Eiko Yamamoto

Constructive simulation of creative concept generation process in design: a research method for difficult-to-observe design-thinking processes

In this study, we conduct a computer simulation in order to capture characteristics or patterns in the concept generation process, which may lead to the generation of a creative design idea. This approach employs a research framework called ‘constructive simulation’, which may be effective for investigating a process that is difficult to observe both internally and externally. The simulation was conducted in four phases. In Phase 1, the virtual concept generation process was constructed on a semantic network. In Phase 2, the relevance of the process was confirmed using network theory. In Phase 3, the simulation was validated using ‘synthetic verification’ which confirms the relevance of the process with another real-life phenomenon, as well as the feasibility of creating more creative design ideas. In Phase 4, the characteristics or patterns in the actual concept generation process were inferred from those of the virtual concept generation process. The results suggest that thinking patterns in which explicit and ‘inexplicit’ concepts are continuously intertwined lead to creative design ideas.

Virtual Impression Networks for Capturing Deep Impressions

In this study, we focus on deep impressions, which are defined as the impressions that are related to deep feelings towards a product and lie under surface impressions. In order to capture the nature of deep impressions, we developed a method for constructing “virtual impression networks,” which involve the notions of “structure” and “inexplicit impressions”, using a semantic network. This paper, in particular, aims at understanding the manner in which people form impressions of preference. Our results indicated that it is possible to explain the difference between feelings of “like” and “dislike” using several indicators in the network theory of virtual impression networks. The process of forming the impressions of “like” is shown to differ from that of “dislike” at a deep impression level.

Dynamic Programming Matching for Large Scale Information Retrieval

Though dynamic programming matching can carry out approximate string matching when there may be deletions or insertions in a document, its effectiveness and efficiency are usually too poor to use it for large-scale information retrieval. In this paper, we propose a method of dynamic programming matching for information retrieval. This method is as effective as a conventional information retrieval system, even though it is capable of approximate matching. It is also as efficient as a conventional system.

A Method for Function Dividing in Conceptual Design by Focusing on Linguistic Hierarchal Relations

In this study, we attempted to develop a method that applies the notion and technology of natural language processing for operating a function dividing process in conceptual design. We formulated a function dividing process from a linguistic viewpoint and constructed linguistic hierarchal structures in this process. This method is significant in identifying hierarchal relationships between the upper- and lower-level functions from the viewpoint of linguistic hierarchal relations. An experiment was carried out to confirm whether the proposed methods were feasible and whether the extracted relations were meaningful for supporting the function dividing process.

A METHOD TO GENERATE AND EVALUATE A CREATIVE DESIGN IDEA BY FOCUSING ON ASSOCIATIVE PROCESS

In order to support creative design, we propose an approach composed of two methods for generating creative design ideas. The first method involves generating a candidate for a highly creative design idea by focusing on the notion of “polysemy.” The second involves evaluating the generated candidate by using a virtual network. In this study, we focus on concept generation, specifically, the process of synthesizing two concepts. Furthermore, we use design idea features for representations of the design idea. We attempt to create a set of design idea features that allows the realization of highly creative ideas. For verifying the validity of the first method, we confirmed that the estimated scores of originality of all the generated candidates extrapolated the score of the base design idea.

THESAURUS FOR NATURAL-LANGUAGE-BASED CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

Conceptual design is a process wherein new functions are created through engineering design. In conceptual design, we use natural language since it plays an important role in the expression and operation of a function. Moreover, natural language is used in our day-to-day thinking processes and is expected to keep a fine interface with the designer. However, it is at a disadvantage with regard to the expression of a function, since physical phenomena, which are the essence of a function, are better expressed in the form of mathematical equations than natural languages. In this study, we attempt to develop a method for using natural language for operating a function by harnessing its advantages and overcoming its disadvantage. We focus on the vital process in conceptual design, that is, the function dividing process wherein the required function is decomposed into sub functions that satisfy the required function. We construct a thesaurus by semiautomatic extraction of the hierarchical structures of words from a document by using natural language processing. We show that the constructed thesaurus can be useful in supporting the function dividing process.Copyright

Efficient Knowledge Transfer by Hearing a Conversation While Doing Something

We introduce an approach for developing a conversation synthesizer in order to support knowledge acquisition. The system can transfer knowledge to humans even while the person is doing something or is not concentrating on listening to the voice. Our approach does not create a summary of the key points of what is being read out, but focuses on the knowledge transfer method for supporting knowledge acquisition. Specifically, to provide knowledge efficiently by computer, that is, to transfer knowledge from computers to human, we consider what kinds of conversation are naturally retained in the brain; as such conversations may enable people to obtain knowledge more easily. We aim to construct an intelligent system which can create such conversations by applying natural language processing technologies.

Knowledge discovery by logical resolution with usefulness measure

In this paper, we propose a new method for KDD using SOL resolution. SOL resolution is a procedure which can solve a clause finding problem completely. We regard the clause as knowledge and apply SOL resolution to KDD. We verify that certain knowledge is discovered from the data.