Cooperative inferring apparatus for causing a plurality of inferring units that infer a problem to negotiate with each other corresponding to negotiation strategies that can be autonomously changed corresponding to such as a negotiation history

摘要

In a negotiation performed among a plurality of inferring units that are mutually connected through a network, at any time of which a consistent inferred state is obtained, the inferred state is accepted by the units as a settled inferred state. Since each inferring unit can perform an inference based on the settled inferred state, the inference can be effectively performed. Particularly, when a negotiation is hierarchically performed (hierarchical negotiation) or when a plurality of negotiations are performed in parallel (multi-negotiation), each negotiation can be consistently effected. In addition, in a negotiating process, each inferring unit negotiates with other inferring units using negotiation strategies having a standpoint of priority (role) and tolerance (transaction) of a request in the negotiation. In addition, each inferring unit autonomously changes the negotiation strategies for use corresponding to the negotiation history, the current internal state, and the current external state. Thus, proper negotiation strategies can be used for a complicated problem. Consequently, a negotiation can be easily effected.