ISBN: 3540675965
TITLE: Distributed Constraint Satisfaction
AUTHOR: Yokoo, Makoto
TOC:

1. Constraint Satisfaction Problem 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Problem Definition 2
1.3 Algorithms for Solving CSPs 7
1.3.1 Backtracking 8
1.3.2 Iterative Improvement 15
1.3.3 Consistency Algorithms 16
1.4 Hybrid-Type Algorithm of Backtracking and Iterative Improvement 20
1.4.1 Weak-Commitment Search Algorithm 20
1.4.2 Example of Algorithm Execution 22
1.4.3 Evaluations 23
1.4.4 Algorithm Complexity 27
1.5 Analyzing Landscape of CSPs 28
1.5.1 Introduction 28
1.5.2 Hill-Climbing Algorithm 30
1.5.3 Analyzing State-Space 32
1.5.4 Discussions 37
1.6 Partial Constraint Satisfaction Problem 42
1.6.1 Introduction 42
1.6.2 Formalization 43
1.6.3 Algorithms 43
1.7 Summary 44
2. Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problem 47
2.1 Introduction 47
2.2 Problem Formalization 47
2.3 Application Problems 49
2.3.1 Recognition Problem 49
2.3.2 Allocation Problem 50
2.3.3 Multi-agent Truth Maintenance 53
2.3.4 Time-Tabling/Scheduling Tasks 53
2.4 Classification of Algorithms for Solving Distributed CSPs 54
2.5 Summary 54
3. Asynchronous Backtracking 55
3.1 Introduction 55
3.2 Assumptions 55
3.3 Simple Algorithms 56
3.3.1 Centralized Method 56
3.3.2 Synchronous Backtracking 57
3.4 Asynchronous Backtracking Algorithm 58
3.4.1 Overview 58
3.4.2 Characteristics of the Asynchronous Backtracking Algorithm 60
3.4.3 Example of Algorithm Execution 63
3.4.4 Algorithm Soundness and Completeness 64
3.5 Evaluations 66
3.6 Summary 68
4. Asynchronous Weak-Commitment Search 69
4.1 Introduction 69
4.2 Basic Ideas 70
4.3 Details of Algorithm 71
4.4 Example of Algorithm Execution 73
4.5 Algorithm Completeness 74
4.6 Evaluations 75
4.7 Summary 78
5. Distributed Breakout 81
5.1 Introduction 81
5.2 Breakout Algorithm 81
5.3 Basic Ideas 82
5.4 Details of Algorithm 84
5.5 Example of Algorithm Execution 85
5.6 Evaluations 87
5.7 Discussions 92
5.8 Summary 92
6. Distributed Consistency Algorithm 93
6.1 Introduction 93
6.2 Overview of Distributed ATMS 93
6.2.1 ATMS 93
6.2.2 Distributed ATMS 94
6.3 Distributed Consistency Algorithm Using Distributed ATMS 94
6.4 Example of Algorithm Execution 96
6.5 Evaluations 97
6.6 Summary 100
7. Handling Multiple Local Variables 101
7.1 Introduction 101
7.2 Agent-Prioritization Approach 102
7.3 Asynchronous Weak-Commitment Search with Multiple Local Variables 103
7.3.1 Basic Ideas 103
7.3.2 Details of Algorithm 104
7.3.3 Example of Algorithm Execution 104
7.4 Evaluations 107
7.5 Summary 110
8. Handling Over-Constrained Situations 113
8.1 Introduction 113
8.2 Problem Formalization 113
8.3 Distributed Maximal CSPs 114
8.3.1 Problem Formalization 114
8.3.2 Algorithms 115
8.3.3 Evaluations 120
8.4 Distributed Hierarchical CSPs 123
8.4.1 Problem Formalization 123
8.4.2 Asynchronous Incremental Relaxation 124
8.4.3 Example of Algorithm Execution 128
8.4.4 Algorithm Completeness 129
8.4.5 Evaluations 129
8.5 Summary 132
9. Summary and Future Issues 133
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