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This chapter explores the cutting-edge field of cognitive informatics (CI) and its applications in cognitive computing. CI is a transdisciplinary study of cognitive and information sciences, which investigates the internal information processing mechanisms and processes of the natural intelligence – human brains and minds – and their engineering applications in computational intelligence. The 7th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics (ICCI 2008) has been organized at Stanford University during August 14-16, 2008. The ICCI΄08 program covers a wide spectrum of subjects that contribute to cognitive informatics and cognitive computing. This chapter highlights the latest advances in CI and cognitive computing presented in ICCI΄08. The theoretical framework and applications of CI and cognitive computing are described. A set of selected papers from ICCI΄08 is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive informatics studies the natural intelligence and the brain from a theoretical and a computational approach, which rigorously explains the mechanisms of the brain by a fundamental theory known as abstract intelligence, and formally models the brain by contemporary denotational mathematics. This paper, as an extended summary of the invited keynote presented in AMT-BI 2010, describes the interplay of cognitive informatics, abstract intelligence, denotational mathematics, brain informatics, and computational intelligence. Some of the theoretical foundations for brain informatics developed in cognitive informatics are elaborated. A key notion recognized in recent studies in cognitive informatics is that the root and profound objective in natural, abstract, and artificial intelligence in general, and in cognitive informatics and brain informatics in particular, is to seek suitable mathematical means for their special needs that were missing in the last six decades. A layered reference model of the brain and a set of cognitive processes of the mind are systematically developed towards the exploration of the theoretical framework of brain informatics. The current methodologies for brain studies are reviewed and their strengths and weaknesses are analyzed. A wide range of applications of cognitive informatics and denotational mathematics are recognized in brain informatics toward the implementation of highly intelligent systems such as world-wide wisdom (WWW+), cognitive knowledge search engines, autonomous learning machines, and cognitive robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memorization is a key cognitive process of the brain because almost all human intelligence is functioning based on it. This paper presents a neuroinformatics theory of memory and a cognitive process of memorization. Cognitive informatics foundations and functional models of memory and memorization are explored toward a rigorous explanation of memorization. The cognitive process of memorization is studied that reveals how and when memory is created in long-term memory. On the basis of the formal memory and memorization models, the cognitive process of memorization is rigorously described using Real-Time Process Algebra (RTPA). This work is one of the fundamental enquiries on the mechanisms of the brain and natural intelligence according to the Layered Reference Model of the Brain (LRMB) developed in cognitive informatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concept algebra is an abstract mathematical structure for the formal treatment of concepts and their algebraic relations, operations, and associative rules for composing complex concepts, which provides a denotational mathematic means for knowledge system representation and manipulation. This paper presents an implementation of concept algebra by a set of simulations in Java. A visualized knowledge representation tool for concept algebra is developed, which enables machines learn concepts and knowledge autonomously. A set of eight relational operations and nine compositional operations of concept algebra are implemented in the tool to rigorously manipulate knowledge by concept networks. The knowledge representation tool is capable of presenting concepts and knowledge systems in multiple ways in order to simulate and visualize the dynamic concept networks during machine learning based on concept algebra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge science and engineering are an emerging field that studies the nature of human knowledge, and its manipulations such as acquisition, representation, creation, composition, memorization, retrieval, and depository. This paper presents the nature of human knowledge and its mathematical models, internal representations, and formal manipulations. The taxonomy of knowledge and the hierarchical abstraction model of knowledge are investigated. Based on a set of mathematical models of knowledge and the Object-Attribute-Relation (OAR) model for internal knowledge representation, rigorous knowledge manipulations are formally described by concept algebra. A coherent framework of formalized knowledge systems is modeled based on the analyses of roles of formal and empirical knowledge. Then, the theory of knowledge acquisition and the cognitive model of knowledge spaces are systematically developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Games are a complex mathematical structure for modeling dynamic decision processes under competition where opponent players compete for the maximum gain or toward a success state in the same environment according to the same rules of the game. Games are conventionally dealt with payoff tables based on random strategies, which are found inadequate to describe the dynamic behaviors of games and to rigorously predict the outcomes of games. This paper presents an abstract game theory, which enables a formal treatment of games by a set of mathematical models for both the layouts and behaviors of games. A generic mathematical model of abstract games is introduced, based on which the properties of games in terms of decision strategies and serial matches are described. A wide range of generic zero-sum and nonzero-sum games are formally modeled and analyzed using the generic mathematical models of abstract games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The denotational and expressive needs in cognitive informatics, computational intelligence, software engineering, and knowledge engineering lead to the development of new forms of mathematics collectively known as denotational mathematics. Denotational mathematics is a category of mathematical structures that formalize rigorous expressions and long-chain inferences of system compositions and behaviors with abstract concepts, complex relations, and dynamic processes. Typical paradigms of denotational mathematics are such as concept algebra, system algebra, Real-Time Process Algebra (RTPA), Visual Semantic Algebra (VSA), fuzzy logic, and rough sets. A wide range of applications of denotational mathematics have been identified in many modern science and engineering disciplines that deal with complex and intricate mathematical entities and structures beyond numbers, Boolean variables, and traditional sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on the laws and mathematical constraints of software have resulted in fundamental discoveries in computing and software engineering toward exploring the nature of software. It was recognized that software is not constrained by any physical laws discovered in the natural world. However, software obeys the laws of mathematics, cognitive informatics, system science, and formal linguistics. This paper investigates into the mathematical laws of software and computing behaviors. A generic mathematical model of programs is created that reveals the nature of software as abstract processes and its uniqueness beyond other mathematical entities such as sets, relations, functions, and abstract concepts. A comprehensive set of mathematical laws for software and its behaviors is established based on the generic mathematical model of programs and the fundamental computing behaviors elicited in Real-Time Process Algebra (RTPA). A set of 95 algebraic laws of software behaviors is systematically derived, which encompasses the laws of meta-processes, process relations, and system compositions. The comprehensive set of mathematical laws of software lays a theoretical foundation for analyzing and modeling software behaviors and software system architectures, as well as for guiding rigorous practice in programming. They are also widely applicable for the rigorous modeling and manipulation of human cognitive processes and computational intelligent behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Denotational mathematics is a category of expressive mathematical structures that deals with high-level mathematical entities beyond numbers and sets, such as abstract objects, complex relations, behavioral information, concepts, knowledge, processes, intelligence, and systems. New forms of mathematics are sought, collectively known as denotational mathematics, in order to deal with complex mathematical entities emerged in cognitive informatics, computational intelligence, software engineering, and knowledge engineering. The domain and architecture of denotational mathematics are presented in this paper. Three paradigms of denotational mathematics, known as concept algebra, system algebra, and Real-Time Process Algebra (RTPA), are introduced. Applications of denotational mathematics in cognitive informatics and computational intelligence are elaborated. A set of case studies is presented on the modeling of iterative and recursive systems architectures and behaviors by RTPA, the modeling of autonomic machine learning by concept algebra, and the modeling of granular computing by system algebra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a European approach to the development of a new industrial architecture of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software components, and a practical technology for design and implementation of test-reusable COTS. This work, known as the European COMPONENT+ project, is supported by the European 5th Framework programme and by a number of leading industrial partners in component-based software engineering. Existing COTS architectural technologies were focused on code reuse. The following fundamental problems inherited in conventional COTS technologies have been identified: a) Low testability for end-users; b) Low maintainability for end-users; c) No support for run-time testing; and d) Separated software code and test cases. Being oriented to the problems and challenges as identified above, this paper presents new solutions and techniques for testable COTS architecture developed in the European Component+ project, such as: a) A new technology for implementing BIT-based COTS; b) A new approach to COTS test; c) An extension of OO technology from code reuse to test reuse in COTS development; and d) A new approach to enabling COTS test at run-time. BIT components can be embedded in any conventional COTS for enabling test reuse as well as code reuse. The BIT + COST technologies have been found a wide range of applications in component-based software engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive informatics (CI) is a cutting-edge and profound interdisciplinary research area that tackles the common root problems and foundations of modern informatics, computation, software engineering, AI, and life sciences. CI is a new frontier that studies internal information processing mechanisms and processes of the brain, and their applications in computing, software, and ICT industries. Conventional information theory (Shannon, 1948) treated information as a measure of the probability of messages received from a channel. It was focused on information transmission rather than information itself. Modern information theory perceives information as any aspect of the natural world that can be abstracted and digitally represented. With this orientation, information is regarded as entities of messages, rather than a probabilistic measurement of them as in the classical information theory. However, it is recognized that current information theories are still in a category of external informatics. Complementing to these, there is a whole range of extremely interesting new research areas known as CI, a term which was coined by the author in 2001. I think, therefore I am (Rene Descartes, 1596–1650).΄ CI draws the attention of research on the internal information processing mechanisms of the brain, which are perceived as the foundation of next generation IT and software technologies, such as neural computers, bio-computers, novel methodologies of software engineering, quantum information processing, and powerful ICT systems. This talk focuses on the natural information processing mechanisms and cognitive processes. The latest development on CI at the First IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics (ICCI΄02) will be reported. At heoretical framework of CI as an emerging and interdisciplinary research area will be presented. The objectives of this talk are to draw attention of researchers, practitioners and graduate students on the investigation of cognitive mechanisms and processes of human information processing, and to stimulate the collaborative international effort on CI research and engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]