Online mechanism design (OMD) addresses the problem of sequential decision making in a stochastic environment with multiple self-interested agents. The goal in OMD is to make value-maximizing decisions despite this self-interest. In previous work we presented a Markov decision process (MDP)-based approach to OMD in large-scale problem domains. In practice the underlying MDP needed to solve OMD is too large and hence the mechanism must consider approximations. This raises the possibility that agents may be able to exploit the approximation for selfish gain. We adopt sparse-sampling-based MDP algorithms to implement ɛ- efficient policies, and retain truth-revelation as an approximate Bayesian-Nash equilibrium. Our approach is empirically illustrated in the context of the dynamic allocation of WiFi connectivity to users in a coffeehouse.

Online mechanism design (OMD) addresses the problem of sequential decision making in a stochastic environment with multiple self-interested agents. The goal in OMD is to make value-maximizing decisions despite this self-interest. In previous work we presented a Markov decision process (MDP)-basedapproach to OMD in large-scale problem domains. In practice the underlying MDP needed to solve OMD is too large and hence the mechanism must consider approximations. This raises the possibility thatagents may be able to exploit the approximation for selfish gain. We adopt sparse-sampling-based MDP algorithms to implement ɛ- efficient policies, and retain truth-revelation as an approximate Bayesian-Nash equilibrium. Our approach is empirically illustrated in the context of the dynamic allocation of WiFi connectivity to users in a coffeehouse.

Online mechanism design (MD) considers the problem of providing incentives to implement desired system-wide outcomes in systems with self-interested agents that arrive and depart dynamically. Agents can choose to misrepresent their arrival and departure times, in addition to information about their value for different outcomes. We consider the problem of maximizing the total longterm value of the system despite the self-interest of agents. The online MD problem induces a Markov Decision Process (MDP), which when solved can be used to implement optimal policies in a truth-revealing Bayesian-Nash equilibrium.

Online mechanism design (MD) considers the problem of providing incentives to implement desired system-wide outcomes in systems with self-interested agents that arrive and depart dynamically. Agents can choose to misrepresent their arrival and departure times, in addition to information about their value for different outcomes. We consider the problem of maximizing the total longterm value of the system despite the self-interest of agents. The online MD problem induces a Markov Decision Process (MDP), which when solved can be used to implement optimal policies in a truth-revealing Bayesian-Nash equilibrium.

Online mechanism design (MD) considers the problem of providing incentivesto implement desired system-wide outcomes in systems withself-interested agents that arrive and depart dynamically. Agentscan choose to misrepresent their arrival and departure times, in addition to information about their value for different outcomes. We consider the problem of maximizing the total longterm valueof the system despite the self-interest of agents. The online MD problem induces a Markov Decision Process (MDP), which when solved can be used to implement optimal policies in a truth-revealing Bayesian-Nash equilibrium.

Population-based Incremental Learning is shown require very sensitive scaling of its learning rate. The learning rate must scale with the system size in a problem-dependent way. This is shown in two problems: the needle-in-a haystack, in which the learning rate must vanish exponentially in the system size, and in a smooth function in which the learning rate must vanish like the square root of the system size. Two methods are proposed for removing this sensitivity. A learning dynamics which obeys detailed balance is shown to give consistent performance over the entire range of learning rates. An analog of mutation is shown to require a learning rate which scales as the inverse system size, but is problem independent.

Population-based Incremental Learning is shown require very sensitive scaling of its learning rate. The learning rate must scale with the system size in a problem-dependent way. This is shown in two problems: the needle-in-a haystack, in which the learning rate must vanish exponentially in the system size, and in a smooth function in which the learning rate must vanish like the square root of the system size. Two methods are proposed for removing this sensitivity. A learning dynamics which obeys detailed balance is shown to give consistent performance over the entire range of learning rates. An analog of mutation is shown to require a learning rate which scales as the inverse system size, but is problem independent.

Population-based Incremental Learning is shown require very sensitive scalingof its learning rate. The learning rate must scale with the system size in a problem-dependent way. This is shown in two problems: the needle-in-a haystack, in which the learning rate must vanish exponentially in the system size, and in a smooth function in which the learning rate must vanish like the square root of the system size. Two methods are proposed for removing this sensitivity. Alearning dynamics which obeys detailed balance is shown to give consistent performance over the entire range of learning rates. An analog of mutation is shown to require a learning rate which scales as the inverse system size, but is problem independent.

The automotive industry was the first to promote the development of applications of model-based systems technology on a broad scale and, as a result, has produced some of the most advanced prototypes and products. In this article, we illustrate the features and benefits of model-based systems and qualitative modeling by prototypes and application systems that were developed in the automotive industry to support on-board diagnosis, design for diagnosability, and failure modes and effects analysis.

Complex electro-mechanical products, such as high-end printers and photocopiers, are designed as families, with reusable modules put together in different manufacturable configurations, and the ability to add new modules in the field. The modules are controlled locally by software that must take into account the entire configuration. This poses two problems for the manufacturer. This has become an accepted part of the practice of Xerox, and the control software is deployed in high-end Xerox printers.