Implicit commitments: Heterogeneous agent coordination for retrieval and assembly of distributed image data

摘要

This paper describes a multiple agent system for distributed planning, specifically for intelligent network information retrieval. The system consists of a set of reactive agents located at each information- or capability-provider site plus an agent to track each information request. The agents negotiate with each other to assemble a distributed plan for satisfaction of each information need and each agent also interfaces with local retrieval and data processing functions. The idea of an implicit commitment is presented as providing a way to enable automated coordination of resources (information and capabilities) localized among heterogeneous agents. The advantages of a “shared machine” implemented by such a commitment protocol are discussed and an implementation called TRACS for retrieval and assembly of satellite image data is presented.