Spatial and Temporal Reasoning

Qualitative reasoning about space and time - a reasoning at the human level - promises to become a fundamental aspect of future systems that will accompany us in daily activity. The aim of __Spatial and Temporal Reasoning__ is to give a picture of current research in this area focusing on both representational and computational issues. The picture emphasizes some major lines of development in this multifaceted, constantly growing area. The material in the book also shows some common ground and a novel combination of spatial and temporal aspects of qualitative reasoning. Part I presents the overall scene. The chapter by Laure Vieu is on the state of the art in spatial representation and reasoning, and that by Alfonso Gerevini gives a similar survey on research in temporal reasoning. The specific contributions to these areas are then grouped in the two main parts. In Part II, Roberto Casati and Achille Varzi examine the ontological status of spatial entities; Anthony Cohn, Brandon Bennett, John Gooday, and Nicholas Gotts present a detailed theory of reasoning with qualitative relations about regions; Andrew Frank discusses the spatial needs of geographical information systems; and Annette Herskovits focuses on the linguistic expression of spatial relations. In Part III, James Allen and George Ferguson describe an interval temporal logic for the representation of actions and events; Drew McDermott presents an efficient way of predicting the outcome of plan execution; and Erik Sandewall introduces a semantics based on transitions for assessing theories of action and change. In Part IV, Antony Galton's chapter stands clearly between the two areas of space and time and outlines the main coordinates of an integrated approach.

qualitative Reasoning About Space And Time - A Reasoning At The Human Level - Promises To Become A Fundamental Aspect Of Future Systems That Will Accompany Us In Daily Activity.
The Aim Of Spatial And Temporal Reasoning Is To Give A Picture Of Current Research In This Area Focusing On Both Representational And Computational Issues. The Picture Emphasizes Some Major Lines Of Development In This Multifaceted, Constantly Growing Area. The Material In The Book Also Shows Some Common Ground And A Novel Combination Of Spatial And Temporal Aspects Of Qualitative Reasoning.
Part I Presents The Overall Scene. The Chapter By Laure Vieu Is On The State Of The Art In Spatial Representation And Reasoning, And That By Alfonso Gerevini Gives A Similar Survey On Research In Temporal Reasoning. The Specific Contributions To These Areas Are Then Grouped In The Two Main Parts. In Part Ii, Roberto Casati And Achille Varzi Examine The Ontological Status Of Spatial Entities; Anthony Cohn, Brandon Bennett, John Gooday, And Nicholas Gotts Present A Detailed Theory Of Reasoning With Qualitative Relations About Regions; Andrew Frank Discusses The Spatial Needs Of Geographical Information Systems; And Annette Herskovits Focuses On The Linguistic Expression Of Spatial Relations. In Part Iii, James Allen And George Ferguson Describe An Interval Temporal Logic For The Representation Of Actions And Events; Drew Mcdermott Presents An Efficient Way Of Predicting The Outcome Of Plan Execution; And Erik Sandewall Introduces A Semantics Based On Transitions For Assessing Theories Of Action And Change. In Part Iv, Antony Galton's Chapter Stands Clearly Between The Two Areas Of Space And Time And Outlines The Main Coordinates Of An Integrated Approach.

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focusing On Both Representational And Computational Issues, Contributors Present Current Research Which Grew Out Of Two Advanced Schools On Philosophy And Artificial Intelligence Held In Bolzano, Italy. The Ten Chapters Emphasize Qualitative As Opposed To Thoroughly Quantitative Aspects Of Spatial And Temporal Reasoning. Topics Include Spatial Representation And Reasoning; Reasoning About Time And Actions; Spatial Entities; Representing And Reasoning With Qualitative Spatial Relations About Regions; Spatial Ontology; Language, Spatial Cognition, And Vision; Action And Events In Interval Temporal Logic; Probabilistic Projection In Planning; Underlying Semantics For Action And Change With Ramification; And Space, Time And Movement. Annotation C. By Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Front Matter....Pages i-xix Front Matter....Pages 3-3 Spatial Representation and Reasoning in Artificial Intelligence....Pages 5-41 Reasoning about Time and Actions in Artificial Intelligence: Major Issues....Pages 43-70 Front Matter....Pages 71-71 Spatial Entities....Pages 73-96 Representing and Reasoning with Qualitative Spatial Relations About Regions....Pages 97-134 Spatial Ontology: A Geographical Information Point of View....Pages 135-153 Language, Spatial Cognition, and Vision....Pages 155-202 Front Matter....Pages 203-203 Actions and Events in Interval Temporal Logic....Pages 205-245 Probabilistic Projection in Planning....Pages 247-287 Underlying Semantics for Action and Change with Ramification....Pages 289-318 Front Matter....Pages 319-319 Space, Time, and Movement....Pages 321-352 Back Matter....Pages 353-394 This work examines current research in qualitative reasoning about space and time, focusing on representational and computational issues. It emphasizes major lines of development in this multifaceted area and shows some common ground of spatial and temporal aspects of qualitative reasoning.