A game-theoretic approach to integration of modules

This paper offers a new approach to integration of modules in an intelligent sensor system. Such a system requires that a set of modules-each doing a smaller portion of the overall task-be integrated within a unifying framework. From the perspective of computational systems, this problem holds a considerable interest because it is characterized by a set of coexisting mathematical objectives that need to be optimized simultaneously. In this sense, the design considerations necessitate the introduction of problem solving with multiple objectives. This paper explores these issues in the instance when each module is associated with a mathematical objective that is a function of the outputs of other modules. The integration problem is formulated and what is required of a good solution is presented. This examination interprets the decentralized mediation of conflicting subgoals as promoting a N-player game amongst the modules to be integrated and proposes a game-theoretic integration framework. We model the interaction among the modules as a noncooperative game and argue that this strategy leads to a framework in which the solutions correspond to a compromise decision. The application of this framework in image analysis motivates the hope that a framework such as game-theoretic integration will facilitate the development of general design principles for "modular" systems.