Agent, method and computer system for negotiating in a virtual environment

Abstract

A multi-agent system is described that uses software agents to represent objects in a chosen real world environment. Each agent has structure having certain characteristics where a relation with other agents can be established if the other agents have characteristics that are suitable to the requesting agent. The multi-agent system is able to perform dynamic negotiations autonomously between agents so as to establish relations when a new event enters the system or to offer compensation to modify existing relations and to self-organise to optimise the overall value of the system.

1 . An agent adapted for negotiating in a virtual environment, the agent comprising:
 an agent descriptor implemented as an executable program and comprising a set of properties which determine the negotiating characteristics of the agent; and   an agent body implemented as an executable program and comprising at least one sensor for receiving information from the virtual environment, at least one actuator for interacting with the environment, and a decision engine operable in an active state during a predetermined time period to execute a decision making process based on the information received from the at least one sensor wherein the decision engine is operable to establish a relation with another agent in dependence on the negotiating characteristics and to determine a value representing the quality of the established relation.