US 6851115

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 6851115:

US Patent 6851115: Software-based architecture for communication and cooperation among distributed electronic agents

• Title: Software-based architecture for communication and cooperation among distributed electronic agents
• Current Assignee: IPA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
• Inventors: Adam J. Cheyer, David L. Martin
• Filing Date: 1999-01-05
• Issue Date (Publication Date): 2005-02-01
• Abstract: A highly flexible, software-based architecture is disclosed for constructing distributed systems. The architecture supports cooperative task completion by flexible and autonomous electronic agents. One or more facilitators are used to broker communication and cooperation among the agents. The architecture provides for the construction of arbitrarily complex goals by users and service-requesting agents. Additional features include agent-based provision of multi modal interfaces, including natural language.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent US6851115 contains multiple independent claims. Here's an overview of a few of them (the full patent document would need to be reviewed for an exhaustive list and complete understanding of all independent claims):

Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a distributed agent system for completing tasks. It involves multiple agents and at least one facilitator agent. Each agent registers its capabilities with the facilitator. When an agent (or user) requests a service, the request is sent to the facilitator as an Interagent Communication Language (ICL) expression. The facilitator then interprets this request, creates a plan to satisfy the goal, and delegates sub-goals to appropriate agents based on their registered capabilities. The facilitator also coordinates the communication between agents to achieve the overall goal. This system emphasizes that the requesting agent doesn't need to know the specific identities, locations, or number of other agents involved in fulfilling the request.

Independent Claim 13: This claim focuses on a method for processing a goal in a distributed agent system. It starts with a client agent determining a goal, translating it into an ICL expression, and transmitting it to a facilitator agent. The facilitator receives and interprets this goal, constructs a goal satisfaction plan, identifies sub-goals, and selects suitable agents to perform them. The facilitator then transmits these sub-goal requests to the selected agents and receives their results.

Independent Claim 18: This claim details an interagent communication language (ICL) for use in a distributed agent system. The ICL allows agents to express goals, capabilities, and other information. It is designed to be shared by all agents regardless of their platform or programming language. A key aspect is the ability to specify explicit control parameters while also allowing for underspecified, loosely constrained goal expressions. The ICL supports queries, actions, information exchange, setting triggers, and manipulating data within the agent community.

Independent Claim 25: This claim describes a method for registering agents and their capabilities with a facilitator. It involves an agent registering a specification of its capabilities and services with a facilitator, where these capabilities are expressed in an interagent communication language (ICL). This registration makes the agent's functionality available to the agent community and allows the facilitator to delegate service requests to it. The capabilities can be added, removed, or modified by the agent at any time after connecting to its facilitator.

Independent Claim 35: This claim outlines a system comprising an agent library and a facilitator agent. The agent library provides infrastructure for constructing an agent-based system, including procedures for agents to declare, undeclare, and redeclare their capabilities (solvables). It also provides procedures for updating data solvables and managing triggers. The facilitator agent coordinates agent communications and cooperative problem-solving, utilizing the information registered by agents through the agent library.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

As of April 26, 2026, I do not have authoritative information on specific CAFC 2026 dockets related to patent 6851115. The provided patent information indicates that there have been several CAFC cases filed in previous years (e.g., 21-1416, 21-1413, 24-1246, etc.), but no specific dockets for 2026 are listed in the provided data. Therefore, I cannot confirm any active litigation for this patent in CAFC dockets for the year 2026 at this time.