Method and apparatus for controlling the movement of a plurality of agents

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the field of controlling movement for large groups of agents.
The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications.
Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments.
Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In order to provide a working frame of reference, first a glossary of terms used in the description and claims is given as a central resource for the reader.
Next, a brief introduction is provided in the form of a narrative description of the present invention to give a conceptual understanding prior to developing the specific details.
Glossary Before describing the specific details of the present invention, it is useful to provide a centralized location in which various terms used herein and in the claims.
Agent--As described herein, the term agent indicates a unit comprising, in its most general sense, a processor, a means for detecting distance and direction, and a memory.
The agent can also include one or more means for movement and one or more sensors.
In more tangible terms, the agent could, for example, be a robot with an infrared transmitter/receiver and a set of wheels, where the infrared transmitter/receiver is used to gage the distances and directions between the robot and other robots.
In a more complicated situation, the same robot could also include an antenna for sending and receiving radio communications, a group of sensors for sensing various aspects of the environment (such as temperature, visibility, etc.
), and alternate movement means such as wings and a propeller for flying, etc