The contract net protocol: High-level communication and control in a distributed problem solver

"The contract net protocol has been developed to specify problem-solving communication and control for nodes in a distributed problem solver. Task distribution is affected by a negotiation process, a discussion carried on between nodes with tasks to be executed and nodes that may be able to execute those tasks. We present the specification of the protocol and demonstrate its use in the solution of a problem in distributed sensing. The utility of negotiation as an interaction mechanism is discussed. It can be used to achieve different goals, such as distributing control and data to avoid bottlenecks and enabling a finer degree of control in making resource allocation and focus decisions than is possible with traditional mechanisms." IEEE Transactions on Computers C-29(12):1104-1113. PDF: http://www.reidgsmith.com/The_Contract_Net_Protocol_Dec-1980.pdf.