Knowledge Structuring and Constraint Satisfaction: The Mapsee Approach

Schema-based representations for visual knowledge are integrated with constraint satisfaction techniques. This integration is discussed in a progression of three sketch map interpretation programs: Mapsee-1, Mapsee-2, and Mapsee-3. The programs are evaluated by the criteria of descriptive and procedural adequacy. The evaluation indicates that a schema-based representation used in combination with a hierarchical arc consistency algorithm constitutes a modular, efficient, and effective approach to the structured representation of visual knowledge. The schemata used in this representation are embedded in composition and specialization hierarchies. Specialization hierarchies are further expanded into discrimination graphs.