Patent ID: 7228187
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: G05B,G06Q,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A system for allowing a user to interact with a multi-agent distributed control system, the system comprising: a computerized terminal on which is displayed a user interface, wherein the user interface includes a first window displaying a workflow among a first plurality of agents of the multi-agent system wherein the workflow shows agents visually linked with respect to planning, commitment or execution of work undertaken by the agents in effecting the distributed control; wherein the user interface further includes at least one of: a second window displaying a first list of messages sent between pairs of agents of one of the first plurality of agents and a second plurality of agents of the multi-agent system; and a third window displaying a second list of work units requested by at least one of the agents of the first and second pluralities of agents; wherein the user interface includes the second window, wherein across a top portion of the second window are listed the agents between which the messages of the first list were sent, wherein extending downward from each of the listed agents are respective vertical lines corresponding to the respective listed agents, and wherein a plurality of arrows representative of the messages between the listed agents connect the respective vertical lines corresponding to the listed agents between which the messages were sent.