Alberto Grosso

AgentService: a framework to develop distributed multiagent systems

This paper presents AgentService, a framework for developing Multiagent Systems (MAS). The key features introduced with AgentService are a flexible agent model and a modular platform. Agents can perform multitask activities as well as move among different platforms. The MAS is hosted in a modular environment so that the platform can be customised. Several tools come with the programming suite, in particular: a visual protocol designer and a set of language extensions integrated into a professional development environment to ease development.

A framework for the delivery of contents in RFID-driven smart environments

The increasing availability of sophisticated mobile network appliances, such as smartphones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), jointly with the maturity and costeffectiveness of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology, allow the rapid development of smart environments. This can dramatically increase the users experience enabling new interaction models. In this perspective, we present a framework to deploy RFID-driven smart environments to provide ad-hoc and personalized contents, to visitors in cultural settings (e.g., museums). The work showcases the architectural choices, from both the viewpoint of the needed hardware and the related interaction paradigm. Lastly, it also presents a preliminary performance evaluation to quantify the produced network traffic.

A multiuser groupware calendar system based on agent tools and technology

In this paper MATT, a groupware calendar system (GCS), is presented. The MATT system provides users with a shared calendar service by preserving the right to the privacy and also by presenting features for arranging meetings automatically. The core of the proposed GCS system is a multiagent infrastructure. The shared calendar is managed automatically as well as the process of arranging meeting resulting in an effective tool. An advanced network management system allows MATT to be functional regardless if the connection is present or not

A task allocation middleware targeting an RFID-enhanced environment

This paper presents a middleware for managing task allocation to agents (humans, robots, or software artifacts) operating in environments equipped with RFID technology. The system uses workflows and task decomposition techniques for preparing a task plan, and exploits the RFID technology for distributing and deploying the tasks within the environment. RFID tags are used for both labeling relevant objects and modeling the physical environment as a graph of deployed RFID tag nodes. The acquisition of new tasks and their distribution take place by means of the proposed infrastructure.

An Agent Service Grid for Supporting Open and Distance Learning

This chapter describes ExpertGrid, a software infrastructure for the development of decision support tools to train crisis managers. The system handles a rich variety of realistic critical scenarios addressed by the trainees, who, by means of the system, will develop effective countermeasures. ExpertGrid is based on agent oriented technology to be dynamic, flexible, and open, and it relies on a distributed computing grid to support large scale scenario computations and incorporate a larger body of knowledge. This contribution presents the design of the system together with its prototypal implementation and initial results.

A Distributed Service-Based Software Infrastructure for Trip Planning in Motorway Auto-routes Context

This paper presents TRIPLAN, a distributed service-based software architecture providing the European travellers, who are planning their journeys, with high quality information in order to make them taking decisions about trip planning, by taking into account both predicted traffic conditions and real time ones. The TRIPLAN architecture is solution based on the following criteria: use state-of-the-art and innovative methodologies and techniques; exploiting the available information for providing more effective advices; enforcing standards for information exchange and cooperation among different systems in TERN; assessment and continuous upgrade of a knowledge base on traffic conditions; provide a set of architectural guidelines for a service information network. The focus of the work presented in this paper is the design of the SW architecture for providing via Web a traffic planning service based on an integrated informative system.