Environment-Based Coordination Through Coordination Artifacts | SpringerLink
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Environment-Based Coordination Through Coordination Artifacts

  • Conference paper
Environments for Multi-Agent Systems (E4MAS 2004)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 3374))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

In the context of human organisations, environment plays a fundamental role for supporting cooperative work and, more generally, complex coordination activities. Support is realised through services, tools, artifacts shared and exploited by the collectivity of individuals for achieving individual as well as global objectives.

The conceptual framework of coordination artifacts is meant to bring the same sort of approach to multiagent systems (MAS). Coordination artifacts are the entities used to instrument the environment so as to fruitfully support cooperative and social activities of agent ensembles. Here, infrastructures play a key role by providing services for artifact use and management.

In this work we describe this framework, by defining a model for the coordination artifact abstraction, and discussing the infrastructures and technologies currently available for engineering MAS application with coordination artifacts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
JPY 3498
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
JPY 5719
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
JPY 7149
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Parunak, H.V.D., Brueckner, S., Fleischer, M., Odell, J.: A preliminary taxonomy of multi-agent interactions. In: 2nd International Joint conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2002), pp. 1090–1091. ACM Press, New York (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fenster, M., Kraus, S., Rosenschein, J.S.: Coordination without communication: Experimental validation of focal point techniques. In: 1st International Conference on Multi-Agent Systems (ICMAS 1995), pp. 102–108. AAAI, Menlo Park (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ciancarini, P., Omicini, A., Zambonelli, F.: Multiagent system engineering: The coordination viewpoint. In: Jennings, N.R. (ed.) ATAL 1999. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 1757, pp. 250–259. Springer, Heidelberg (2000)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  4. Bonabeau, E., Dorigo, M., Theraulaz, G.: Swarm Intelligence: From Natural to Artificial Systems. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1999)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  5. Steels, L.: The artificial life roots of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Life Journal 1, 89–125 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ferber, J., Müller, J.P.: Influences and reaction: a model of situated multiagent systems. In: 2nd International Conference on Multi-Agent Systems, ICMAS 1996 (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Schmidt, K., Simone, C.: Coordination mechanisms: Towards a conceptual foundation of CSCW systems design. International Journal of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) 5, 155–200 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kirsh, D.: Distributed cognition, coordination and environment design. In: European conference on Cognitive Science, pp. 1–11 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Nardi, B.A.: Context and Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human-Computer Interaction. MIT Press, Cambridge (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Vygotsky, L.S.: Mind and Society. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Cost, S.R., Labrou, Y., Finin, T.: Coordinating agents using agent communication languages conversations. In: [57], ch. 7, pp. 183–196

    Google Scholar 

  12. Parunak, H.V.D., Brueckner, S., Sauter, J.: Digital pheromone mechanisms for coordination of unmanned vehicles. In: 1st International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems AAMAS 2002, pp. 449–450. ACM Press, New York (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Esteva, M., Rosell, B., Rodríguez-Aguilar, J.A., Arcos, J.L.: Ameli: An agent-based middleware for electronic institutions. In: Jennings, N.R., Sierra, C., Sonenberg, L., Tambe, M. (eds.) AAMAS 2004, vol. 1, pp. 236–243. ACM, New York (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ricci, A., Omicini, A., Denti, E.: Activity Theory as a framework for MAS coordination. In: Petta, P., Tolksdorf, R., Zambonelli, F. (eds.) ESAW 2002. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2577, pp. 96–110. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  15. Omicini, A., Ricci, A., Viroli, M., Castelfranchi, C., Tummolini, L.: Coordination artifacts: Environment-based coordination for intelligent agents. In: Jennings, N.R., Sierra, C., Sonenberg, L., Tambe, M. (eds.) 3rd International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2004), vol. 1, pp. 286–293. ACM, New York (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Malone, T., Crowston, K.: The interdisciplinary study of coordination. ACM Computing Surveys 26, 87–119 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Omicini, A., Ricci, A., Viroli, M., Cioffi, M., Rimassa, G.: Multi-agent infrastructures for objective and subjective coordination. Applied Artificial Intelligence 18, 815–831 (2004); Special Issue: Best papers from EUMAS 2003: The 1st European Workshop on Multi-agent Systems

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Viroli, M., Ricci, A.: Instructions-based semantics of agent mediated interaction. In: Jennings, N.R., Sierra, C., Sonenberg, L., Tambe, M. (eds.) 3rd International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2004), vol. 1, pp. 286–293. ACM, New York (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wooldridge, M.J., Jennings, N.R.: Intelligent agents: Theory and practice. The Knowledge Engineering Review 10, 115–152 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Bergstra, J.A., Ponse, A., Smolka, S.A. (eds.): Handbook of Process Algebra. North-Holland, Amsterdam (2001)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  21. Petri, C.A.: Kommunikation mit Automaten. PhD thesis, Institut für Instrumentelle Mathematik, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Berry, G., Boudol, G.: The chemical abstract machine. In: 17th ACM SIGPLAN-SIGACT symposium on Principles of programming languages, pp. 81–94. ACM Press, New York (1990)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. Durfee, E.H.: Scaling up agent coordination strategies. IEEE Computer 34 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Omicini, A., Denti, E.: From tuple spaces to tuple centres. Science of Computer Programming 41, 277–294 (2001)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  25. Dennett, D.: The Intentional Stance. Bradford Books/MIT Press, Cambridge (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Broy, M., Olderog, E.R.: Trace-oriented models of concurrency. In: Handbook of Process Algebra, pp. 101–195. North-Holland, Amsterdam (2001)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  27. Milner, R.: Communication and Concurrency. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1989)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  28. Kinny, D.: The Psi Calculus: An Algebraic Agent Language. In: Meyer, J.-J.C., Tambe, M. (eds.) ATAL 2001. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2333, p. 32. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  29. van Eijk, R.M., de Boer, F.S., van der Hoek, W., Meyer, J.J.C.: A verification framework for agent communication. Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems 2, 185–219 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Ricci, A., Viroli, M., Omicini, A.: Agent coordination context: From theory to practice. In: Trappl, R. (ed.) Proceedings of the 17th European Meeting on Cybernetics and Systems Research (EMCSR 2004), Vienna, Austria, Austrian Society for Cybernetic Studies, April 13–16, vol. 2, pp. 618–623 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Conte, R., Castelfranchi, C.: Cognitive and Social Action. University College London (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Zambonelli, F., Jennings, N.R., Omicini, A., Wooldridge, M.: Agent-oriented software engineering for internet applications. In: [57], ch. 13, pp. 369–398

    Google Scholar 

  33. Omicini, A., Ossowski, S.: Objective versus subjective coordination in the engineering of agent systems. In: Klusch, M., Bergamaschi, S., Edwards, P., Petta, P. (eds.) Intelligent Information Agents. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2586, pp. 179–202. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  34. Schumacher, M.: Objective Coordination in Multi-Agent System Engineering. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2039. Springer, Heidelberg (2001)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  35. Dayal, U., Hsu, M., Rivka, L.: Business process coordination: State of the art, trends and open issues. In: 27th VLDB Conference, Rome, Italy (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Nutt, G.: The evolution toward flexible workflow systems. Distributed Systems Engineering 3, 276–294 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Omicini, A., Ossowski, S., Ricci, A.: Coordination infrastructures in the engineering of multiagent systems. In: Bergenti, F., Gleizes, M.P., Zambonelli, F. (eds.) Methodologies and Software Engineering for Agent Systems: The Agent-Oriented Software Engineering Handbook, pp. 273–296. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (2004)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  38. Sandhu, R., Coyne, E.J., Feinstein, H.L., Youman, C.E.: Role-based control models. IEEE Computer 29, 38–47 (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ricci, A., Viroli, M., Omicini, A.: Role-Based Access Control in MAS using Agent Coordination Contexts. In: Dignum, V., Corkill, D., Jonker, C., Dignum, F. (eds.) Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop Agent Organizations: Theory and Practice (AOTP 2004), AAAI 2004, San José, CA, USA, pp. 15–22. AAAI Press, Menlo Park (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Omicini, A., Ricci, A., Viroli, M.: Formal specification and enactment of security policies through Agent Coordination Contexts. In: Focardi, R., Zavattaro, G. (eds.) Security Issues in Coordination Models, Languages and Systems. Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, vol. 85(3). Elsevier Science B. V., Amsterdam (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Omicini, A., Zambonelli, F.: Coordination for Internet application development. Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems 2, 251–269 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Cremonini, M., Omicini, A., Zambonelli, F.: Multi-agent systems on the Internet: Extending the scope of coordination towards security and topology. In: Garijo, F.J., Boman, M. (eds.) MAAMAW 1999. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 1647, pp. 77–88. Springer, Heidelberg (1999)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  43. Denti, E., Omicini, A., Ricci, A.: Coordination tools for MAS development and deployment. Applied Artificial Intelligence 16, 721–752 (2002); Special Issue: Engineering Agent Systems – Best of From Agent Theory to Agent Implementation (AT2AI-3)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Omicini, A., Ricci, A.: MAS organisation within a coordination infrastructure: Experiments in TuCSoN. In: Omicini, A., Petta, P., Pitt, J. (eds.) ESAW 2003. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 3071, pp. 200–217. Springer, Heidelberg (2004)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  45. Corkill, D.: Blackboard systems. Journal of AI Expert 9, 40–47 (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Peltz, C.: Web services orchestration and choreography. IEEE Computer 36, 46–52 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Ricci, A., Omicini, A., Denti, E.: Virtual enterprises and workflow management as agent coordination issues. International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems 11, 355–379 (2002); Special Issue: Cooperative Information Agents – Best Papers of CIA 2001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Papadopoulos, G.A.: Models and technologies for the coordination of Internet agents: A survey. In: Omicini, A., Zambonelli, F., Klusch, M., Tolksdorf, R. (eds.) Coordination of Internet Agents: Models, Technologies, and Applications, pp. 25–56. Springer, Heidelberg (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Papadopoulos, G.A., Arbab, F.: Coordination models and languages. Advances in Computers 46, 329–400 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Denti, E., Natali, A., Omicini, A.: Programmable coordination media. In: Garlan, D., Le Métayer, D. (eds.) COORDINATION 1997. LNCS, vol. 1282, pp. 274–288. Springer, Heidelberg (1997)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  51. Ciancarini, P.: Coordination models and languages as software integrators. ACM Computing Surveys 28, 300–302 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Cortes, M.: A coordination language for building collaborative applications. International Journal of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) 9, 5–31 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Agostini, A., De Michelis, G., Grasso, M.A.: Rethinking CSCW systems: The architecture of MILANO. In: European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (ECSCW). Kluwer, Dordrecht (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Mamei, M., Zambonelli, F., Leonardi, L.: Co-fields: Towards a unifying approach to the engineering of swarm intelligent systems. In: Petta, P., Tolksdorf, R., Zambonelli, F. (eds.) ESAW 2002. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2577, pp. 68–81. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  55. Pynadath, D.V., Tambe, M.: Automated teamwork among heterogeneous software agents and humans. Journal of Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems (JAAMAS), 71–100 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Omicini, A.: SODA: Societies and infrastructures in the analysis and design of agent-based systems. In: Ciancarini, P., Wooldridge, M.J. (eds.) AOSE 2000. LNCS, vol. 1957, pp. 185–193. Springer, Heidelberg (2001)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  57. Omicini, A., Zambonelli, F., Klusch, M., Tolksdorf, R. (eds.): Coordination of Internet Agents: Models, Technologies, and Applications. Springer, Heidelberg (2001)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DEIS, Università di Bologna, via Venezia 52, 47023, Cesena, Italy

    Alessandro Ricci, Mirko Viroli & Andrea Omicini

Authors
  1. Alessandro Ricci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mirko Viroli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andrea Omicini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DistriNet Labs, K.U. Leuven, Belgium

    Danny Weyns

  2. NewVectors, 3520 Green Court, Suite 250, 48105, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    H. Van Dyke Parunak

  3. MODECO-CReSTIC, Université de Reims, B.P. 1035, 51687, Reims, France

    Fabien Michel

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Ricci, A., Viroli, M., Omicini, A. (2005). Environment-Based Coordination Through Coordination Artifacts. In: Weyns, D., Van Dyke Parunak, H., Michel, F. (eds) Environments for Multi-Agent Systems. E4MAS 2004. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 3374. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-32259-7_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-32259-7_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-24575-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-32259-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation