the furnace. Topics of mechanism abstraction and mechanism invention are discussed and the entire 'Mechanisms Laboratory' is placed in the larger perspective of the authors' research into human problem solving.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA037953
Entities
People
- Chuck Rieger
- Milt Grinberg
Organizations
- University of Maryland