The discourse model for collaborative design: A distributed and asynchronous approach

A model is developed for use in software environments that provide automation support for collaborative engineering design. This model, called the Discourse Model, includes a structure specification and a process specification. Components of the structure include specifications for a blackboard-based workspace that incorporates frames, constraints, semantic networks, libraries of sharable design objects, software agent modules, an electronic messaging system, and a Virtual Workspace Language based in part on Knowledge Query Manipulation Language (KQML). Components of the process include procedures for identifying agent interest sets, applying state transformations to the design model, switching design contexts, identifying conflicts between designers, exchanging rationale, and tracking resolved conflicts. The model is implementation-independent and applicable to many research and commercial design environments currently available. The Discourse Model is implemented in the Designer Software blackboard environment. An example scenario is provided in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction domain that illustrates collaboration during the conceptual design of a fire station.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Science and Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Case, Michael Patrick

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lu, Stephen C-Y

• Engineering, Mechanical
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1994 Case, Michael Patrick

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9512317
(UMI)AAI9512317

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/22357