Aspects of cooperating agents

An overview on aspects about cooperating agents is presented. As multiagent systems are various, we start with a classification of multiagent systems which is particularly influenced by an article from Decker, Durfee, and Lesser [Decker& 89]. In the following, the aspects of communication, planning, and negotiation are examined. On the occasion of communication, the discussion is split into: no communication - simple protocols - artificial languages. The planning aspect is broken into sections: from classical to multiagent planning - a general multiagent planning theory - intention - intention-directed multiagent planning. Finally, a summary of Brigitte and Hassan Lâasri and Victor Lesser\u27s negotiation theory will be presented

Designinig Coordination among Human and Software Agents

The goal of this paper is to propose a new methodology for designing coordination between human angents and software agents and, ultimately, among software agents. The methodology is based on two key ideas. The first is that coordination should be designed in steps, according to a precise software engineering methodology, and starting from the specification of early requirements. The second is that coordination should be modeled as dependency between actors. Two actors may depend on one another because they want to achieve goals, acquire resources or execute a plan. The methodology used is based on Tropos, an agent oriented software engineering methodology presented in earlier papers. The methodology is presented with the help of a case study

Fuzzy-Based Intelligent Sensors: Modeling, Design, Application

This paper presents a modeling of intelligent sensors based on a representation of the sensor by services it uses or it proposes, and by its USer Operating Modes (USOMs). This modeling is used for the definition of the reactive layer of distributed agent based intelligent sensors. Our area of interest is the agent-level layer in which the concept of IIC (Intelligent Instrument Cluster) is defined. An application that uses fuzzy-based intelligent sensors is presented in order to illustrate the concepts

Formalising trust as a computational concept

Trust is a judgement of unquestionable utility - as humans we use it every day of our lives. However, trust has suffered from an imperfect understanding, a plethora of definitions, and informal use in the literature and in everyday life. It is common to say "I trust you, " but what does that mean? This thesis provides a clarification of trust. We present a formalism for trust which provides us with a tool for precise discussion. The formalism is implementable: it can be embedded in an artificial agent, enabling the agent to make trust-based decisions. Its applicability in the domain of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) is raised. The thesis presents a testbed populated by simple trusting agents which substantiates the utility of the formalism. The formalism provides a step in the direction of a proper understanding and definition of human trust. A contribution of the thesis is its detailed exploration of the possibilities of future work in the area

Introduction to Multi-Agent Simulation

When designing systems that are complex, dynamic and stochastic in nature, simulation is generally recognised as one of the best design support technologies, and a valuable aid in the strategic and tactical decision making process. A simulation model consists of a set of rules that define how a system changes over time, given its current state. Unlike analytical models, a simulation model is not solved but is run and the changes of system states can be observed at any point in time. This provides an insight into system dynamics rather than just predicting the output of a system based on specific inputs. Simulation is not a decision making tool but a decision support tool, allowing better informed decisions to be made. Due to the complexity of the real world, a simulation model can only be an approximation of the target system. The essence of the art of simulation modelling is abstraction and simplification. Only those characteristics that are important for the study and analysis of the target system should be included in the simulation model

On the commitments and precommitments of limited agents

Rationality is an important concept in Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy. When artificial systems are considered to be intelligent or autonomous, it is almost obligatory to attribute intentions and beliefs to them. The currently dominant view of intentions sees them as involving commitments on the part of the agents who have them. But the notion of commitment seems to clash with the notion of rationality. It is argued that this need not be so. Commitments are only appropriate for agents with a limited capacity to reason. A treatment of commitment has been previously proposed that reconciles them with rationality. Here further motivations for the commitments of limited agents are discussed. This analysis is extended to account for the so-called precommitments, which have been excluded by others as introducing too much complexity

Model-based Information Retrieval System

Information retrieval System (IRS) is often defined as the location and delivery of documents to a user to satisfy their information needs. IR is the area of study concerned with searching for documents, for information within documents, and for metadata about documents, as well as that of searching structured storage, relational databases, and the worldwide web. There is an overlap in the usage of the terms data retrieval, document retrieval, information retrieval, and text retrieval. IR is interdisciplinary; based on computer science, mathematics, library science, information science, information architecture, cognitive psychology, linguistics, statistics and law. Automated information retrieval systems are used to reduce what has been called information overload. Many universities and public libraries use IR system to provide access to books, journals and other documents. Web search engines are the most visible IR applications. This article is the design and implementation of information retrieval system that deals with this aspect of the institution’s administration by providing an easy to use computerized application to assist in retrieving information