| Abstract
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In this article, I explore the notion of f … In this article, I explore the notion of functionality of devices. Throughthe definition of an ontology of functions, I try to bring together thedifferent approaches that have been developed along the axis of functionalreasoning into a consistent framework. This study has taken advantage of theongoing redesign project aimed at building a system that provides automaticassistance to a user who is in charge of redesigning a particular real-worldequipment. My own contribution in the field of functional reasoning includesan ontology of functions and the definition of some functional representationprimitives. I then describe application areas where functional reasoning ispromising. Finally, some implications of the functional representation to thedesign of problem-solving architectures are outlined. roblem-solving architectures are outlined.
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