Determining Whether a Device Can Perform an Action

A computer implemented method for determining, in coordination with a second device, whether a first device can perform a first action, the method comprising:

• sending a first message to the second device, wherein the first message comprises the following:
• an indication of the first action to be performed by the first device, and a first time interval indicating when the first action is to be performed;
• and
• receiving a second message from the second device according to an argumentation protocol defined between the first device and the second device, wherein the second message comprises the following:
• a first response related to whether the first device can perform the first action, and a second time interval in which the first response is applicable;
• and
• wherein the first response is valid according to the argumentation protocol if the second time interval overlaps the first time interval.

A computer implemented method for determining, in coordination with a first device, whether the first device can perform a first action, the method comprising:

• receiving a first message from the first device, wherein the first message comprises the following:
• an indication of the first action to be performed by the first device, and a first time interval indicating when the first action is to be performed;
• and
• sending a second message to the first device according to an argumentation protocol defined between the first device and the second device, wherein the second message comprises the following:
• a first response related to whether the first device can perform the first action, and a second time interval in which the first response is applicable,
• wherein the first response is valid according to the argumentation protocol if the second time interval overlaps the first time interval.

A method in a computing system comprising a digital twin of a first device and a digital twin of a second device, wherein the method is for determining, in coordination with the digital twin of the second device, whether the first device can perform a first action, the method comprising:

• the digital twin of the first device sending a first message to the digital twin of the second device, wherein the first message comprises i) an indication of the first action to be performed by the first device and ii) a first time interval indicating when the first action is to be performed;
• and
• the digital twin of the second device, responsive to receiving the first message, sending a second message to the digital twin of the first device according to an argumentation protocol defined between the first device and the second device, wherein the second message comprises i) a first response related to whether the first device can perform the first action, and ii) a second time interval in which the first response is applicable;
• and
• wherein the first response is valid according to the argumentation protocol if the second time interval overlaps the first time interval.