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Instances being executed by JADE are called containers, and one container stores
several agents. A platform consists of multiple containers, and agents can be moved to
different containers on the same platform. In addition, it is possible to communicate
with an agent that exists in another platform by using the agent communication
function. The container where JADE first creates an agent is called the main container.
The main container has a function to manage all containers and agents that exist on
the platform, and a function to find agents that exist on the platform.
20.3.5 Basic Part Agent Function
A part agent holds the information of the managed parts and the IP address of the
computer where the agent exists. In order to realize the plan of the part agent, the
necessary functions were defined and implemented as follows:
(1) Movement of a part agent
An agent needs to move in the network with the managed parts. This is the basic
function of the part agent. It moves by obtaining the IP address of the computer
where the part is transferred.
(2) Trace of the managed part
A part agent on the network traces the target management part. The part agent
must exist in the container where the corresponding real part is located, so the
part and the agent must be associated. The same part ID as the RFID tag attached
to the control part is assigned at the time of generation, and it is compared with
the part ID read from the RFID tag when the part is moved.
(3) Check of product status
For a part agent to make an appropriate proposal to the consumer, it is necessary
for the agent to know the state of the corresponding part. To realize this function,
a part agent has the ability to record the state of products and parts. Based on
this information, the agent takes appropriate action for the situation.
(4) Communication between agents
A part agent communicates with other agent the operation history and deterioration information of the managed parts. Using this function, parts can be
managed and performance can be evaluated based on the state of the parts.
20.4 Expansion of Life Cycle of Part
In the real world, parts move through life cycle sites such as Production site, Assembly
site, Market site, Use site, Maintenance site, and Disposal site. Part agents follow
these parts and move over the network. A part agent makes the correspondence
between a life cycle stage such as use, repair, replacement, and disposal and one of
these life cycle sites. A part agent also provides the user with information appropriate
to the life cycle stage and encourages appropriate maintenance action.
Y. Fukazawa et al.
Instances being executed by JADE are called containers, and one container stores
several agents. A platform consists of multiple containers, and agents can be moved to
different containers on the same platform. In addition, it is possible to communicate
with an agent that exists in another platform by using the agent communication
function. The container where JADE first creates an agent is called the main container.
The main container has a function to manage all containers and agents that exist on
the platform, and a function to find agents that exist on the platform.
20.3.5 Basic Part Agent Function
A part agent holds the information of the managed parts and the IP address of the
computer where the agent exists. In order to realize the plan of the part agent, the
necessary functions were defined and implemented as follows:
(1) Movement of a part agent
An agent needs to move in the network with the managed parts. This is the basic
function of the part agent. It moves by obtaining the IP address of the computer
where the part is transferred.
(2) Trace of the managed part
A part agent on the network traces the target management part. The part agent
must exist in the container where the corresponding real part is located, so the
part and the agent must be associated. The same part ID as the RFID tag attached
to the control part is assigned at the time of generation, and it is compared with
the part ID read from the RFID tag when the part is moved.
(3) Check of product status
For a part agent to make an appropriate proposal to the consumer, it is necessary
for the agent to know the state of the corresponding part. To realize this function,
a part agent has the ability to record the state of products and parts. Based on
this information, the agent takes appropriate action for the situation.
(4) Communication between agents
A part agent communicates with other agent the operation history and deterioration information of the managed parts. Using this function, parts can be
managed and performance can be evaluated based on the state of the parts.
20.4 Expansion of Life Cycle of Part
In the real world, parts move through life cycle sites such as Production site, Assembly
site, Market site, Use site, Maintenance site, and Disposal site. Part agents follow
these parts and move over the network. A part agent makes the correspondence
between a life cycle stage such as use, repair, replacement, and disposal and one of
these life cycle sites. A part agent also provides the user with information appropriate
to the life cycle stage and encourages appropriate maintenance action.