Distributed Object Technology Research Articles

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Design of prototype system for multi-agent supply chain information sharing benefit distribution management

As the international market environment changes more and more fierce, the potential for enterprises to improve their ability to adapt to market changes and improve their competitiveness will become smaller and smaller, and the difficulty will increase, such as product delivery speed, quality, cost and service. The level will obviously be constrained by the relationship between product manufacturers and suppliers of raw materials and components, product distributors, etc. More and more enterprises are beginning to effectively carry out internal management changes, and the traditional competitive relationship among enterprises gradually transforming into a new type of partnership. The supply chain plays an increasingly important role in the process of enterprise competition. High-level supply chain operation and management are the key to successful operation of the company. The supply chain is a complex system, which requires members to reduce the “bullwhip effect” through information sharing, to achieve decision synchronization, reduce inventory, and improve market response. Therefore, information sharing is an important part of supply chain research. The competition in the century is the competition between supply chains. The end-customer’s individualization of products, the increasing requirements for diversification, and the increasing uncertainty of the economic environment have prompted enterprises to pay more and more attention to the coordination of relations among members of the supply chain. The key to coordinate the supply chain is to realize information sharing. This paper proposes an architecture of agile supply chain management system based on the multi-agent information sharing under the guidance of self-organization theory. At the same time, the prototype of the supply chain management system was established by using web technology, distributed object technology (CORBA/DCOM) and related information resource organization and management technology.

Consideration Regarding the Configuration of the Resources and Modeling the Manufacturing Work Cell

This paper is presented the concept of developing a generic reference architecture model for the specification, development, control and reconfiguration of a manufacturing enterprise at a work cell level. It is described a generic system architecture for FMS; there is also briefly explained how to configure the different resource modules that actually control the tasks of the physical device and put together a work cell consisting of other FMS resources. Using the principles of distributed object technology there could be implemented each resource in the work cell as a distributed object. Finally, an example on building a FMS using a hierarchical approach is presented.

Distributed Customer Service Management for Internet of Things

It extends the network management mode of CSM, and offers a service-oriented management interface between customers and service providers. Extends some provider’s service management towards the customers and enables customers to monitor and control information about service-specific QoS parameters. Logical network, a hierarchical presentation of abstract network is presented; the definition, attribute, structure and computing method of the logic network is discussed. The presentation and access of CSM-MIB which is implemented using distributed objects is completed; by taking advantage of logical network, the abstract customized views of physical network is built and the management functionalities of agreement, assignment, performance monitoring and reporting of CSM are implemented. Practice in implementing CSM system indicates that it is a reasonable method to construct CSM system using distributed object technology. Service Management is a developing new network management paradigm. At current stage, the applied CSM target concentrates on IP connection service.

Web Service with Parallel Processing Capabilities for the Retrieval of CAD Assembly Data

Since CAD data is used as master data throughout the lifecycle of a product, it is important to provide a means for efficiently sharing CAD data among systems used for collaborative product development. Web Services, a type of distributed object technology, is adequate for this purpose; in a previous study [7], the authors proposed the architecture of Web Services for CAD (WSC) for the retrieval of CAD data. CAD data are classified into CAD assembly and part data. Since product design is typically modeled in the form of CAD assembly data, it is worth to consider this application when implementing a service for CAD data retrieval. In this study, the authors first propose a concept of parallel Web Service, which is an extension of WSC and whose goal is the rapid retrieval of CAD assembly data. They then discuss the technical details that can lead to its realization. Finally, experimental results regarding the performance of assembly data retrieval by the parallel Web Service are presented and compared with analogous performance by a single Web Service.

2A1-C15 RTミドルウェアを用いた屋内外実環境における対人追従モジュール

This paper aim at verification of the validity of the distributed object technology in robot development, and verification of the robust person following algorithm in indoor and outdoor real environment. We propose the technique for realizing person following robustly in real environment. The proposal method is the target person detection method which combined image processing which used update HS Histogram matching, and the LRF processing using nearest neighbor cluster search. We connected a person following module to SegwayRMP and Enon. We performed verification of operation in indoor real environment, in outdoor real environment, in real environment which moves to indoor from outdoor environment.

Remote multi‐robot monitoring and control system based on MMS and web services

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a service‐oriented distributed multi‐robot system based on manufacturing message specification (MMS) and new‐generation distributed object technology – web services for realizing remotely monitoring and controlling multiple heterogeneous robots in the internet environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study presents robot communication model and distributed multi‐robot monitoring and control software structure based on MMS and web services. In particular, monitoring and control software design of MMS concepts in web services environment using Unified Modeling Language model is discussed in detail. In addition, to verify the validity of the proposed design method, a multi‐robot prototype system for robot flexible assemble cell has been achieved. Its Server software is implemented in C++ with Visual Studio.NET being the development environment and Client software is programmed in Java with Borland JBuilder 9 being the development tool.FindingsFinds that the communication structure following MMS can make the multi‐robot monitoring and control system have perfect robustness, interoperability and reconfigurability. Besides, web services technology can conveniently realize MMS services, also can successfully resolve the remote multi‐robot monitoring and control problem among cross‐network, cross‐platform and heterogeneous systems.Research limitations/implicationsProvides an easy and low‐cost method for realizing heterogeneous multi‐robot remote driving. The web‐based distribution of the presented system is critical in enabling capabilities such as e‐manufacturing, e‐diagnostics and e‐maintenance.Practical implicationsThe proposed system can be seamlessly integrated into other automated manufacturing systems or management systems in plug‐and‐play fashion. The combination of MMS and web services is in favor of real manufacturing equipments being embedded in the network, so the presented systematic methodology can be a useful reference for constructing web‐based reconfigurable manufacturing systems.Originality/valueProvides robot communication model based on MMS and web services and presents service‐oriented distributed remote multi‐robot monitoring and control software architecture.

Secure Mobile Trade Agent

E-commerce on the internet has the ability to produce millions of transactions and a great number of merchants whose supply merchandise over the internet. As a result, it is difficult for entities to roam over every site on the internet and choose the best merchandise to trade. So, in this paper we introduced a mobile trade agent that visit the sites to gather and evaluate the information from merchant servers and decide to trade goods on behalf of the user. We observed that the combination of public key cryptosystem with distributed object technology make this proposed scheme more secure and efficient than the already existed schemes.

M‐commerce to support the implementation of a responsive supply chain network

PurposeThis paper proposes an infrastructure of a responsive supply chain network, focusing on the deployment of the m‐commerce technology which transforms a traditional supply chain network to be more effective in coping with market changes.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed supply chain infrastructure embraces the concepts of distributed object technology, wireless markup language (WML), and extensible markup language (XML) schema to enable efficient data exchange among various data objects which reside in distributed platforms over geographically‐isolated regions, thereby leveraging the responsiveness of the entire supply chain network. A case study is conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed model.FindingsRecent studies have found that wireless technology, mobile computing and internet programming techniques drive the development of mobile solution in various industries. Apart from location tracking of goods as well as relevant services, m‐commerce is able to play an important role to enhance the performance of a supply chain network, which is concerned with the proper monitoring of suppliers and production circles, encompassing a wide spectrum of value chain activities ranging from product design to after‐sales services.Originality/valueThe significance of this research is the demonstration of the synergy of using a combination of emerging technologies to form an integrated system that helps achieve flexibility and agility in supply chain network.

1P1-C32 モジュール型直動アクチュエータを利用した離床支援システムの開発 : 上位統合コントローラ構成

We have developed a motion-support system that helps a person when standing up from bed. In this paper, we report upper layer controller of the stand-up-from-bed motion support system, which is characterized by its synchronous control of the modularized actuators and software architecture based on distributed object technology.

A middleware service for employing and evaluating resource management algorithms in distributed networks

The first part of this paper introduces the design of a middleware-based service which is valuable for distributed networks for mainly managing their resources. The second part evaluates the performance of a distributed intelligent network (D-IN), which comprises the proposed service together with a resource management algorithm. We test the network's performance by building and emulating its basic functionality, based on distributed object technology (DOT), in a real environment. The resource management algorithm mainly aims at avoiding congestion and balancing load. Its implementation uses the ICALB algorithm (Comput. Commun. 2002; 25(17):1548–1556) model. Its incorporation is succeeded through the use and implementation of the distributed middleware-based service. It is a CORBA-based service that is used for successfully managing resource management algorithms, such as ICALB, facilitate their operation, and solving classes of problems related to communications over the distributed network, sharing of resources spread over the network, scheduling, synchronization, and management of various tasks. By this means we argue that the method that we use can be employed for operating in various distributed networks. We also evaluate the network's performance by measuring various D-IN node parameters with critical meaning and by showing the improvements that appeared to the D-IN from the operation of both the ICALB algorithm and the proposed service. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Virtual laboratory: A distributed collaborative environment

AbstractThis article proposes the design framework of a distributed, real‐time collaborative architecture. The architecture concept allows information to be fused, disseminated, and interpreted collaboratively among researchers who live across continents in real‐time. The architecture is designed based on the distributed object technology, DCOM. In our framework, every module can be viewed as an object. Each of these objects communicates and passes data with one another via a set of interfaces and connection points. We constructed the virtual laboratory based on the proposed architecture. The laboratory allows multiple analysts to collaboratively work through a standard web‐browser using a set of tools, namely, chat, whiteboard, audio/video exchange, file transfer and application sharing. Several existing technologies are integrated to provide collaborative functions, such as NetMeeting. Finally, the virtual laboratory quality evaluation is described with an example application of remote collaboration in satellite image fusion and analysis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 12: 44–53, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20008

Web services are not distributed objects

Web services are frequently described as the latest incarnation of distributed object technology. This misconception, perpetuated by people from both industry and academia, seriously limits broader acceptance of the true Web services architecture. Although the architects of many distributed and Internet systems have been vocal about the differences between Web services and distributed objects, dispelling the myth that they are closely related appears difficult. Many believe that Web services is a distributed systems technology that relies on some form of distributed object technology. Unfortunately, this is not the only common misconception about Web services. We seek to clarify several widely held beliefs about the technology that are partially or completely wrong. Within the distributed technology world, it is probably more appropriate to associate Web services with messaging technologies because they share a common architectural view, although they address different application types. Web services technology will have a dramatic enabling effect on worldwide interoperable distributed computing once everyone recognizes that Web services are about interoperable document-centric computing, not distributed objects.

Power System Information Delivering System Based on Distributed Object

In recent years, improvement in computer performance and development of computer network technology or the distributed information processing technology has a remarkable thing. Moreover, the deregulation is starting and will be spreading in the electric power industry in Japan. Consequently, power suppliers are required to supply low cost power with high quality services to customers. Corresponding to these movements the authors have been proposed SCOPE (System Configuration Of PowEr control system) architecture for distributed EMS/SCADA (Energy Management Systems / Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system based on distributed object technology, which offers the flexibility and expandability adapting those movements. In this paper, the authors introduce a prototype of the power system information delivering system, which was developed based on SCOPE architecture. This paper describes the architecture and the evaluation results of this prototype system. The power system information delivering system supplies useful power systems information such as electric power failures to the customers using Internet and distributed object technology. This system is new type of SCADA system which monitors failure of power transmission system and power distribution system with geographic information integrated way.

2P2-3F-D2 分散オブジェクト技術 HORB ベースドロボットコントローラ : Peer to peer リアルタイム通信への拡張

2P2-3F-D2 分散オブジェクト技術 HORB ベースドロボットコントローラ : Peer to peer リアルタイム通信への拡張

A distributed multiuser virtual space system

Today, in an era of increased Internet use, tools designed to help users communicate across the network have begun to proliferate. Interest in virtual 3D spaces is growing too. We outline a technique for directly transferring the necessary parameter information to express virtual human emotions across a network. We also discuss the methods required for constructing a system that can facilitate this kind of direct transfer using distributed object technology. We offer a method for integrating the services of our system and a constructed database of movements. Finally, we propose various quality-of-service (QoS) techniques for effective motion information transfer in our constructed system.

1A1-3F-C5 分散オブジェクト技術を用いたサービスロボットの開発

1A1-3F-C5 分散オブジェクト技術を用いたサービスロボットの開発

Research on the application of technology-oriented rapid response manufacturing in a distributed network environment

Rapid response manufacturing in a distributed network environment is a new manufactory pattern that can be used to implement the concept of agile design and manufacturing, but there are some new problems associated with it. In this paper, the authors establish some approaches to solve these problems in the product development process. The paper then presents research on key application technologies and solutions, which include a network safety strategy which ensures data transference among the leaguer members; production data management based on Web/DOT (distributed object technology) and XML criteria which ensure data exchange in structure-variance characteristic environments, the network platform which provides the conversion service of different types of CAD files. All these solutions aim for technology problems existing in distributed network environments and among the league members. Finally, the paper takes one project, i.e., the establishment of an online application service system for Shanghai Advance Manufacturing Technology Research Center as a good example.

Effortless software interoperability with Jini* connection technology

Software components of mixed and uncertain provenance are the reality for large software systems. As such, getting these components to work together to form an integrated software product is vital, but it is made enormously complex by the aggregate system's uncontrolled heterogeneity. This paper focuses on a software integration strategy based on Sun Microsystems' Jini∗ connection technology. Jini had initially been promoted as a technology for interconnecting embedded devices. The ease with which we have been able to use it to accomplish software integration shows that software, whatever its size or age, is really just another “device.” We discuss the reasons why we opted for distributed object technology over other enterprise application integration (EAI) solutions and the advantages of Jini over other distributed object platforms such as Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA∗) and Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM). We then describe techniques for achieving interoperability between CORBA and Jini and integrating generic “black-box” components. We also discuss the Dobos project, a Jini-based platform for building large distributed applications, and we close with examples showing how to use Dobos to integrate some historically stand-alone applications.

Application of Distributed Object Technology to Seismic Waveform Distribution

We develop a networked data distribution system for broadband seismic waveform data using Java RMI (Remote Method Invocation). Users can download data from various networks using a unified interface. There are two technical problems in building such a user-friendly system with a high capability for expansion: communication through firewalls and information synchronization between request interfaces. We solve these two problems using cgi (common gateway interface) filtering and the Directory Service, respectively. We are now distributing data from various Japanese broadband seismic networks (including PACIFIC21) together with data from BATS (Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology) and IRIS through the system. Digital seismic waveform data are being accumulated at an accelerating rate by various networks. Data analysis using these huge data sets is becoming increasingly common. For example, in the Western Pacific region, a large number of digital broadband seismographic stations have recently been installed by various institutions (Figure 1). If the data from these networks are appropriately combined, they effectively constitute a data set from a very dense broadband network. Such a data set should be very useful for determining seismic structure and earthquake source properties with high resolution. However, in the current waveform distribution system, such studies require somewhat tedious procedures for collecting the waveform data from different data centers, each of which has a different user interface. Looking at the field of computer science, distributed object technology (technology for distributing software modules to multiple computers on a network; The Object Management Group, 2000) is one of the most important technologies in modern system-programming practice, as it can handle a huge system in a straightforward manner. Java RMI (Gosling and Steele, 1996; Sun Microsystems, 1999) provides one of the most successful technologies to build a distributed object management system because of its high capability for expansion and security. …

A distributed computing approach to system dynamics

AbstractThis article describes ongoing research into the application of distributed computing technologies to system dynamics. To date, a distributed modelling environment has been constructed. This is designed to support geographically dispersed decision makers—for example, participants in a virtual organisation who may wish to examine scenarios for their interconnected value chain. The implementation is based on distributed object technology and is tested using a negative feedback model of a business supply chain. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.