Patent ID: 7305272

Claim:
A controller configured to operate as at least one agent, the controller comprising: at least one processing device; and at least one storage medium that is in communication with the at least one processing device, wherein the at least one storage medium stores a plurality of program portions that are executed by the at least one processing device, and wherein the plurality of program portions includes a first program portion capable of generating first signals that are commands to be provided to a controlled device; and a second program portion capable of governing standard agent-type functionality; and a third program portion capable of governing application-specific agent-type functionality, wherein the second program portion includes a planner that governs at least a portion of the standard agent-type functionality including creating and interpreting bid request messages and bid messages, wherein the second program portion includes an execution controller that governs at least a portion of the standard agent-type functionality including translating plans of the planner into commands that can be provided to the first program portion, and wherein the execution controller also monitors the first program portion and is capable of providing information regarding a status of the first program portion to the planner.