Skip to main content

An Ontology-Based Functional Modeling Approach for Multi-agent Distributed Design on the Semantic Web

  • Conference paper
Computer Supported Cooperative Work in Design II (CSCWD 2005)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 3865))

Abstract

This paper describes a preliminary attempt at using Semantic Web paradigm, especially the Web Ontology Language (OWL), for functional design knowledge representation during functional modeling in a multi-agent distributed design environment. An ontology-based functional modeling framework is proposed as a prelude to a meaningful agent communication for collaborative functional modeling. Formal knowledge representation in OWL format extends traditional functional modeling with capabilities of knowledge sharing and distributed problem solving, and is used as a content language within the FIPA ACL (Agent Communication Language) messages in a proposed multi-agent architecture. The ontological enhancement to functional modeling facilitates the implementation of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) in functional design for Semantic Web applications.

This work was supported by Zhejiang Natural Science Fund of China (ZJNSF) (Y105003).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Tor, S.B., Britton, G.A., Chandrashekar, M., Ng, K.W.: Functional Design. In: Usher, J., Roy, U., Parsaei, H. (eds.) Integrated Product and Process Development: Methods, Tools and Technologies, pp. 29–58. John Wiley & Sons, New York (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Labrou, Y., Finin, T., Peng, Y.: Agent Communication Languages: The Current Landscape. IEEE Intelligent Systems and Their Applications 14, 45–52 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents: FIPA Specifications (2002), http://www.fipa.org/specifications/

  4. Berners-Lee, T., Hendler, J., Lassila, O.: The Semantic Web. Scientific American 284, 34–43 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. McGuinness, D.L., Harmelen, F.V.: OWL Web Ontology Language Overview (March 20, 2004), http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-owl-features-20040210/

  6. Bellifemine, F., Poggi, A., Rimassa, G.: Developing Multi Agent Systems with a FIPACompliant Agent Framework. Software Practice & Experience 31, 103–128 (2001)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. Umeda, Y., Ishii, M., Yoshioka, M., et al.: Supporting Conceptual Design Based on the Function-Behavior-State Modeler. Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing: Aiedam 10, 275–288 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Goel, A.: Model Revision: A Theory of Incremental Model Learning. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Machine Learning, pp. 605–609 (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Qian, L., Gero, J.S.: Function-Behavior-Structure Paths and Their Role in Analogy-Based Design. Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 10, 289–312 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Prabhakar, S., Goel, A.: Functional Modeling for Enabling Adaptive Design of Devices for New Environments. Artificial Intelligence in Engineering 12, 417–444 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Deng, Y.-M., Tor, S.B., Britton, G.A.: Abstracting and Exploring Functional Design Information for Conceptual Product Design. Engineering with Computers 16, 36–52 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang, W.Y., Tor, S.B., Britton, G.A.: A Graph and Matrix Representation Scheme for Functional Design of Mechanical Products. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 25, 221–232 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Szykman, S., Senfaute, J., Sriram, R.D.: The Use of XML for Describing Functions and Taxonomies in Computer-Based Design. In: Proceedings of the ASME Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC99/CIE-9025, Las Vegas, NV (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bohm, M.R., Stone, R.B., Szykman, S.: Enhancing Virtual Product Representations for Advanced Design Repository Systems. In: Proceedings of the ASME Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC2003/CIE-48239, Chicago, IL (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Saaksvuori, A., Immonen, A.: Product Lifecycle Management. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kitamura, Y., Mizoguchi, R.: Ontology-Based Description of Functional Design Knowledge and Its Use in a Functional Way Server. Expert Systems with Applications 24, 153–166 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Mizoguchi, R., Kitamura, Y.: Foundation of Knowledge Systematization: Role of Ontological Engineering. In: Roy, R. (ed.) Industrial Knowledge Management – A Micro Level Approach, pp. 17–36. Springer, London (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  18. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) (2004), http://www.w3.org

  19. Felfernig, A., Friedrich, G., Jannach, D., et al.: Configuration Knowledge Representations for Semantic Web Applications. Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing: Aiedam 17, 31–50 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Gruber, T.R.: A Translation Approach to Portable Ontology Specification. Knowledge Acquisition 5, 190–220 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Fikes, R., Hayes, P., Horrocks, I.: OWL-QL – A Language for Deductive Query Answering on the Semantic Web. In: Knowledge Systems Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Horrocks, I., Sattler, U., Tobies, S.: Practical Reasoning for Expressive Description Logics. In: Ganzinger, H., McAllester, D., Voronkov, A. (eds.) LPAR 1999. LNCS, vol. 1705, pp. 161–180. Springer, Heidelberg (1999)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. Haarslev, V., Moller, R.: Racer: A Core Inference Engine for the Semantic Web. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Evaluation of Ontology-Based Tools, pp. 27–36 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Gennari, J.H., Musen, M.A., Fergerson, R.W., et al.: The Evolution of Protégé-2000: An Environment for Knowledge-Based Systems Development. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies 58, 89–123 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Knublauch, H., Musen, M.A., Rector, A.L.: Editing Description Logics Ontologies with the Protégé OWL Plugin. In: International Workshop on Description Logics, Whistler, BC, Canada (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Rriedman-Hill, E.J.: Jess, the Expert System Shell for the Java Platform (2002), http://herzberg.ca.sandia.gov/jess

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Zhang, W., Lin, L., Qiu, J., Tong, R., Dong, J. (2006). An Ontology-Based Functional Modeling Approach for Multi-agent Distributed Design on the Semantic Web. In: Shen, Wm., Chao, KM., Lin, Z., Barthès, JP.A., James, A. (eds) Computer Supported Cooperative Work in Design II. CSCWD 2005. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3865. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11686699_34

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11686699_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-32969-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-32970-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics