Context guided retrieval

This paper presents a hierarchical case representation that uses a context guided retrieval method The performance of this method is compared to that of a simple flat file representation using standard nearest neighbour retrieval. The data presented in this paper is more extensive than that presented in an earlier paper by the same authors. The estimation of the construction costs of light industrial warehouse buildings is used as the test domain. Each case in the system comprises approximately 400 features. These are structured into a hierarchical case representation that holds more general contextual features at its top and specific building elements at its leaves. A modified nearest neighbour retrieval algorithm is used that is guided by contextual similarity. Problems are decomposed into sub-problems and solutions recomposed into a final solution. The comparative results show that the context guided retrieval method using the hierarchical case representation is significantly more accurate than the simpler flat file representation and standard nearest neighbour retrieval

Towards a computational case-based model for creative planning

This paper describes a computational case-based model for the creative planning process. Our approach is inspired in Wallas’ model for the creative process in that we consider that creativity involves a sequence of four stages: preparation, incubation, illumination and verification. Preparation includes problem acquisition and assimilation of background knowledge, which is represented by cases, i.e., documented past experiences. With the aim of achieving a flexible knowledge representation, as a means to potentiate specific creative abilities like Fluency, Synthesis and Analysis, we structure each case as a network of hierarchically and temporally related case pieces. These case pieces can be considered individually, providing better recombinations of them. These recombinations, rather than made by chance, are guided by those hierarchical and temporal case piece relations (or explanations). We explain the role of opportunistic knowledge acquisition at the incubation stage. We sustain that illumination may comprise recursive calls of the sequence of the first three stages. This computational model is implemented in the system INSPIRER (ImagiNation1 taking as Source Past and Imperfectly RElated Reasonings). An application in musical composition domain is presented. We also show how a musical composition task may be cognitively modelled and treated as a planning task. We also present a short example illustrating how INSPIRER generates music

Towards a Computational Case-Based Model for Creative Planning

This paper describes a computational case-based model for the creative planning process. Our approach is inspired in Wallas’ model for the creative process in that we consider that creativity involves a sequence of four stages: preparation, incubation, illumination and verification. Preparation includes problem acquisition and assimilation of background knowledge, which is represented by cases, i.e., documented past experiences. With the aim of achieving a flexible knowledge representation, as a means to potentiate specific creative abilities like Fluency, Synthesis and Analysis, we structure each case as a network of hierarchically and temporally related case pieces. These case pieces can be considered individually, providing better recombinations of them. These recombinations, rather than made by chance, are guided by those hierarchical and temporal case piece relations (or explanations). We explain the role of opportunistic knowledge acquisition at the incubation stage. We sustain that illumination may comprise recursive calls of the sequence of the first three stages. This computational model is implemented in the system INSPIRER (ImagiNation1 taking as Source Past and Imperfectly RElated Reasonings). An application in musical composition domain is presented. We also show how a musical composition task may be cognitively modelled and treated as a planning task. We also present a short example illustrating how INSPIRER generates music