Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
514 Advanced Artificial Intelligence
representation of mental states, can be the same. The differences are only in the
decision making strategies, actions they may perform, and representation of
knowledge. By separating these parts, we can get a kernel of agents that is same
for all agents. We make some slots on the kernel, so the decision making
methods, and domain related function modules can be inserted to the kernel very
conveniently.
Figure 14.8. Illustration of agent kernel
The agent kernel is like the main frame of a computer, while the function
modules are just like some functional cards inserted to the slots. The mailbox is a
device used to perform inter-agent communication, and the blackboard is for the
communication within the agent, that is, between function modules, or function
module and execution engine. The agent kernel also has a built-in database,
where it records useful information of itself and other agents.
14.4 Agent Communication Language ACL
FIPA (Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents) is an IEEE Computer Society
standards organization that promotes agent-based technology and the
interoperability of its standards with other technologies. FIPA, the standards
organization for agents and multi-agent systems was officially accepted by the
IEEE as its eleventh standards committee on 8 June 2005.
