Abstract: A planning means generates a plan to be executed by agents on a node. In the case where the plan generated uses an uncertain knowledge required to be processed in other nodes, a judging means judges the communication line connecting the node and a network is low or high in reliability. In the case where the reliability of the communication line is low, an agent management unit moves the agent for executing the plan to another node for processing the uncertain knowledge. In the case where the reliability of the communication line is high, on the other hand, a cooperation protocol realization means requests an agent on another node to process the uncertain knowledge. An agent execution means executes the plan generated.

Abstract: A planning means generates a plan to be executed by agents on a node. In the case where the plan generated uses an uncertain knowledge required to be processed in other nodes, a judging means judges the communication line connecting the node and a network is low or high in reliability. In the case where the reliability of the communication line is low, an agent management unit moves the agent for executing the plan to another node for processing the uncertain knowledge. In the case where the reliability of the communication line is high, on the other hand, a cooperation protocol realization means requests an agent on another node to process the uncertain knowledge. An agent execution means executes the plan generated.

Abstract: A system smoothly performing information processing is realized by dynamically making a decision, when it becomes necessary for an agent currently located at a platform to make use of another platform, with regard to whether to cause the agent to move to the other platform or cause the agent to cooperate with another agent that exists at the other platform. The dynamic decision is made in response to situations, resulting in enabling the unified utilization of mobile and stationary agents. The decision of using either movement or cooperation is typically made based on platform information and agent information. Even if planning changes the plan of an agent and regardless of what agent is using which platform's resources, it is possible to easily establish whether movement or cooperation is to be used, based on the platform profile and agent attributes. Such a system can perform information processing in response to changing situations.

Abstract: A planning section generates a plan to be executed by agents on a node. In the case where the plan generated uses an uncertain knowledge required to be processed in other nodes, a judging section judges the communication line connecting the node and a network is low or high in reliability. In the case where the reliability of the communication line is low, an agent management unit moves the agent for executing the plan to another node for processing the uncertain knowledge. In the case where the reliability of the communication line is high, on the other hand, a cooperation protocol realization section requests an agent on another node to process the uncertain knowledge. An agent execution means executes the plan generated.

Abstract: A system smoothly performing information processing is realized by dynamically making a decision, when it becomes necessary for an agent currently located at a platform to make use of another platform, with regard to whether to cause the agent to move to the other platform or cause the agent to cooperate with another agent that exists at the other platform. The dynamic decision is made in response to situations, resulting in enabling the unified utilization of mobile and stationary agents. The decision of using either movement or cooperation is typically made based on platform information and agent information. Even if planning changes the plan of an agent and regardless of what agent is using which platform's resources, it is possible to easily establish whether movement or cooperation is to be used, based on the platform profile and agent attributes. Such a system can perform information processing in response to changing situations.

Abstract: A software component library management system is provided, which can effectively support both a component utilization user and a component management user in carrying out their business tasks. The component management tool 6 includes a component retrieve/pickup function unit 10 and a component administration/registration function unit 20. The component administration/registration function unit 20 is adapted to make registrations of attribute information on software components stored in the component database 5, such as relation information items representing relations between the software component and other software components. The component retrieve/pickup function unit 10 can retrieve and pickup a batch of software components related to a specific software component, based on the relation information items.

Abstract: A system smoothly performing information processing is realized by dynamically making a decision, when it becomes necessary for an agent currently located at a platform to make use of another platform, with regard to whether to cause the agent to move to the other platform or cause the agent to cooperate with another agent that exists at the other platform. The dynamic decision is made in response to situations, resulting in enabling the unified utilization of mobile and stationary agents. The decision of using either movement or cooperation is typically made based on platform information and agent information. Even if planning changes the plan of an agent and regardless of what agent is using which platform's resources, it is possible to easily establish whether movement or cooperation is to be used, based on the platform profile and agent attributes. Such a system can perform information processing in response to changing situations.

Abstract: In a data-processing apparatus, in local information storage L and R at each node, local information for the purpose of accessing a constituent element is stored, this information being updated. A plan is generated that represents the action that should be taken by an agent in order to satisfy request code that has been input, this being generated as a set of actions, based on agent information and local information. The operation of the agent is implemented at the nodes L and R, based on the various actions that make up the thus-generated plan, and an agent is migrated to another node, based on a go action within the plan. It is possible to perform replanning and generation of a child agent at a migration destination node, if necessary, because of the failure of plan execution, for example.

Abstract: This invention provides a technology for using a plurality of databases each having dissimilar data structure with each other. A user specified, on a portable terminal P, a search condition based on a global ontology G, a list of data items common to the plurality of databases. An agent A is sent from an agent launcher L to a connection node S. In the connection node S, data used as a table or a dictionary containing information on a correspondence between the global ontology G and each of the databases is provided. A search condition based on the global ontology G is translated based on the data to a format compatible with the structure of each database. The agent A, with the translated search condition, moves to a node where each database is located, transfers the search result obtained at each node, and then returns to the connection node S.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for setting a copying magnification in an electrophotographic copying apparatus. The device comprises means for manually inputting a numerical value, a plurality of memory means, selection key means for selecting one from the plurality of memory means and control means for memorizing a numerical value input by the numerical value input means in said one of memory means selected by the selection key means, so that the copying apparatus operates to set a copying magnification by numerical value memorized in said one of memory means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of providing various copy ratios includes an original table that can receive an original document from an image carrier. The original is then illuminated, and a focusing lens system is capable of focusing reflected light from the original document onto a photosensitive member. The focusing lens system is movable. A drive assembly can cause relative movement of the original and a light system for illuminating the original, while a second drive member can vary the distance from the original to the focusing lens system whereby the image stays within the fixed focal length of the optical system while accommodating the speed necessary for a specified copy ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for setting a copying magnification in an electrophotographic copying apapratus. The device comprises means for manually inputting a numerical value, a plurality of memory means, selection key means for selecting one from the plurality of memory means and control means for memorizing a numerical value input by the numerical value input means in said one of memory means selected by the selection key means, so that the copying apparatus operates to set a copying magnification by a numerical value memorized in said one of memory means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for setting a copying magnification in an electrophotographic copying apparatus. The device comprises means for manually inputting a numerical value, a plurality of memory means, selection key means for selecting one from the plurality of memory means and control means for memorizing a numerical value input by the numerical value input means in said one of memory means selected by the selection key means, so that the copying apparatus operates to set a copying magnification by a numerical value memorized in said one of memory means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for setting a copying magnification in an electrophotographic copying apparatus. The device comprises means for manually inputting a numerical value, a plurality of memory means, selection key means for selecting one from the plurality of memory means and control means for memorizing a numerical value input by the numerical value input means in said one of memory means selected by the selection key means, so that the copying apparatus operates to set a copying magnification by a numerical value memorized in said one of memory means.

Abstract: A copying machine capable of operating in the divisional copying mode in which first and second documents, such as the successive pages of an open book, placed on the contact glass are copied on different recording medium surfaces, respectively. The copying machine is provided with copying condition setting means capable of individually setting different copying conditions, such as copied image density, for the first and second documents, respectively. The first document and the second document are scanned under the copying condition set for the first document and under the copying condition set for the second document, respectively, and the first and second documents are copied on different recording medium surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A copying machine having the capability of reproducing an image at different magnifications from either a stored or calculated magnification ratio is provided. The size of the original and the size of the various copying papers available are calculated to determine an optimum magnification ratio. A preset value of optical magnification ratios can be provided within the copying machine. A controller can determine whether the calculated magnification ratio can be utilized within the preset predetermined range of values and the corresponding control of the copier machine can be effected in accordance with that decision.

Abstract: An improved copying magnification capacity is provided to an electrophotographic copying apparatus. The copier has a numeric data display that can disclose numeric data that can be manually input into the machine. The numeric data can be stored in a memory as a predetermined copying magnification value. The copier has the capability of establishing a copying magnification value that can be easily adjusted when the magnification of an actually obtained copy deviates from an established desired value. The stored numeric value can be used in the control for setting a magnification value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a control apparatus for copying machines or the like which have a function of autoresetting operating conditions for the machine to standard conditions upon lapse of a specified period time after the completion of operation of the machine or after a predetermined input procedure and is operable with a key device associated with the machine for permitting the operation of the machine, wherein the control apparatus effects the autoresetting function to immediately reset the operating conditions to the standard conditions when the machine has been brought out of the operation permitted state by the key device, irrespective of lapse of the specified period of time for the autoresetting. When the user withdraws the key device from the machine, the operating conditions change to the standard conditions, thereby efficiently preventing the objection that the machine will subsequently operate under the conditions undesired by the next user.

Abstract: A copying machine having the capability of reproducing an image at different magnifications from either a stored or calculated magnification ratio is provided. The size of the original and the size of the various copying papers available are calculated to determine an optimum magnification ratio. A preset value of optical magnification ratios can be provided within the copying machine. A controller can determined whether the calculated magnification ratio can be utilized within the preset predetermined range of values and corresponding control of the copier machine can be effected in accordance with that decision.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image density control apparatus for copying machines in which an area of a pattern image that is formed by projecting a reference pattern through an optical system is limited to a constant area irrespective of the copy magnification. Then the pattern image is developed and its toner density is detected to serve for controlling the image density. Accordingly, the image density is controlled with accuracy, irrespective of the copy magnification.