Using Single Function Agents to investigate conflict

Abstract

Design Expert Systems can be built using many small, cooperating, limited function expert systems called Single Function Agents (SiFAs). Using this approach we will be able to investigate and discover primitive problem-solving and interaction patterns, specific for multiagent design systems, and should gain a deeper understanding of the types of knowledge involved. This paper presents some categories of conflicts that have been studied using the SiFA approach, and makes a brief presentation of the SINE implementation of SiFAs.

Developing computational design creativity systems

“…Agents have been used for design in multi-agent design systems (MADS) (Lander, 1997), but the allocation of functionality to agents and the MADS architecture imposed is going to be critical (Dunskus, Grecu, Brown, & Berker, 1995).…”

Expectation Formation in Multi-Agent Design Systems

“…The agent model has evolved from the Single Function Agent (SiFA) paradigm (Dunskus et al 1995), and includes specialized, knowledge-based design agents with precise functionality. Each agent has a predefined function in the design process.…”

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“…Work by (Dunskus et al, 1995) has resulted in a preliminary categorization of agents. Selectors, evaluators, and other types have been described as single function agents.…”

“…This script can be derived from the event trace for the use case; further, the script is a specialization of the script for the abstract use case. (Dunskus et al, 1995) discusses the conflicts that can arise between a selector single function agent and an evaluator. If an evaluator gives a negative result, it is a critic.…”