Patent · US Expired

Multiple-agent hybrid control architecture for intelligent real-time control of distributed nonlinear processes

US6088689A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
6References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 1995
Grant dateJul 11, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P90/02
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A Multiple-Agent Hybrid Control Architecture (MAHCA) uses agents to analyze design, and implement intelligent control of distributed processes. A single agent can be configured to control a local process and a network of agents can be configured to control more complex distributed processes. Multiple agents interact through messages and can be either permanent or temporary. The network of agents interact to create an emergent global behavior. The network of agents support construction of closed-loop, autonomous systems which react to comply with two degrees of freedom: (1) a logic degree of freedom (useful for implementing switching between modes of control) and (2) an evolution degree of freedom (useful for implementing particular modes of control). Global behavior is emergent from individual agent behaviors and is achieved without central control through the imposition of global constraints on the network of individual agent behaviors (the logic agent network). MAHCA is especially useful for reactive synchronization of real-time distributed processes subject to decision-making under uncertainty where both logical and evolution constraints on system operation must be continuously …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.