A Generic Method for Personalizing Interactive Systems: Application to Traveler Information - Human-Computer Interactions in Transport - page 61

3.4. PerSyst: personalization system supporting the PerMet method
PerMet separates the IS from the PS to take into account the personalization
process of different input-output modalities (sound, image, Braille, etc.), different
communication channels (Internet, SMS, e-mail, etc.) and different interaction
platforms (PC, smartphone, television, etc.). The PerMet method emphasizes the
need for an evolving and distributed PS that can take into account different types of
personalization.
To do this, PerMet recommends the use of a PS based on software agents. In
what follows, the general architecture and the design of the PerSyst PS will be
described, as well as general models that are useful for the development of a PIS.
This is described in full in [ANL 06a].
3.4.1. General architecture and design of PerSyst
The two main characteristics that the PS must have are: the possibility of
communication with external applications (not necessarily based on software
agents); and upgradeability. It is therefore natural that the architecture of PerSyst
comprises an agent enabling this communication (communication agent) and an
agent enabling the upgradeability of the MAS which makes up the PS
(administration agent) that is to be managed. Other agents could then appear in the
PS depending on the needs of a project (these agents are established during
progression of the PS part of the PerMet method). To make the link between the
different agents of the PS, another agent (a coordination agent) has been defined.
Indeed, as the agents are completely autonomous and can be located at various
points in the network, it is necessary to have a reference source that will allow the
developer to locate the agents and possibly interact with them (evolve their skills,
change their location, etc.). This coordination agent also intervenes for the
transmission of different messages that agents can exchange between themselves to
meet a global objective of the PS. The general architecture of the PerSyst therefore
consists of different agents. Figure 3.2 presents the general architecture of PerSyst
and its interactions with the existing ISs.
The three agents of communication, coordination and administration (contained
in the ellipsis with the grey background in Figure 3.2) form the core of PerSyst. The
other agents, which we call applicative agents (A for Assistant , P for Profile , and
S for Search) , are examples of agents (they are the most used agent models for the
construction of PISs), which could be defined to meet specific objectives according
to a particular project.