Idea: a case-based model of design assistance
Atish P. Sinha · 1993
This dissertation presents a model that integrates case-based reasoning with constraint posting to provide an effective and efficient medium for design assistance. Constraint posting enables the model to initially bound the design space and to maintain the consistency of design solutions. Case-based reasoning allows the model to generate new designs by retrieving, adapting, and composing from similar cases in memory. Key elements of the model have been implemented in a computer system called IDEA, which operates in the domain of rolling mill equipment design. The model was developed based on an analysis of knowledge acquired from experts in rolling mill design. By organizing computer memory as a collection of cases and case snippets, and by adapting and synthesizing those cases and snippets--using techniques similar to those employed by design experts--IDEA provides valuable design assistance. It works symbiotically with the user, apportioning responsibilities in mutually beneficial ways. The research makes important contributions to case-based design. IDEA employs interesting techniques for case adaptation and composition. While synthesizing a new solution from two or more snippets, the model performs dynamic constraint revision--which results in an evolving solution space--and dynamic adaptation. The research also has implications for case representation, case indexing and retrieval, and case selection, and provides guidelines for the future implementation of case-based design systems.