Negotiation by abduction and relaxation

ABSTRACT

This paper studies a logical framework for automated negotiation between two agents. We suppose an agent who has a knowledge base represented by a logic program. Then, we introduce methods of constructing counter-proposals in response to proposals made by an agent. To this end, we combine the techniques of extended abduction in artificial intelligence and relaxation in cooperative query answering for databases. These techniques are respectively used for producing conditional proposals and neighborhood proposals in the process of negotiation. We provide a negotiation protocol based on the exchange of these proposals and develop procedures for computing new proposals.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  F. Theory of Computation
  F.4 MATHEMATICAL LOGIC AND FORMAL LANGUAGES
      F.4.1 Mathematical Logic

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
        I.2.11 Distributed Artificial Intelligence

General Terms:
Theory

Keywords:
extended abduction, logic programming, negotiation, relaxation