Online algorithms supporting emergence in distributed CAD systems
The rule-based approach from traditional AI and the conventional constraint satisfaction algorithms are not adequate to cope with the unpredictable events and interactive computations in distributed CAD environments. This paper claims that the problems faced by distributed CAD systems require solutions based on the concepts of emergence, reactivity, and online algorithms. The present paper presents Extended Constraints Graphs (ECGs) as online algorithms supporting emergence in a network of reactive agents. ECGs represent an effective solution for the nonlinear constraint problem in cyclic graphs, which are distributed over a heterogeneous computer network. The relationships between agents in an ECG are generic, distributed, recursive and nonlinear  a problem not solved in the literature. Also this paper presents a CORBA model integrated with a Geometry Bus to support distributed virtual prototype whose variables can be defined in terms of ECGs.
online algorithms emergence cad distributed objects