Abstract

This paper joins new concepts in software design with the BDI reference model for agents and with a novel way of developing executable prototypes. Within the resulting conceptual framework, high level prototypes of multi-agent systems flow in a systematic way from abstract descriptions of the emergent behaviour patterns we expect agents collectively to produce. The contributions of the paper are: a novel approach, centering around Use Case Maps (UCMs), for linking together behaviour requirements, software design models and BDI-style reference models; application of agent conflict resolution techniques to the practical problem of telephony feature interaction, following this approach; a way that scales up of resolving conflicts, using competing rule engines in the executable prototypes; and demonstration of the essence of an intended approach for future commercial systems.

-- Jean Francois Roy - 18 Oct 2005

Discussion

This paper illustrates a concrete prototyping environment and a feature-interaction description/resolution example, based on ideas introduced in hicss98.pdf and agents-ucms.pdf.