AUTOPOIETIC NETWORK SYSTEM ENDOWED WITH DISTRIBUTED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE SUPPLY OF HIGH VOLUME HIGH-SPEED MULTIMEDIA TELESTHESIA TELEMETRY, TELEKINESIS, TELEPRESENCE, TELEMANAGEMENT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA PROCESSING SERVICES

• US 6,553,355 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Indranet Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Indranet Technologies Limited
• Inventors: McGregor, Andrew Drummond, Arnoux, Louis Auguste
• Primary Examiner(s): STARKS, WILBERT L
• Application Number:
  US09/134,074
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 706/13, 709/202
• US Class Current: 706/13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An autopoietic network is described. The network system has distributed artificial intelligence and may be used to supply high volume, high speed, multi media, telesthesia, telemetry, telekinesis, telepresence, telemanagement, telecommunications and data processing services. The invention is implemented by means of a non-hierarchical network having a fractal structure. That is, the system is structured as a network of networks that may individually display self-similar characteristics at all levels of aggregation at which they are considered. The system and its constituent networks are structurally coupled with their environment through hermeneutic processes. These processes are not based on, and do not use, a priori representations of their environment or of the networks themselves. The system includes a number of cybernetic devices which are adapted to function as both the infrastructure of the network and the means by which the network services are delivered to network users. These cybernetic devices communicate with other cybernetic devices in such a manner so that the network is in the form of a fractal, non-hierarchical mesh which is self-similar. The cybernetic devices may be particularly adapted to supervise or “mind” one or more other cybernetic devices functioning at a lower level of aggregation or complexity. The supervised cybernetic devices may be clustered or distributed in space and be associated with machines, systems or people. The functionality provided by the network includes provision of communications for data, voice, videophoney, video-on-demand, entertainment, security, educational services, health care, premises management, energy supply and management, banking and similar purposes.

Claims

1. An autopoietic networked communication, control and network and/or environmental management system, comprising:

a plurality of cybernetic devices, each device adapted to communicate with other cybernetic devices in a networked system;

processing means located on selected devices for controlling said devices, the operation of the processing means is governed by a library of algorithms which includes a plurality of algorithms defining predetermined functions which mediate local and remote activities of the networked system wherein the library of algorithms is stored in media readable by the processing means included within selected devices in the networked system and distributed according to the functional requirements of at least part of the networked system;

a plurality of sensing means adapted to sense parameters related to an environment in which the activities occur and output environmental data representative of the environment to corresponding devices, wherein the processing means is programmed to control the activities of the networked system through selection and execution of said algorithms and wherein the selection process occurs in a hermeneutic fashion according to iterative heuristic sequences which are dependent on said environmental data and wherein the result of the selection is dependent on satisfaction of set criteria.

2. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cybernetic devices are adapted to operate in relation to a group of cybernetic devices with which they are associated in conjunction with facilitating communications from and to other cybernetic devices.

3. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one supervisory cybernetic device having higher processing abilities than at least one supervised cybernetic device located within a group of cybernetic devices with which the supervisory cybernetic device is adapted to communicate with in use, wherein the library of algorithms includes algorithms to cause any of the supervised cybernetic devices to request the use of processing abilities from the supervisory cybernetic device when the activities of the network require the supervised cybernetic device to perform processing abilities beyond its capabilities to perform within the criteria in one of isolation and in conjunction with other supervised cybernetic devices with which it is in communication.

4. A networked system as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least selected cybernetic devices are adapted to supervise at least one of implements, machines, systems, animals, and persons.

5. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heuristic sequences include a process of selecting environmental data as being relevant for specific activities by reference to corresponding set criteria, the criteria being governed by an iterative selection process that satisfies the set criteria.

6. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, wherein selected processing means control the activities of the network using a stochastic process model to induce variations in the activities and the operation of the system is experiential, storing variations of activities that best satisfy the set criteria for future reference.

7. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, wherein topology of the network of devices is self similar at at least some levels of aggregation at which the system is considered, so that the system displays fractal characteristics for being structured as a network of networks that individually display self similar characteristics.

8. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means is programmed to integrate environmental data obtained from at least one sensing means to create integrated data and wherein the selection process is at least partly dependent on the integrated data.

9. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system adapts to changes in its environment in a manner that is proscriptive and specifies non-allowed behavior of the system, thereby allowing the system to behave in any manner that is not proscribed.

10. A networked system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

communication means for communication between said cybernetic devices, said communication means includes wireless network hardware.

11. An autopoietic network communication, control, and network and/or environmental management system comprising:

a plurality of cybernetic devices, wherein topology of the network is fractal in nature.

12. An autopoietic network system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the cybernetic devices are adapted to function as both infrastructure of the network itself and means by which network services are delivered to network users;

the cybernetic devices are further adapted to communicate with other cybernetic devices so that the network is in the form of a fractal and at least partially non-hierarchical mesh; and

the mesh having a structure, at a specified degree of aggregation, which is substantially similar to that at any other degree of aggregation at which the fractal mesh is considered.

13. An autopoietic network system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cybernetic devices are adapted to operate in relation to a group of cybernetic devices with which they are associated, in conjunction with facilitating communications from and to other cybernetic devices.

14. An autopoietic network system as claimed in claim 11, wherein selected cybernetic devices are adapted to supervise at least one of the plurality of cybernetic devices functioning at a lower level of aggregation and wherein the supervised cybernetic device is functionally clustered.

15. An autopoietic network system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

at each level of aggregation, member sub-networks within the fractal topology display operational closure in relation to other member sub-networks;

the mode of operation of selected cybernetic devices within each sub-network is primarily that of distributed non-symbolic forms of processing;

interactions between member sub-networks occur though symbolic information exchange and processing; and

the sub-networks themselves display operation closure in relation to their environments.

16. An autopoietic network system as claimed in claim 15, wherein at all the levels of aggregation, the autopoietic system displays a dual structure with at least some of its internal organization being intimately related to local activities through local apparati, whilst the overall system is non-local in its logic of operation.

17. A cybernetic device adapted to communicate with other devices through at least one communication channel in an autopoietic networked communication, control, and network and/or environmental management system, the cybernetic device comprising:

processing means for controlling the cybernetic device, the operation of the processing means governed by a library of algorithms which includes a plurality of algorithms and instructions for at least one of reconfigurable and programmable hardware elements, said algorithms and instructions defining predetermined functions which mediate local and remote activities of the networked system wherein the processing means is programmed to control the activities of the device through selection and execution of said algorithms and wherein the selection process is executed in a hermeneutic fashion according to iterative heuristic sequences which are dependent on environmental data supplied to the device and wherein the result of the selection is dependent on satisfaction of set criteria.

18. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the library of algorithms is stored in media that is readable and executable by the processing means to govern its operation, the media located within on of the cybernetic device, another cybernetic device, and another cybernetic device in communication with the cybernetic device through the networked system.

19. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cybernetic device is structurally coupled with its environment through hermeneutic processes wherein the cybernetic devices is not based on, and does not rely on a priori representations of its environment and itself including representations made by users and designers of the system about the state and nature of the system and its environment.

20. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cybernetic device is adapted to communicate with other cybernetic devices through electronic circuits that include at least one programmable element.

21. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one programmable element is adapted to produce as an output an intermediate frequency for wireless communication, wherein the choice of the intermediate frequency is determined by an evolution scheme governed by specific activities of the cybernetic device as part of the networked system.

22. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the processing means incorporates electronic circuits which include at least one programmable element.

23. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein the at least one programmable element includes a field programmable device.

24. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

memory means; and

location determination means.

25. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

output means for controlling the operation of at least one cybernetic device; and

input means for receiving instructions from the at least one cybernetic device.

26. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cybernetic device is connected to at least one ancillary device which includes one of a network computer, an inertial guidance device, and a non-GPS based guidance device.

27. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the processing means is programming using an evolution scheme which emulates Darwinian evolution by generating large numbers of solutions covering a plurality of possibilities within preset specifications relating to the environmental functionality of the cybernetic device and then selecting an optimal solution to serve as a seed parameter for subsequent iterations wherein the selection process is continued until a required outcome has been achieved relative to set operating criteria.

28. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the programming by the processing means includes variations on one of simulated annealing procedures and stochastic ensemble procedures.

29. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the evolution scheme is one of a first type and a second type, the first type selects a suitable modulation scheme and evolves an implementation wherein the transmitter and receiver designs are evolved separately, and the second type specifies a communication link model and evolves a transceiver design that satisfies design constraints of the model.

30. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first type of evolution scheme includes the use of a digital intermediate frequency.

31. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 27, 29, or 30, wherein the evolution scheme operates within design constraints including regulatory constraints including the bandwidth for a link that is required for specific applications.

32. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the evolution scheme further evolves a modulation scheme.

33. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the evolution scheme proceeds by a series of steps which are implemented by interactive means including one of genetic algorithms, simulated annealing algorithms, and back-propagation of errors.

34. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the genetic algorithms are of a class known as minimization algorithms and require a cost function and error metric to minimize wherein suitable cost functions include at least a bit error rate, consideration of out of bandwidth spectral components, and speed of transmission.

35. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the system is left free to evolve compression algorithms.

36. A cybernetic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the predetermined functions include provision of communications for data, voice, videophony, video-on-demand, entertainment, security, educational services, health-care services, premises management, energy supply trading and management, banking and electronic commerce.

37. A method of operating a cybernetic device within a networked system, the cybernetic device including a processing means, the method including the steps of:

providing a library of algorithms for controlling the cybernetic device which includes a plurality of instructions defining predetermined functions which mediate local and remote activities of the networked system wherein the library of algorithms is stored in computer media which is readable by the processing means; and

programming the processing means to control the activities of the device through selection and execution of the instructions and wherein the selection process is executed in a hermeneutic fashion according to iterative heuristic sequences which are dependent on environmental data supplied to the device and wherein the result of the selection is dependent on satisfaction of set criteria.

38. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the networked system includes a plurality of cybernetic devices, the method further including the step of causing the cybernetic device to communicate with the networked system wherein the processing means executes instructions within the library of algorithms which cause the cybernetic device to operate through co-operative interactions with the plurality of cybernetic devices within the networked system, co-operative interactions being defined as components of the networked system working together to carry out tasks without the interactions themselves being governed by hierarchical structure.

39. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 37, further including the step of providing a memory means and executing instructions in the processing means to cause the cybernetic device to retain in the memory means at least one result of the selection process that satisfies the set criteria and make the instructions available for future use by one of a plurality of cybernetic devices within the networked system.

40. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 39, further including the step of varying the operations of the cybernetic device using a stochastic process wherein the cybernetic device develops and evolves by selecting and retaining variations that better satisfy the set of criteria.

41. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 40 wherein the operation of the device is dependent on the result that best satisfies the set criteria as determined in co-operation with at least one of the plurality of cybernetic devices within the networked system, whereby the cybernetic device evolves in a co-dependent manner with at least one of the plurality of cybernetic devices.

42. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the instructions are developed and selected through proscriptive logic and methods of evolutive satisfaction.

43. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 37, further including the step of causing at least one of the cybernetic devices and the plurality of cybernetic devices to communicate with a network environment and providing instructions within the library of algorithms that cause the at least one of the cybernetic devices and the plurality of cybernetic devices to create transitory distributed software entities that reflect one of a state of the network environment at various levels of network aggregation and activities to which the network is to be put.

44. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 43 wherein said software entities are aggregated from selected instructions through an operational syntax that enable heuristic and hermeneutic sequences, structural coupling, operational closure, required network functionality and methods of proscriptive logic and evolutive satisfaction.

45. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 44 wherein the syntax corresponds to a set of logical rules that governs the gathering and aggregation of instructions to create transitory software entities and that translate, in any computer language capable of implementing the heuristic and hermeneutic sequences in local and remote manner, the logical operations of the network.

46. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the transitory software entities include instructions to selectively utilize resources of selected cybernetic devices in the networked system to achieve a required result through the co-operation amongst member components of the networked system at least one of such member components being cybernetic devices and related network software and networks of transitory software entities.

47. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the transitory software entities operate through heuristic hermeneutic sequences.

48. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the transitory software entities are designed to achieve operational closure of member networks and overall network, structural coupling of the member networks and overall network with their respective environments, co-operation among member networks and mediation between local and remote activities, including communications and other network functionality, through layered functionality.

49. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the transitory software entities are adapted to evolve through proscriptive logic and method of evolutive satisfaction.

50. A method of operating a cybernetic device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the cybernetic device is adapted to cause the network to operate by means of transitory software entities that are created as a result of requesting the network to perform any task, whereby the transitory software entities are comprised of groups of basic operational instructions and are evolutively created by prior such software entities from an original set of the operational instructions.