Extending the constraint propagation of intervals

Abstract
We show that the usual notion of constraint propagation is but one of a number of similar inferences useful in quantitative reasoning about physical objects. These inferences are expressed formally as rules for the propagation of ‘labeled intervals’ through equations. We prove the rules' correctness and illustrate their utility for reasoning about objects (such as motors or transmissions) which assume a continuum of different states. The inferences are the basis of a ‘mechanical design compiler’, which has correctly produced detailed designs from ‘high level’ descriptions for a variety of power transmission and temperature sensing systems.

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