JP2002324055A - Message processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system capable of flexibly coping with conversation between agents. SOLUTION: The communication system provides a software conversation component 200 corresponding to an ear and eyes to an agent 201. The agent provides an agent communication language that is similar to human conversation when having a conversation and transmits the agent communication language to the conversation component 200 as a message packet. The conversation component 200 generates a plurality of a conversation thread in a conversation unit and has a conversation with a plurality of nodes in an asynchronous parallel. A protocol manager 230 receives data (a message packet) from a network in other node receiving the message packet and delivers them to the conversation component 200. The conversation component 200 understands the message packet and performs its content. The conversation component 200 moves to other place together with a moving agent in a suitable embodiment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing method in a computer network, and more particularly, to a method for processing data in a computer network.
In a distributed computer environment, the present invention relates to an improved data processing method for supporting communication between two or more nodes existing on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a distributed computer environment, a user has moved to a place provided on a server existing on a network while maintaining his own internal state.
There is a mobile agent (mobile agent) technology for forming an instruction in a destination place (JP-A-7-182174 (US Pat. No. 5,603,03)).
1), "Nikkei Communication Separate Volume, Latest Internet Technology"
Bunbiko, Susumu Fujiwara etc.).

[0003] Such a mobile agent can contact another agent (mobile agent or resident agent) at the destination place and receive necessary services. A place is a moving place of an agent provided by a server existing on a network, supports contact between agents, and absorbs hardware and platform differences.

[0004] The technology of the mobile agent has been manually adjusted so far, for example, by dynamically adjusting the setting of an in-house meeting in accordance with the schedule of an employee or the reservation status of a conference room, or obtaining desired information distributed on a network. This allows the mobile agent to take over the work being done.

However, in conventional mobile agents, communication between agents is realized by a conventional method call (subroutine call) or low-level message passing, so that flexible and smooth information exchange between agents can be achieved. It has made it difficult to achieve cooperative operation. Further, in order to communicate using an agent, it is necessary to define a routine conversation process, which is a burden on the user of the agent. Further, since no agent communication language is used for realizing communication between various agents, communication between heterogeneous agents has been extremely difficult.

[0006] On the other hand, when humans have a conversation, in general, there are: In order for the speaker to convey the speaker's intent to the listener,
1. Prepare the content to be spoken, Start talking. 3. 3. The listener listens to the story, understands the flow of the story, 4. Associating and associating the background of the story with what he experienced. 5. Understand the contents of the story, As a result, the act takes place. And so on.

[0007] By patterning the conversation in this way, a simple computer messaging system is defined as being closer to natural language message processing, and if it is designed to be reusable, it is closer to a natural language system than before. This makes it possible to construct an intelligent message system that can process messages, is friendly to the user who uses it, and exchanges a series of packet flows with some context while being aware of the context.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide an agent (mobile agent or resident agent) to communicate using an agent communication language which is intuitive and understandable to humans. To provide a communication system that can

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of simultaneously performing a conversation with a plurality of agents (mobile agents or resident agents) asynchronously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which an agent can communicate without being conscious of various agent communication languages and communication protocols.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system which realizes high-speed parallel conversation processing.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the effort and time required for developing and maintaining a programmer in supporting communication between agents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system which can flexibly cope with a conversation between agents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a message processing system that places less burden on a communication system.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an agent with software components (agent communication system) corresponding to ears and mouth. In this agent communication system, the ear is "handleMessage" API (Application Program I
nterface), the mouth is called "sendMessage"
Provided by API. In one embodiment of the present invention, these APIs are implemented as methods (methods in object-oriented terms) of the agent communication language manager object of the agent communication system.

When a conversation is started, the agent prepares an agent communication language (ACL) similar to a human conversation and sends it to sendMessage. Message packets sent by utterance include:
Since the source and destination fields are included, the agent communication system can recognize the location of the other party.

On the other hand, in another node receiving the message packet, a protocol manager, which is a component for processing data flowing through the network, receives data (message packet) from the network, and -Pass it to the handleMessage method of the communication language manager object. handleMessage method is the message
Understand the packet and take action.

In one aspect of the present invention, when the agent communication system transmits or receives a message packet, it determines whether a new conversation has started and determines that a new conversation has started. In such a case, a new conversation thread is created. With this conversation thread, a conversation can be simultaneously progressed asynchronously with a plurality of agents (mobile agents or resident agents).

In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to attach the ear and mouth to the agent, the agent
This can be achieved simply by instantiating the communication language manager object.

In one aspect of the present invention, (a) detecting a message packet containing destination information and conversation thread identification information; and (b) responding to the conversation thread identification information contained in the message packet. Determining whether or not the created conversation thread exists in the message processing device; and (c) generating a new conversation thread when it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device. And (d) transmitting the message packet to a destination corresponding to the destination information. The message processing device connected to a network, comprising: A message processing method to be performed is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) detecting a message packet including destination information, conversation thread identification information, and content information; and (b)
Determining whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet exists in the message processing device; and (c) determining that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device. Generating a new conversation thread, (d) converting the message packet into a protocol corresponding to the network to which the message processing device is connected, and (e) responding to the destination information. Transmitting a message packet to a destination, and providing a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads, the message processing method being executed by a message processing device connected to a network.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) detecting a message packet containing conversation thread identification information; and (b) a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information contained in the message packet. Determining whether is present in the message processing device;
(C) generating a new conversation thread when it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device; and a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads. A message processing method executed by a message processing device connected to a network is provided.

According to another aspect of the invention, (a) detecting a message packet containing conversation thread identification information and content information; and (b) detecting the message packet.
Determining whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the packet exists in the message processing device; and (c) determining that the corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device. Passing a control to the corresponding conversation thread, and a message processing method executed by a message processing device connected to a network, the conversation thread control unit being capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads.

According to another aspect of the invention, (a) receiving a message packet containing conversation thread identification information; and (b) a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information contained in the message packet. Determining whether is present in the message processing device;
(C) generating a new conversation thread when it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device; and a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads. A message processing method executed by a message processing device connected to a network is provided.

In another aspect of the invention, (a) receiving a message packet containing conversation thread identification information and content information; and (b) receiving the message packet.
Determining whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the packet exists in the message processing device; and (c) determining that the corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device. Having a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads including: passing control to the corresponding conversation thread; and (d) analyzing the content of the content information.
A message processing method executed by a message processing device connected to a network is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) stopping the plurality of conversation threads, (b) transmitting the conversation part object to another place via the network, c) in the another message processing device, resuming the plurality of conversation threads; and a conversation component object including a conversation thread control unit capable of controlling the plurality of conversation threads. A message processing method executed by a message processing device capable of sending a message to another message processing device via a network is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agent communication language for detecting a message packet including (a) a plurality of conversation threads, (b) destination information, conversation thread identification information, and content information. (C-1) determining whether or not a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet exists in the message processing device;
-2) when it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device, a conversation thread control unit for generating a new conversation thread; and (d) the message processing device connects the message packet. There is provided a message processing device connected to a network, including a protocol manager for converting the protocol into a protocol compatible with the network.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) an agent communication language manager for detecting a message packet containing conversation thread identification information; and (b-1) a conversation thread identification included in the message packet. It is determined whether a conversation thread corresponding to the information exists in the message processing device. (B-2) If it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device, a new conversation thread is generated. And a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads including the conversation thread control unit, and a message processing device connected to a network is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) an agent communication language manager for detecting a message packet including conversation thread identification information and content information; and (b-1) included in the message packet It is determined whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information exists in the message processing device. (B-2) When it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device, the corresponding conversation is determined. There is provided a message processing device that has a conversation thread control unit that can generate a plurality of conversation threads including a conversation thread control unit that transfers control to a thread, and is connected to a network.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a protocol manager for receiving a message packet including conversation thread identification information; and (b-1) a conversation thread identification information included in the message packet. Determining whether a corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device; (b-2) determining that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device;
A conversation thread control unit for generating a new conversation thread;
And a message processing device connected to a network, which has a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads including:

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a protocol manager for receiving a message packet containing conversation thread identification information and content information;
1) determining whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet exists in the message processing device; and (b-2) determining that the corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device. A conversation thread control unit that can generate a plurality of conversation threads including: a conversation thread control unit that transfers control to the corresponding conversation thread when it is determined; and (d) an interpreter that analyzes the content of the content information. A message processing device connected to a network is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, (a) a message including destination information and conversation thread identification information;
A program code for instructing the message processing device to detect a packet; and (b) determining whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet exists in the message processing device. And (c) determining that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device, and generating the new conversation thread when the message processing device determines that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device. A plurality of conversations including: a program code for instructing a device; and (d) a program code for instructing the message processing device to transmit the message packet to a destination corresponding to the destination information. It has a conversation thread control unit that can create threads, and Recording medium storing a message processing program executed by the message processing apparatus is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a program code for instructing the message processing device to detect a message packet including destination information, conversation thread identification information, and content information When,
(B) a program code for instructing the message processing device to determine whether or not a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet exists in the message processing device; (c)
A program code for instructing the message processing device to create a new conversation thread when it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device; and (E) transmitting the message packet to a destination corresponding to the destination information; and (e) a program code for instructing the message processing apparatus to convert to a protocol corresponding to a network to which the message processing apparatus is connected. Recording a message processing program to be executed by a message processing device connected to a network, the program having a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads including: A medium is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a program code for instructing the message processing device to detect a message packet including conversation thread identification information; and (b) the message packet. (C) a program code for instructing the message processing device to determine whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message processing device exists in the message processing device; And a program code for instructing the message processing apparatus to generate a new conversation thread when it is determined that the conversation thread does not exist in the message processing apparatus. And
A recording medium storing a message processing program executed by a message processing device connected to a network is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there are provided (a) a program code for instructing the message processing device to detect a message packet including conversation thread identification information and content information; Program code for instructing the message processing device to determine whether or not the message processing device has a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet; and (c) the corresponding conversation. A program code for instructing the message processing device to pass control to the corresponding conversation thread when it is determined that the thread exists in the message processing device; and a conversation thread capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads. Has a control unit and is executed by a message processing device connected to the network Recording medium storing a message processing program is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a program code for instructing the message processing device to receive a message packet including conversation thread identification information; and (b) the message packet. (C) a program code for instructing the message processing device to determine whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message processing device exists in the message processing device; And a program code for instructing the message processing apparatus to generate a new conversation thread when it is determined that the conversation thread does not exist in the message processing apparatus. And
A recording medium storing a message processing program executed by a message processing device connected to a network is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there are provided (a) a program code for instructing the message processing apparatus to receive a message packet including conversation thread identification information and content information; Program code for instructing the message processing device to determine whether or not the message processing device has a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet; and (c) the corresponding conversation. If it is determined that a thread exists in the message processing device, a program code for instructing the message processing device to transfer control to the corresponding conversation thread; and (d) analyzing the content of the content information. And a program code for instructing the message processing device It has a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation thread, a recording medium which stores a message processing program executed by the message processing apparatus connected to a network is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a program code for instructing the message processing device to stop the plurality of conversation threads; and (b)
Program code for instructing the message processing device to send the conversation component object to another place via the network; and (c) the other message processing device resuming the plurality of conversation threads. And a conversation component object including a conversation thread control unit capable of controlling the conversation threads, the method including transmitting a message to another message processing device via a network. There is provided a recording medium storing a message processing program to be executed by a message processing device capable of transmitting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agent communication language for detecting a message packet including (a) a plurality of conversation threads, (b) destination information, conversation thread identification information, and content information. (C-1) determining whether or not a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information included in the message packet exists in the message processing device;
-2) when it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device, a conversation thread control unit for generating a new conversation thread; and (d) the message processing device connects the message packet. A conversation manager that converts a protocol compatible with a network, and a conversation thread control unit that can generate a plurality of conversation threads, and a conversation component object that includes a plurality of objects to be loaded into a message processing device connected to the network Is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there are provided (a) an agent communication language manager for detecting a message packet including conversation thread identification information; and (b-1) a conversation thread identification included in the message packet. It is determined whether a conversation thread corresponding to the information exists in the message processing device. (B-2) If it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device, a new conversation thread is generated. And a conversation thread control unit capable of generating a plurality of conversation threads including a conversation part object including a plurality of objects to be loaded into a message processing device connected to a network. Provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) an agent communication language manager for detecting a message packet containing conversation thread identification information and content information; and (b-1) included in the message packet It is determined whether a conversation thread corresponding to the conversation thread identification information exists in the message processing device. (B-2) When it is determined that the corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device, the corresponding conversation is determined. A conversation thread control unit that transfers control to a thread, and a conversation thread control unit that can generate a plurality of conversation threads including: a conversation component object including a plurality of objects to be loaded into a message processing device connected to a network. A recording medium is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, (a) a protocol manager for receiving a message packet including conversation thread identification information; and (b-1) a conversation thread identification information included in the message packet. Determining whether a corresponding conversation thread exists in the message processing device; (b-2) determining that the corresponding conversation thread does not exist in the message processing device;
A conversation thread control unit for generating a new conversation thread;
And a recording medium storing a conversation part object including a plurality of objects to be loaded into a message processing device connected to a network.

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a distributed network environment 150 that implements the moving objects of the present invention.
Each server 112-115 has a mobile agent 12
5, 102, and 105 that can provide services to 135, 141, and the like. A group of places in this distributed network environment is called a cloud.

In the client system 101, there is an application 113 for generating and moving a mobile agent. Application 11
The mobile agent 125 or the like sent out by the third party contacts another agent (mobile agent or resident agent) existing in each of the places 102 to 105, and sends a request to the agent that provides the service (in particular, the agent that provides the service). , You can receive the results of that request. Places are
Supports contact between agents. Further, the mobile agent 125 or the like can hold the result of the request received from the actor agent, continue the movement, or send the result to the client 101 or another place during the movement.

Also, the mobile agent (or resident agent) 125 can send a message packet to another place, execute a conversation at another place, and execute an instruction.

FIG. 2 shows an overview of the hardware configuration of each node (server or client site) existing on the distributed network environment shown in FIG.
Each node 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1 and a memory 4. The CPU 1 and the memory 4 are connected via a bus 2 to a hard disk device 13 as an auxiliary storage device. Floppy (R) disk device 20, hard disk devices 13, 30, CD-ROM drive 2
6, 29, the storage medium drive device such as the MO drive 28,
It is connected to the bus 2 via various controllers such as a floppy (R) disk controller 19, an IDE controller 25, and a SCSI controller 27.

A portable storage medium such as a floppy (R) disk is inserted into a storage medium drive such as the floppy (R) disk device 20, and a storage medium such as the floppy (R) disk or the hard disk device 13 or the ROM 14 is inserted. The medium can provide instructions to a CPU or the like in cooperation with an operating system, and can record computer software for implementing the present invention, and can be executed by being loaded into the memory 4. The computer software can be compressed or divided into a plurality of pieces and recorded on a plurality of media.

The node system 100 further includes a user
The system may be provided with interface hardware. Examples of the user interface hardware include a pointing device (mouse, joystick, etc.) 7 or keyboard 6 for inputting, and visual data to the user. There is a display 12 for presentation, and it is also possible to connect a printer via a parallel port 16. The node system 100 can be connected to a modem via a serial port 15 and is connected to a network via the serial port 15 and a modem or a token ring or a communication adapter 18 to communicate with another computer system. It is carried out.

Thus, it will be easily understood that the present invention can be implemented by a normal personal computer (PC), a workstation, a general-purpose machine, or a combination thereof. However, these components are merely examples, and not all the components are essential components of the present invention.

For example, on the server side, a user interface or the like is not required, and only a basic data processing function such as a CPU and a memory and a communication function are sufficient. Further, the client side only needs to have a configuration necessary for transmitting a message packet, which will be described later, and has a communication function and some kind of designation for specifying the message packet and instructing transmission of the message packet. All that is required is a data processing function and input means. Further, when remotely controlling the client machine from a portable information terminal or the like, a data processing function and a communication function of receiving a command to transmit a message packet from the portable information terminal, detecting the command, and transmitting the message packet. Is enough.

Both the client system and the server system use Wi as an operating system.
Windows (R) NT (a trademark of Microsoft), Win
Windows (R) 95 (a trademark of Microsoft), Windows
ows (R) 3. x (Microsoft trademark), OS / 2
(Trademark of IBM), X-W on AIX (Trademark of IBM)
INDOW system (trademark of MIT), Solaris
(A trademark of Sun Microsystems)
One that supports the multi-window environment, PC-
For character-based environments such as DOS (IBM trademark), MS-DOS (Microsoft trademark), and OS / Open (IBM trademark) VxWorks
(Wind River Systems, Inc.
And a real-time OS such as a trademark of the U.S.A. and is not limited to a specific operating system environment.

B. System Configuration Next, a server-side system configuration in a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The agent 201 is a mobile agent sent to this server or a resident agent resident on this server. This agent 201
Sends a message packet, described below, or
Upon receipt, the user can interact with the agent communication system 200.

The agent / communication language manager 203 includes an agent 201, an existing system,
It is a component for receiving messages sent from the network and sending messages to these systems.

The conversation thread control unit 205 includes a thread 207 corresponding to each conversation for interacting with the agent 201 or the like.
(It is multithreaded to accept multiple conversations asynchronously; this thread is called a conversation thread), and creates an appropriate thread according to the flow of the conversation,
Or a component that passes control to an already created thread. In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of conversation threads 207 are generated, and thereby conversation can be performed with a plurality of agents in parallel and asynchronously.

The message log 211 is a component that stores a conversation. The conversation content monitoring unit 217 is a component that performs a policy check on whether or not a conversation is established based on the conversation log stored in the message log 211 and the currently uttered content. In addition, the conversation content monitoring unit loader 215 is provided for the conversation content monitoring unit 2 corresponding to the message type of the message packet 300.
17 is a component for calling out.

The translator 221 is a component for translating the agent communication language used for conversation into another language. The translator loader 219 is a component that manages the translator group.

The interpreter 225 is a component for understanding and executing the contents of a conversation. A plurality of interpreters are provided corresponding to the ontology and the description language described later, and each has a format check routine, a content interpretation routine, and an execution routine specialized for the ontology. For example, if the ontology is about transportation reservations, you may see "Reserve, flig
ht, Narita to Tacoma, 1997/07/06/15: 00-1997 / 07/06 /
18:00 "is received, a predetermined format check is performed, and a specific content interpretation routine such as interpreting" R "as a command for instructing reservation is executed.
A specific execution routine such as checking a reservation status or the like is executed by accessing a predetermined airline database. And finally, at 17:10 on July 5, 1997
Xx Airlines 26 departing from Narita Airport and bound for Tacoma Airport in Seattle
Make reservations for non-smoking flights and flights and confirm the reservation with the sender.

The interpreter loader 223 is a component for managing the interpreters 225. The protocol manager 230 is a component for converting a protocol according to a type of a network to be connected.

Although the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 have been described above, these functional blocks (components) are logical functional blocks, and can be realized only by hardware and software having one unit. However, the present invention can also be realized by operating complex or common software using hardware resources. Also, not all the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 are essential components of the present invention.

For example, the present invention provides an agent with a special function for conversing with another agent or an existing system, so that the interpreting components such as the conversation content monitoring unit 217, the translator 221, and the interpreter 225 are used. Either one may be present, and the conversation content monitoring unit loader 215, translator loader 219, and interpreter loader 223 are unnecessary components. In one embodiment of the present invention, since one or more conversation threads are prepared for conversation with a particular agent or the like, the agent / communication language manager 2
03, conversation thread control unit 205, message log 2
11. The ID generator 213 is not an essential component.

C. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a message packet 300 used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation state of each component shown in FIG.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the message type 301 contained in the message packet 300 of FIG. 4 uses an Agent Communication Language (ACL) performant. ACL is a high-level language that provides communication between agents in a form similar to human language, and is based on FIPA (Foundation for Intel).
ligent Physical Agents)
QML (Knowledge Query Manipulation Language), K
IF (Knowledge Interchange Format), etc. These languages are described in "SEMANTICS FOR AN AGENT COMMUNICATION LA
NGUAGE, Yannis Labrou, A Doctoral Dissertation for
the PhD Defense Examination, Submitted to the Def
ense Committee, at the Computer Science and Electr
ical Engineering Department (CSEE), University of
Maryland Graduate School "and" TR CS-97-03, A Proposa
l fora new KQML Specification, Yannis Labrou and T
im Finin February 3, 1997 ".

The following are KQML performers, one of the ACLs. ask-if, ask-all, ask
-one, stream-all, eos, tell, untell, deny, insert, uninse
rt, delete-one, delete-all, undelete, achieve, unachiev
e, advertise, unadvertise, subscribe, error, sorry, stan
dby, ready, next, rest, discard, register, unregister, fo
rward, broadcast, transport-address, broker-one, broke
r-all, recommend-one, recommend-all, recruit-one, recr
uit-all

The sender 303 is the source of the message, and the receiver 305 is the destination of the message.

The response ID 307 indicates the I following the preceding conversation.
D. When the agent 201 has a conversation with a plurality of opponents, a plurality of response IDs correspond to conversation threads described later.
Is allocated.

The conversation ID 309 is an ID for instructing a conversation partner to respond with this ID.

The description language type 311 is information for specifying the language describing the content. Ontology 3
13 is information for specifying an ontology defined by the content. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ticket purchase ontology, a numerical calculation ontology, a stock information ontology, a yellow page ontology, and the like are provided.

The content 315 is the specific content of the message, and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes software for forming instructions after moving to another place. This content 315
Can also contain message packets and can be moved to other places via relay points. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in such a case, apart from the sender 303 and the receiver 305, a From entry indicating the true sender and the ultimate recipient, and t
o entry is provided.

Next, the operation state of each component shown in FIG. 3 when speaking will be described with reference to FIG. The agent 201 sends the message packet of FIG. 4 to the agent communication system 200. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the components shown in FIG. 3 are defined as classes of an object-oriented language, and each object upon utterance is represented in FIG.
As shown in the object instruction diagram between the components, the operation of the other object is prompted by sending an instruction to the other object.

The agent communication language manager 203 that has received the message packet 300
Is called "sendMessage" or "receiveMessa
The message packet 300 is determined to be a message packet for utterance depending on whether it is called by "ge", and a request is made to the conversation thread control unit 205 for processing.

The conversation thread control unit 205 refers to the response ID 307 included in the message packet 300,
It is determined whether the conversation thread that has already been generated should be requested to be processed. When the conversation thread control unit 205 determines that the conversation is a new conversation, the conversation thread 207
Is generated, the ID of the new conversation ID 309 is instructed to the ID generator 213 via the conversation thread 207, and the process is transferred to the conversation thread 207.

In the present invention, since the conversation thread is dynamically generated as described above, a conversation with another system (such as an agent or an existing system) can be performed in parallel and asynchronously. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the response ID 307 is assigned an ID such as “URL + Date + Time + serial number” which is uniquely determined on the network.

The conversation thread 2 corresponding to the response ID 307
07 exists, the conversation thread control unit 205
Determines that the conversation is not a new conversation, and shifts the processing to the corresponding conversation thread 207. If the user wants to continue the conversation, the conversation thread 207
Instruct 3 to assign the conversation ID 309.

The message log 211 stores the message packet 300 sent to the conversation thread 207.

The conversation content monitor loader 215 calls the conversation content monitor 217 corresponding to the message type 301 of the message packet 300. The conversation content monitoring unit 217 according to the message type 301 is called by directly calling the conversation content monitoring component with the same class name as the message type even if the conversation content monitoring component table as shown in FIG. 7 is provided. Is also good.

The conversation content monitoring unit 217 performs a policy check as to whether or not a conversation is established based on the conversation log stored in the message log 211 and the currently uttered content. For example, the received message packet 30
If the message type 301 of “0” is “sorry” (a message type indicating that the contents of the conversation can be understood but the user does not have the processing capability), the corresponding response ID is read from the message log 211. Has the previous conversation I
With reference to the message type of the message having D, if it is a message type such as "ask-if" (a message type for inquiring the processing capacity of the other party), it is determined that there is no problem if the message type is established as a conversation. "sorry"
If it is determined that the message type cannot be established as a conversation such as
Processing such as sending a message packet of “error” (message type indicating an error) to the sender 303 of 0 is performed.

When it is determined that the conversation is established, the message packet 300 is transmitted from the conversation thread 207 to the node designated as the receiver 303 via the protocol manager 230. At this time, since the protocol manager 230 converts the message into a protocol according to the type of the network to be connected, the agent communication system 200 can transmit and receive the message packet 300 without being aware of the network protocol. .

Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation state of each component in the node that has received the transmitted message packet 300 will be described.

The agent communication language manager 203, which has received the message packet 300 from the protocol manager 230, is called by "handleMessage", and thus determines that the received message packet 300 is a message packet for receiving. It determines and requests the conversation thread control unit 205 for processing.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, protocol manager 230 includes agent communication language manager 2 since agent communication language manager 203 is internally instantiated.
03 knows its existence and can pass the flowing data to the agent communication language manager 203.

The conversation thread control unit 205 refers to the response ID 307 included in the message packet 300,
It is determined whether the conversation thread that has already been generated should be requested to be processed. When the conversation thread control unit 205 determines that the conversation is a new conversation, the conversation thread 207
Is newly generated, and the process is moved to the conversation thread 207.

The conversation thread 2 corresponding to the response ID 307
07 exists, the conversation thread control unit 205
Determines that the conversation is not a new conversation, and shifts the processing to the corresponding conversation thread 207.

The message log 211 stores the message packet 300 sent to the conversation thread 207.

The conversation content monitor loader 215 calls the conversation content monitor 217 corresponding to the message type 301 of the message packet 300.

The conversation content monitoring unit 217 performs a policy check on whether or not a conversation is established based on the conversation log stored in the message log 211 and the currently uttered contents.

When it is determined that the conversation is established, the conversation thread 207 shifts the processing to the interpreter loader 223. The interpreter loader 223 grasps the agent communication language of the message packet 300. The interpreter corresponding to the description language type 311 and the ontology 313 included in the message packet 300 has an interpreter management table 350 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it has been registered.

If the received message packet 30
If an interpreter corresponding to the agent communication language 0, the description language type 311 and the ontology 313 is registered in the interpreter management table 350, the content 3 is used by using the interpreter.
Perform 15 interpretations. Message packet 30 received
If the interpreters corresponding to the agent communication language 0, the description language type 311, and the ontology 313 are not registered in the interpreter management table 350, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an interpreter managed (accessible) by the system is used. -Determine whether an interpreter corresponding to the combination exists in the library.

If the content exists, the content is registered in the interpreter management table 350, and the interpreter 315 is used to interpret the content 315. When an interpreter corresponding to the combination of the agent communication language, the description language type 311 and the ontology 313 does not exist in the interpreter library, whether or not an interpreter corresponding to the combination of the description language type 311 and the ontology 313 exists in the interpreter library. Judge. If it does not exist, it is processed as unprocessable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ontologies are associated by a hierarchical structure, and an interpreter of the ontology with the highest correspondence may be used.

If it exists, the translator loader 219 is used to translate the content 315 into the agent communication language of the found interpreter.
Transfer processing to The translator loader 219 is shown in FIG.
With reference to the translator management table 340 as shown in FIG. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, if not present, the translator library is searched, registered in a table, and the translated content 315 is processed by the selected interpreter, as in the case of the interpreter. If it does not exist, it is determined that processing is impossible.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the result interpreted by the interpreter 225 is transmitted to the agent 231 and performs processing according to the content of the instruction described in the content 315. This content 315
Depending on the contents of the process, a process for extinguishing the conversation thread is performed, a process for starting a new utterance is performed, and a process for newly generating an agent is performed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, interpreter 225 returns processing to conversation thread 207. The conversation thread 207 waits until receiving the next message packet.

[0091] Unlike many API calls in conventional procedural systems, conversations occur asynchronously, so that even if any utterance is sent from the sender to the recipient, the recipient does not know when to reply. A reply may be issued when the information held by the recipient is changed by another external force (such as the action of another agent). Again, the reply is sent as a message packet 300. The conversation thread 207 is
Wait () until a response is returned that will continue the conversation
Waiting at. This "wait ()" is a conversation thread 20
This is a method for putting 7 in a wait state and waiting for being woken up (woken up) by a function (method) such as "notify ()". When a reply is returned, a message is passed to the agent system 200.
If the message turns out to be a message following the existing conversation, the thread of the paused conversation is awakened and the message is passed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the agent 231 has spoken in the past and is waiting for an answer, the conversation is uttered via the agent communication system 200 (to the agent communication system 200). sendMessage "), and a" Conversation "object is returned as the return value of" sendMessage ". The "Conversation" object is associated with an object that holds a state called a "Result" object. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the agent 231
ult "object by notifying it by polling its state.
ation).

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the agent communication agent which is a conversation component of the present invention is used.
To provide the system 200 to the agent 201,
JDK (Java (R) Development Ki
t: Java® is coded using Sun Microsystems, Inc.)

[Table 1] aclManager = new ACLManager (agentName, pro
tocolName, port);

The agent communication system 200 of the present invention can be provided to the agent 201 only by instantiating the ACLManager.

When speaking, for example, kqml
Prepare the object,

[Table 2] ConversationThread conv = (ConversationThread) aManager.sendMessage (kqml);

Speaking can be performed simply by performing

When waiting for a reply,

[Table 3]

Only polling is performed. In fact, the returned reply or the content uttered by the other party is correctly interpreted and executed by the interpreter in the default agent communication system 200.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, the registration of the interpretation execution part in the various management tables is performed at the time of execution. However, the registration is not performed at the time of execution, and the directory of the interpretation execution part is scanned only at the time of startup. It is also possible to examine what interpretation execution component is present and create and manage an interpretation execution component table.

Although the format in which the message packet 300 moves between nodes is adopted, the message packet 300 can be attached to the mobile agent 233 and sent as shown in FIGS. In such a case, the mobile agent 233 performs complicated operations such as walking across a plurality of places while holding the message packet 300 and having a conversation, and using the processing result to have a conversation at another place. It is also possible.

When the mobile agent moves on the network, it can be moved by executing the steps shown in FIG.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When an agent (mobile agent or resident agent) performs communication, it is possible to provide a communication system capable of conducting a conversation using an agent communication language which is intuitively understandable to humans.

In one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a message processing system in which unnecessary determination logic is reduced and high-speed processing is enabled.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system in which an agent can communicate without being conscious of various agent communication languages and communication protocols.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a communication system that realizes high-speed parallel conversation processing can be provided.

In one aspect of the present invention, in supporting communication between agents, the effort and time required for development and maintenance of a programmer can be reduced as much as possible.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system that can flexibly cope with a conversation between agents.

[0108] In one embodiment of the present invention, a message processing system with a small load on a communication system can be provided.

[0109]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a distributed network environment in which a mobile agent of the present invention operates.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a hardware configuration of a client system or a server system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing element in a client site or a server site of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a message packet according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing element in a client (or server) site of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an object interaction diagram between components in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a conversation content monitoring component management table in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing element in a server (or client) site of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an object interaction diagram between components in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an interpreter management table in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a translator management table in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing element in a client (or server) site of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing element in a server (or client) site of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a processing procedure when the agent communication system of the present invention is moved on a network.

FIG. 15 is an object interaction diagram between components in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 node system 200 agent communication system 203 agent communication language manager 205 conversation thread control unit 207 conversation thread 211 message log 213 ID generator 215 conversation content monitoring unit loader 217 conversation content monitoring unit 219 translator loader 221 translator 223 Loader for interpreter 225 Interpreter

Continued on the front page (72) Akira Nakata, Inventor 1623-14 Shimotsuruma, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Yamato Office of IBM Japan, Ltd. 14 Yamato Office of IBM Japan, Ltd. (72) Inventor Osamu Furusawa 1623 Shimotsuruma, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture Hiroshi 1623-14 Shimotsuruma, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Japan IBM Japan, Ltd. Yamato Office F-term (reference) 5B045 BB28 BB42 GG01

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A message processing device having a conversation component object including a plurality of threads and a thread control unit capable of controlling the plurality of threads, and being executed by a message processing device capable of sending a message to another message processing device via a network. (A) stopping the plurality of threads; (b) sending the conversation part object to another place via the network; and (c) the other message. A message processing method comprising: resuming the plurality of threads in a processing device.