Integrated architecture for distributed cooperative processing

We propose an architecture for integrating functions of distributed cooperative processing (DCP). This architecture is a basic technique for constructing a distributed collaboration infrastructure (DCI). First, we define a conceptual model for distributed cooperation. The model is composed of 3 elements: 1) task agent for cooperative processing; 2) task field for providing an environment for communication and cooperation among task agents; and 3) cooperation methods for processing tasks. Then we present an overview of design and implementation about the cooperation server for managing cooperation and distributed cooperative API (application program interface) for communicating on a network. This architecture allows us to efficiently integrate functions of several systems with different program interfaces. In order to show the efficiency of this architecture, we have experimentally applied it to a human interface system for an oil refinery plant. The evaluation results of this experimental system are also discussed