Exhaustive swarming search strategy using distributed pheromone maps
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorCharles A. Erignac
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and systems for using agents to perform an operation (e.g., a search) over a geographic area are provided. The system can first create a digital map of the geographic region divided into cells that contain information about the progress of an operation related to the geographic region. Next, the system can calculate a distance gradient of the digital map. The distance gradient indicates the distance from cells of the digital map to the nearest unoperated cell. The system can determine the next move for each agent based on the distance gradient. Also described are methods and systems for efficiently exchanging digital map information among agents and for distributing agents to increase network coverage and decrease agent crowding.
Claims15
A system for performing an operation related to a geographic area, comprising:
- a digital map component that maintains a digital map of the geographic area wherein the digital map is divided into cells that contain information about the progress of an operation related to the geographic area;
- a distance gradient component that calculates a distance gradient of the map wherein the gradient indicates the distance from each cell of the digital map to the nearest unoperated cell, the unoperated cell being a cell on which the operation has not been completed;
- and
- an operation component that selects the next move for an agent based on the distance gradient.
A method in a computer system for performing an operation related to a geographic area, comprising:
- maintaining a digital map of the geographic region wherein the digital map is divided into cells that contain information about the progress of an operation related to the geographic region;
- calculating a distance gradient of the map wherein the gradient indicates the distance from each cell of the digital map to the nearest unoperated cell, the unoperated cell being a cell on which the operation has not been completed;
- and
- determining the next move for an agent based on the distance gradient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.