A‐pool: An agent‐oriented open system shell for distributed decision process modeling |
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Authors: | Wen‐Ran Zhang Wenhua Wang Ronald S King |
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Institution: | 1. Latmar University;2. Computer Science Dept. , Latmar University , P.O. Box 10056, Beaumont, TX, 77710;3. Project Engineer in a major computer company , 4F No25 Aly33 Ln335, Yuang‐Tung Rd. Chung‐Ho, Taipei, 23569, Taiwan;4. Latmar University |
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Abstract: | An agent‐oriented open system shell, A‐Pool, for distributed decision process modeling in the Internet domain is presented. Unlike most decision support systems, A‐Pool provides a testbed for modeling and understanding the cognitive aspects of distributed decision processes themselves rather than for domain‐specific problem solving. This is achieved with a pool of virtual agents and a pool of cognitive maps of the agents at each A‐Pool node. The virtual agent scheme extends object‐oriented programming to the Internet domain and supports different communication and collaboration protocols with virtual communities, virtual sessions, and virtual conferences. The cognitive map scheme supports perspective sharing and various conflict integration and resolution strategies through cognitive map composition, derivation, and focus generation. Thus each A‐Pool node provides an architecture for modeling interdependencies and for ensuring global coherence; in addition, the communication is asynchronous and the control is distributed, allowing a large degree of autonomy and the examination of various thoughts and social protocols involved in strategic planning in an open system environment. Basic ideas are illustrated with a running example. |
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Keywords: | agent‐oriented open system virtual communities virtual conference cognitive‐map‐based conflict resolution cooperation and coordination without coercion distributed decision process modeling |
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